---
title: Marler Clark Files First Lawsuit in Chopped Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreak
date: 2018-04-17T04:58:00-07:00
author: Bill Marler
canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/marler-clark-files-first-lawsuit-in-chopped-romaine-lettuce-e-coli-outbreak"
section: News
---
[All News](/news_events) / [Outbreaks](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) /

# Marler Clark Files First Lawsuit in Chopped Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreak

 

 

 (Seattle) The first lawsuit stemming from a multi-state outbreak of E. coli from chopped romaine lettuce was filed today in United States District Court in New Jersey. The complaint was filed on behalf of New Jersey resident Louise Fraser against Freshway Foods, Inc., and Panera, LLC. by William (Bill) Marler of the Food Safety Law Firm of Marler Clark. Marler Clark represents people in this outbreak from New Jersey, Idaho, New York, Missouri, Montana, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

On March 20, 2018 Ms. Fraser consumed a salad containing chopped romaine lettuce at a Panera restaurant in Raritan New Jersey. Her symptoms became three days later. After her diarrhea became bloody she was admitted to the hospital on March 25 where she was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome a type of acute kidney failure. She received multiple blood transfusions and was finally release on April 5. She is now recovering at home.

As of the April 13, 2018 announcement, thirty-five people had become ill in the outbreak from eleven states, including Connecticut (2), Idaho (8), Illinois (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (7), New York (2), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (9), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). In addition, the state of Montana reports as many as 8 sick and the state of Arizona reports 3.

“E. coli can be a deadly pathogen and can find its way into a food product like romaine lettuce that that is not hygienically manufactured,” said Bill Marler, managing partner at Marler Clark.

[Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm](http://www.marlerclark.com/), is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and [hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)](http://www.about-hus.com/). The [E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark](http://www.marlerclark.com/practice_areas/view/e-coli-o157h7-outbreak-litigation)have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $650 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products. The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s. We have proudly represented such victims as [Brianne Kiner](http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/28/health/28excerpt.html), [Stephanie Smith](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/health/04meat.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all)and [Linda Rivera](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/31/AR2009083103922.html).

If you or a family member became ill with an [E. coli](http://www.about-ecoli.com/)infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.

- [About E. coli – a complete online resource with information on symptoms and risks of E. coli infection](http://www.about-ecoli.com/)
- [Marler Clark E. coli Lawsuits and Litigation](http://www.ecolilitigation.com/)
- [A downloadable Family Health Guide on E. coli (PDF)](http://www.marlerclark.com/pdfs/ecoliBrochure.pdf)
- [E. coli informational video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_85Myb9Y3OA)
- [About Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](http://www.about-hus.com/)

Contact Bill Marler at <bmarler@marlerclark.com>or 1-206-794-5043 – **[1 – filed complaint](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/04/1-filed-complaint.pdf)**

  

### Other E. coli Lawsuits

 [Raw Farms linked to another Raw Milk Cheese E.coli Outbreak - 9 People sickened - Company refuses to recall product](https://marlerclark.com/raw-farms-linked-to-another-raw-milk-cheese-e-coli-outbreak-7-people-sickened)

 [10 with E. coli linked to Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/3-with-e-coli-linked-to-cheese)

 [Sycamore Pool in Chico California Contaminated with E.coli - Two teens in ICU](https://marlerclark.com/sycamore-pool-in-chico-california-contaminated-with-e-coli-two-teens-in-icu)

 [Deadly Nationwide E.coli Outbreak Linked to Grimmway Farms Organic Baby and Whole Carrots sickens 48](https://marlerclark.com/nationwide-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-grimmway-farms-organic-baby-and-whole-carrots)

 [E. coli Outbreak tied to Red Cow and Hen House Restaurants](https://marlerclark.com/e-coli-outbreak-tied-to-red-cow-and-hen-house-restaurants)

 [Rockwood Summit High School E. coli Outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/rockwood-summit-high-school-e-coli-outbreak)

 [McDonalds linked to 104 E. coli cases and 1 Death](https://marlerclark.com/mcdonalds-linked-to-nearly-50-e-coli-cases-and-1-death)

 [2 dead with 22 injured in E. coli Hamburger Outbreak in Montana](https://marlerclark.com/1-dead-with-13-injured-in-e-coli-hamburger-outbreak-in-montana)

 [E. coli Outbreak in Washington and California linked to Walnuts](https://marlerclark.com/e-coli-outbreak-in-washington-and-california-linked-to-walnuts)

 [Seattle PCC Market E. coli outbreak linked to Guacamole](https://marlerclark.com/seattle-ppc-market-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-guacamole)

 [11 with E. coli linked to Raw Milk LLC Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/10-with-e-coli-linked-to-raw-milk-llc-cheese)

 [Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli Outbreak sickens 35](https://marlerclark.com/miguels-cocina-4s-ranch-e-coli-outbreak)

 

 

 

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##### Get Help

   

#### Affected by an outbreak or recall?

The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more.

 [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) 

##### Related Resources

   

 

######  [E. coli Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-food-poisoning) 

What is E. coli and how does it cause food poisoning? Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a highly studied, common species of bacteria that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, so...

 

######  [E. coli O157:H7](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) 

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######  [Non-O157 STEC](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/non-o157-stec) 

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######  [Sources of E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) 

Where do E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) come from? The primary reservoirs, or ultimate sources, of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC in nature are...

 

######  [Transmission of and Infection with E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) 

While many dairy cattle-associated foodborne disease outbreaks are linked to raw milk and other raw dairy products (e.g., cheeses, butter, ice cream), dairy cattle still represent a source of contamination...

 

##### Outbreak Database

   

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The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more.

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  ](https://outbreakdatabase.com)
