--- title: Marler Clark retained by family of deceased Listeria victim date: 2023-07-21T18:45:00-07:00 author: Julie Dueck canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/marler-clark-retained-by-family-of-deceased-listeria-victim" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Press Releases](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/press-releases) / # Marler Clark retained by family of deceased Listeria victim SEATTLE, Wash. — Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department announced a Listeria outbreak in Western Washington which resulted in three deaths from an unknown source. Marler Clark, a law firm specializing in foodborne illness litigation, is representing the family of a victim in this tragic outbreak. “Listeria is a deadly bacterium causing over 300 deaths in the United States every year,” said Bill Marler of Marler Clark Inc., PS. Four of those sickened by Listeria were living in Pierce County and one resided in Thurston County. The two women and three men were reported to be in their 60s and 70s. All five known victims were hospitalized and three died. Genetic fingerprinting results indicate that these patients likely have the same source of infection, and public health officials are currently interviewing patients and family members to determine a common exposure. Patients became ill between February 27 and June 30, 2023. **What is Listeria?** Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacteria called Listeria. Washington state reports on average 10-25 listeriosis cases per year. The consumption of Listeria-contaminated food is the most common way people contract listeriosis. Following exposure, symptoms may develop within three to 70 days. Of those exposed, half will experience symptoms within three weeks. Symptoms of Listeria include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. If the infection spreads to the central nervous system, symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. **Who is most likely to get seriously ill from Listeria bacteria?** - Pregnant women: 20 times more likely to get listeriosis than the average healthy adult - Newborns - People with weak immune systems - People with cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease - People with AIDS: – 300 times more likely to get sick from Listeria than people with normal immune systems - People who take steroids - Elderly people **How to avoid exposure to Listeria:** - Wash raw vegetables well before consuming. - Cook meat thoroughly. - Separate uncooked meat from vegetables and cooked foods. - Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after exposure to uncooked food. - Eat perishable and ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible. **Foods to avoid:** - Do not eat hot dogs or lunch meats unless they are heated to a temperature sufficient to kill Listeria. - Avoid getting liquid from hot dog packages on other food. - Wash hands after handling hot dogs and lunch and deli meats. - Do not eat soft cheeses (e.g., feta, Brie, Camembert, blue cheese, and queso blanco) unless the label clearly states that they are pasteurized. - Do not eat refrigerated pâté or meat spread, only canned or shelf-stable ones. - Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood, sometimes labeled as “nova-style,” “lox,” “kippered,” or “jerky.” Canned or shelf-stable smoked seafood is ok. [Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm](http://www.marlerclark.com/), is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of [Listeria](https://about-listeria.com/) outbreaks. The [Listeria lawyers of Marler Clark](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) have represented thousands of victims of Listeria and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $850 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our Listeria lawyers have litigated [Listeria](https://about-listeria.com/) cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as lettuce, polony, deli meat, cantaloupe, cheese, celery, and milk. If you or a family member became ill with a Listeria infection and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact Marler Clark at 206-346-1888 or email Bill Marler at . ### Other Listeria Lawsuits [Kroger and Walmart Pasta Listeria Outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/kroger-and-walmart-pasta-listeria-outbreak) [Listeria Outbreak linked to Kroger and Walmart Chicken Fettuccine](https://marlerclark.com/listeria-outbreak-linked-to-kroger-and-walmart-chicken-fettuccine) [Fresh & Ready Foods linked to California and Nevada Listeria Outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/fresh-ready-foods-linked-to-california-and-nevida-listeria-outbreak) [14 Listeria Deaths tied to Lyons ReadyCare or Sysco Shakes](https://marlerclark.com/11-listeria-deaths-tied-to-lyons-readycare-or-sysco) [Boar's Head Deli Meat Sickens 61 in 19 States with Deadly Listeria - 10 deaths](https://marlerclark.com/deli-meat-hits-28-in-12-states-with-deadly-listeria) [Rizo-López Foods recalls cheese after deadly Listeria 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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. [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) ##### Related Resources ###### [Listeria Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/about-listeria) What is Listeria and how does it cause food poisoning? Listeria is a gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that is ubiquitous and can grow under either anaerobic (without oxygen) or aerobic (with... ###### [The Incidence of Listeria Infections](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/the-incidence-of-listeria-infections) How common are Listeria infections? Listeria bacteria are found widely in the environment in soil, including in decaying vegetation and water, and may be part of the fecal flora of... ###### [The Prevalence of Listeria in Food and the Environment](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-prevalence) Listeria bacteria are common in nature. Listeria monocytogenes is omnipresent in nature; it is found widely in such places as water, soil, infected animals, human and animal feces, raw and... ###### [Transmission of and Infection with Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/transmission-of-and-infection-with-listeria) Listeria typically spreads to people through contaminated food or water, but can also be transmitted from mother to fetus. Except for the transmission of mother to fetus, human-to-human transmission of... ###### [Who is Most at Risk of Becoming Ill with Listeria?](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/who-is-most-at-risk-for-becoming-ill-with-listeria) The elderly, pregnant women, and anyone immunocompromised is most at risk for contracting Listeria. Several segments of the population are at increased risk and need to be informed so that... ##### Outbreak Database #### Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks? 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. [ View Outbreak Database ](https://outbreakdatabase.com)