In 1998, the Skagit County Health Department (SCHD) learned that several area residents had been diagnosed with hepatitis A and began an outbreak investigation. During its investigation into the source of the hepatitis A outbreak, SCHD determined that the outbreak had occurred among patrons of the Mt. Vernon, Washington, McDonald’s restaurant. Further investigation led to the conclusion that an assistant manager who had worked at the McDonald’s while infected with hepatitis A had contaminated food served to the restaurant’s patrons. Marler Clark represented a woman who became severely ill with hepatitis A after eating food prepared at the Mount Vernon McDonald’s restaurant and was hospitalized several times as a result of her infection in a claim against McDonald’s. Her claim was resolved in 2000.
PRESS RELEASE:McDonald’s Franchise Faces Claims from Hepatitis A Victims