The E. coli lawyers at Marler Clark filed the first E. coli O157:H7 lawsuit against National Steak and Poultry, an Oklahoma meat manufacturing facility, on January 21, 2010. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a 14-year-old Utah resident who became ill with an E. coli infection after eating a steak produced by national Steak and Poultry.
In December 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) became aware of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses linked to the consumption of National Steak and Poultry mechanically tenderized steaks. Following the discovery, National Steak and Poultry recalled approximately 248,000 pounds of steaks that had been distributed to restaurants nationwide.
Bloggers and food writers broke most of the story, and were first to report the extent of the outbreak and the number of states involved. Although the recall was issued on December 24th, the CDC did not post E. coli outbreak data until January 6.
FSIS ultimately connected 21 victims in 16 states to the consumption of steaks produced by National Steak and Poultry. Most E. coli victims became ill between mid October and mid December. Nine were hospitalized, and one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a life-threatening complication of E. coli infection. No deaths were reported.
E. coli lawyers at Marler Clark represented victims in this outbreak, achieving settlements covering medical expenses, wage loss, and pain and suffering. At this time, the cases have been successfully settled.
PRESS RELEASE:
Food Safety Attorney William Marler Calls for FSIS to Label Mechanically Tenderized Steaks
Marler Clark Files First E. coli Lawsuit Against National Steak and Poultry