Although OCHCA conducted a thorough investigation into the outbreak, the agency was not able to determine how E. coli O157:H7 was introduced to Souplantation. Investigators found that the E. coli outbreak could have originated through a contaminated food source and subsequent cross-contamination through inadequate food handling practices, or through an infected employee.
Marler Clark represented an elderly woman who became ill with E. coli and survived a lengthy hospitalization after eating at Souplantation in a claim against the restaurant which was resolved in early 2008. The firm represents an another client in a claim against Souplantation that has not yet been resolved.