My Food Poisoning Lawyer

CDC Reports Investigative Techniques Used to Isolate Source of Mexican-Style Fast Food Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report detailing the processes involved in isolating the source of the recent (October 2011-January 2012) outbreak of Salmonella strain Enteritidis.

The process involved cooperation between agencies at the federal, state, and local levels.  These efforts resulted in the CDC’s conclusion that the outbreak was related to the consumption of food from a Mexican-style fast food restaurant chain.  The agency has yet to identify the name of the chain, and is instead calling it “Restaurant Chain A.”

Of the 68 individuals who have been linked to the strain of Salmonella involved in the outbreak, the CDC had access to the data for 52 individuals.  Of those persons, 60% reported eating at the implicated restaurant chain within 7 days of becoming ill.  To contrast with the general population, among other individuals who did not become ill, only 17% reported eating at “Restaurant Chain A” in the week before illness onset – a very stark difference in figures.  Further, the CDC released that 3 individual franchises (locations) were involved in more than one case of outbreak-related illness. 

Due to the common ingredients used in menu items at the restaurant chain, the CDC was unable to identify a specific food as the source of illness.  However, the report does include the following figures: of the individuals who fell ill (for whom data were available), 94% reported eating ground beef, 90% reported eating lettuce, 77% reported eating cheese, and 35% reported that they consumed tomatoes. 

Despite the fact that the most commonly reported ingredient was beef, the CDC says that the epidemic curve in this outbreak is “consistent with those observed in past produce-related outbreaks” because of the sharp increase and subsequent decline in illnesses reported over the span of one to two months.  The CDC further opined that ground beef was “an unlikely source due to the handling and cooking processes used” by the restaurant chain.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) attempted to use information about supply truck delivery routes and schedules – including various shipping records of suspected and other foods to the restaurant locations – to identify the exact food source of the outbreak.  The franchise locations associated with more than one outbreak case were located on two different shipping routes, and comparison of the lists of suspected foods received by these locations didn’t show any commonalities across a number of different suppliers.

The outbreak has been associated with 68 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis across 10 states, with the majority of cases reported in Texas (43) and Oklahoma (16).

Mexican-Style Fast Food Linked to Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak

The CDC recently reported that 68 individuals in 10 states have been infected with Salmonella Enteritidis linked to the consumption of food from an as yet unnamed Mexican-style fast food restaurant chain, which the agency is calling “Restaurant Chain A.”

The largest number of outbreak cases were reported in Texas, which confirmed 43 cases of the outbreak strain.   Oklahoma has reported 16 cases.

The 68 confirmed victims are distributed across the United States as follows: persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 10 states between October 13, 2011 and January 19, 2012.  The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Texas (43), Oklahoma (16), Kansas (2), Iowa (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (1), Ohio (1), and Tennessee (1).

The first confirmed illness had an onset date of October 13, 2011.  The youngest outbreak victim was under one year of age, and the most elderly was 79 at the time of onset.  The median age was 25, and the majority (54%) of cases involved females. 31% of outbreak victims for whom information was available had to be hospitalized as a result of their illness.  Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported from an outbreak-related illness as of this date.

The CDC speculates that the outbreak appears to be over as of the date of the report, and does not expect that any illnesses occurred after January 19, 2012.

According to preliminary information released by the CDC, the illness stems from food eaten at a certain restaurant chain that sells Mexican-style fast food (identified by the Centers for Disease Control as “Restaurant Chain A”).  No specific food was isolated as the source of illness, but the CDC reports that the contamination of the food most likely occurred before the product reached the restaurant locations.

If you Contracted Salmonella Let Simon & Luke Help You

If you or a loved one contracted salmonella after, and have been contacted by the health department, then you may be related to an outbreak.  If so, you may be entitled to significant compensation, including payment for all of your past and future medical bills, pharmacy bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other damages.

Simon & Luke’s groundbreaking work on behalf of victims in national food borne illness outbreaks has paved the way for numerous upgrades to the US food safety system.  Some of the recent outbreaks in which Simon & Luke has represented clients include:

• ConAgra Peter Pan peanut butter – Salmonella Tennessee
• ConAgra pot pies – Salmonella I 4, [5], 12:i:-
• National water supplier – Bacillus cereus
• Castleberry’s chili – Botulism
• Sushi King – Salmonella Enteritidis
• National Hotel – Norovirus
• Union Foods / Harris Freeman white pepper – Salmonella Rissen
• Nestle cookie dough – E. coli O157:H7
• Peanut Corporation of America Peanut products – Salmonella Typhimurium
• JBS Swift beef – E. coli 0157:H7
• Golden Nugget Casino – Salmonella Javiana
• Freshway Foods romaine lettuce – E. coli 0145
• Subway sandwiches – Shigella
• Luxe Burger hamburgers – Salmonella Newport
• Daniele salami – Salmonella Montevideo
• Subway sandwiches – Salmonella Hvittingfoss
• Brother’s Deli – Salmonella Enteritidis
• Sangar celery – Listeria monocytogenes
• Sprout outbreak – Listeria monocytogenes
• Wright County Egg / Hillandale Farms eggs – Salmonella Enteritidis
• Tiny Greens / Jimmy John’s alfalfa sprouts – Salmonella I 4, [5], 12:i:-
• SOL Energy Drinks – Bacterial contamination
• Rolf’s Patisserie – Staph Aureus
• Lavon Farms – Salmonella Meunster
• Jason’s Deli – E. coli O157:H7
• Cargill ground turkey – Salmonella Heidelberg
• Agromod papayas – Salmonella Agona
• Rite Aid cookies – Bacillus cereus
• Church’s fried chicken nuggets – Salmonella Enteritidis
• El Gran Burrito tacos – Salmonella Newport
• Jensen Farms – Listeria monocytogenes
• Schnucks romaine lettuce – E. coli 0157:H7
• Hannaford ground beef – Salmonella Typhimurium

Ron Simon’s work and commentary on these outbreaks has been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and virtually all other major television networks and print media.

The firm has represented over 5000 victims of food-borne outbreaks in the past four years alone, and has collected over $500,000,000 for its clients.

The firm regularly publishes articles about food safety and litigation at www.myfoodpoisoninglawyer.com, which are read by viewers in over 150 countries.

Simon & Luke is the only law firm in Texas that focuses on the prosecution of food poisoning claims.

Simon & Luke’s salmonella lawyers and attorneys can help you with your Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak, claim, lawsuit, and settlement in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee, and all other affected areas.

If you have questions or information about this outbreak, please call us toll free at 1-888-335-4901 or contact us by email at ron@simonluke.com – we are here to help you.

Simon & Luke Prosecuting Tainted Turkey Claims

Houston-based food safety law firm Simon & Luke has filed more claims against Cargill on behalf of victims who contracted Salmonella Heidelberg after consuming ground turkey manufactured by the company.  The claims were filed on behalf of residents of Michigan, South Dakota, Arizona, and Illinois.  In August, the firm filed the first lawsuit in the United States against Cargill relating to the outbreak. 

Salmonella-Tainted Turkey – 136 victims in 34 States

A total of 136 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg have been reported from 34 states.  The number of victims identified in each state was as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Arizona (3), California (7), Colorado (4), Connecticut (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (16), Indiana (2), Iowa (2), Kansas (3), Kentucky (2), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (4), Maryland (1), Michigan (12), Minnesota (2), Mississippi (2), Missouri (7), Nebraska (2), Nevada (1), New Jersey (1), New York (3), North Carolina (4), Ohio (12), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (8), South Dakota (3), Tennessee (2), Texas (18), Utah (1), Vermont (1), and Wisconsin (4).

Illness onset dates range between February 27 and September 13, 2011.  The victims range in age from from less than 1 year to 90 years old, with a median age of 23 years old.  Fifty-seven percent are male.  Approximately 38% of the victims were hospitalized.  One death has been reported in Sacramento County, California.

The Investigation into the Salmonella Heidelberg Outbreak

A collaborative effort between state, local, and federal health agencies was able to determine that ground turkey manufactured by Cargill was the source of this outbreak.  

Cultures of five ground turkey samples purchased from five retail locations between March 7 and June 27, 2011 yielded Salmonella Heidelberg matching the outbreak strains.  All of these products originated from the Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation located in Springdale, Arkansas.

Other samples taken from victims’ homes in Ohio and New Mexico yielded the two Salmonella Heidelberg strains involved in this outbreak (genetic codes JF6X01.0058 and JF6X01.0032).

Salmonella Heidelberg Outbreak Strains are Resistant to Antibiotics

The strain involved in this outbreak are resistant to antibiotics including ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and gentamicin. Testing results indicated that isolates were sensitive to several common antibiotics used in clinical practice such as ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.  Antimicrobial resistance can increase the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals.

Cargill Issues Two Tainted Turkey Recalls – One Recall Just Wasn’t Enough

On August 3, 2011, Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, a Springdale, Arkansas, establishment, recalled over 36 million pounds of ground turkey products that were potentially contaminated with Salmonella Heidelberg.  The recalled products are all ground turkey and bore the establishment number “P-963″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Then on September 11, 2011, Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation recalled another 185,000 pounds of ground turkey products after product samples at the plant tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg.

About Salmonella Heidelberg

Over the past decade, Salmonella Heidelberg has caused large outbreaks of foodborne illness in nursing homes, hospitals, and the community at large.

The primary reservoir of Salmonella Heidelberg is poultry.  Some studies cite data indicating that it is found exclusively in poultry meats.  Case-control studies implicating table eggs and chicken meat as the main sources of Salmonella Heidelberg infections support the notion of poultry as the major reservoir of human infections in the United States and Canada.

Surveillance data from 2002-2006 using a sample of 20,295 retail raw meats indicated that almost all isolates of Salmonella Heidelberg were from poultry.  In addition to the 59.7% isolated from ground turkey, 36.9% were isolated from chicken breast, bringing the total of Salmonella Heidelberg isolates from poultry meat to 96.6%.  Only 3.4% of isolates were recovered from pork; none were recovered from ground beef.

Comparatively little is known about Salmonella Heidelberg infections in humans.  The organism, commonly seen in North America, was not among the 15 top serotypes seen in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Israel, or New Zealand in a study performed in 2000.  And as late as 2008, Salmonella Heidelberg was not among the top six serotypes in continents other than North America.

However, Salmonella Heidelberg is common within the United States and Canada: in 2003, it was the fourth most common Salmonella serotype isolated from food animals, and the fifth most commonly isolated from humans.  By 2004, it was the fourth most commonly isolated from humans.  In both 2003 and 2004, Salmonella Heidelberg was the most common serotype found in retail meats.

Infections with Salmonella Heidelberg have been associated with severe disease symptoms, including extraintestinal infections, septicemia, and myocarditis.  According to data from Canada’s National Enteric Surveillance Program, it is the Salmonella serotype most frequently isolated from blood.

Salmonella Heidelberg has also been noted for its drug resistance.  According to one study, resistance to ceftiofur with decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone has increased in recent years.  These strains are also commonly resistant to streptomycin, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.  Strains of Salmonella Heidelberg that are multiple drug resistant (MDR) are of particular import given the serotype’s propensity to produce severe infections.  In one academic study, the most extensive resistance patterns were found among strains of Salmonella Heidelberg isolated from turkeys, with some resistance patterns showing resistance to nine or more antimicrobials.

First Ground Turkey Salmonella Lawsuit Against Cargill Filed by Texas Food Poisoning Attorney Ron Simon

Ron Simon of Simon & Luke filed the first salmonella lawsuit stemming from this Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak.  The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on behalf of 38-year old Arizona resident David Taber.

In early June, a few days after consuming ground turkey, Mr. Taber began to experience severe vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.  After multiple trips to his family physician and a local Urgent Care Center – neither of which led to any alleviation of his symptoms – he was rushed via ambulance to the emergency room at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center on June 12, 2011.  Doctors immediately admitted him to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute colitis, but could not determine the cause of his illness.

On the third day of his hospital stay, David got the answer he was looking for: his blood culture came back positive for salmonella, and that is what was making him so sick.  Because the deadly bacteria had already spread to his bloodstream, the infection was septic and had become life-threatening.  He remained at the hospital for several days, and was eventually discharged on June 18.  He is still recovering from his illness.

The Arizona Department of Health Services Laboratory later confirmed that Mr. Taber’s blood culture tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg.

Cargill – A History of Tainted Meat

Unfortunately, this is not Cargill’s first meat recall.  Since 1993, Cargill and its subsidiaries have recalled over 58 million pounds of tainted meat in 10 separate outbreaks, which resulted in at least 323 confirmed illnesses as outlined below:

If you Contracted Salmonella Let Simon & Luke Help You

If you or a loved one contracted salmonella after eating ground turkey, and have been contacted by the health department, then you are likely related to this outbreak.  If so, you are entitled to significant compensation from Cargill and its insurers, including payment for all of your past and future medical bills, pharmacy bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other damages.

Simon & Luke’s groundbreaking work on behalf of victims in national food borne illness outbreaks has paved the way for numerous upgrades to the US food safety system.  Some of the recent outbreaks in which Simon & Luke has represented clients include:

• ConAgra Peter Pan peanut butter – Salmonella Tennessee
• ConAgra pot pies – Salmonella I 4, [5], 12:i:-
• National water supplier – Bacillus cereus
• Castleberry’s chili – Botulism
• Sushi King – Salmonella Enteritidis
• National Hotel – Norovirus
• Union Foods / Harris Freeman white pepper – Salmonella Rissen
• Nestle cookie dough – E. coli O157:H7
• Peanut Corporation of America Peanut products – Salmonella Typhimurium
• JBS Swift beef – E. coli 0157:H7
• Golden Nugget Casino – Salmonella Javiana
• Freshway Foods romaine lettuce – E. coli 0145
• Subway sandwiches – Shigella
• Luxe Burger hamburgers – Salmonella Newport
• Daniele salami – Salmonella Montevideo
• Subway sandwiches – Salmonella Hvittingfoss
• Brother’s Deli – Salmonella Enteritidis
• Sangar celery – Listeria monocytogenes
• Sprout outbreak – Listeria monocytogenes
• Wright County Egg / Hillandale Farms eggs – Salmonella Enteritidis
• Tiny Greens / Jimmy John’s alfalfa sprouts – Salmonella I 4, [5], 12:i:-
• SOL Energy Drinks – Bacterial contamination
• Rolf’s Patisserie – Staph Aureus
• Lavon Farms – Salmonella Meunster
• Jason’s Deli – E. coli O157:H7
• Cargill ground turkey – Salmonella Heidelberg
• Agromod papayas – Salmonella Agona
• Rite Aid cookies – Bacillus cereus
• Church’s fried chicken nuggets – Salmonella Enteritidis
• El Gran Burrito tacos – Salmonella Newport
• Jensen Farms – Listeria monocytogenes
• Schnucks romaine lettuce – E. coli 0157:H7
• Hannaford ground beef – Salmonella Typhimurium

Ron Simon’s work and commentary on these outbreaks has been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and virtually all other major television networks and print media.

The firm has represented over 5000 victims of food-borne outbreaks in the past four years alone, and has collected over $500,000,000 for its clients.

The firm regularly publishes articles about food safety and litigation at www.myfoodpoisoninglawyer.com, which are read by viewers in over 150 countries.

We represent several victims in this ground turkey salmonella outbreak, and filed the first lawsuit nationwide against Cargill.

Simon & Luke’s salmonella lawyers and attorneys can help you with your Cargill ground turkey Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak, claim, lawsuit, and settlement in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, and all other affected areas.  

If you have questions or information about this outbreak, please call us toll free at 1-888-335-4901 or contact us by email at ron@simonluke.com – we are here to help you.

Hannaford Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak Expands to 19 Victims

The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to eating ground beef purchased from Hannaford Supermarkets.

The outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium is resistant to several commonly prescribed antibiotics. This antibiotic resistance may be associated with an increase in the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals.

Through January 5, the CDC has identified a total of 19 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium.  the individuals reside in 7 states, as follows: Hawaii (1), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (1), Maine (4), New Hampshire (6), New York (5), and Vermont (1).  The illnesses began on or after October 8, 2011.  Victims range in age from 1 year to 79 years old, with a median age of 44 years old.  Fifty-three percent are male.  So far, 7 have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.

Hannaford Salmonella Strain Resistant To Antibiotics – Officials Concerned

The Hannaford strain of Salmonella Typhimurium has developed a resistance to antibiotics that is concerning health officials.  As of January 5, 2012, investigators collected isolates from 5 ill persons,  and found that the isolates are resistant to multiple antibiotics, including amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, cefoxitin, kanamycin, streptomycin, and sulfisoxazole; some are also resistant to tetracycline.

Isolates are sensitive to several common antibiotics used in clinical practice such as ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.  This antimicrobial resistance can increase the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals.

Hannaford Salmonella Victims in New Hampshire Represented by Simon & Luke

National food safety law firm Simon & Luke has already been retained by several of the 19 confirmed victims of the Hannaford Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak.  The firm was retained last week by the Dugan family of Manchester, New Hampshire.

On October 31, the Dugans purchased ground beef from the local Hannaford grocery store in Manchester.  Mr. Dugan cooked the ground beef and placed it into a spaghetti sauce which he served for family dinner on November 1.  The next day, his wife began to experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdomen pain, and fever.  When the symptoms did not subside, she was forced to seek help from the Elliot Urgent Care Center.  There, she provided a stool culture which later came back positive for Salmonella Typhimurium.  Officials from the Manchester Health Department informed her that her salmonella isolate was a genetic match to the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to Hannaford’s ground beef.

Mrs. Dugan is still under the care of her primary care physician as the effects of her salmonella illness persist.   Although her husband and son also contracted salmonella poisoning, their illnesses were not as serious and they have since recovered.

Ron Simon Calls Upon Hannaford to Pay All Medical Expense and Lost Wages of Victims

This morning, food safety lawyer Ron Simon called upon Hannaford to immediately begin paying all medical expenses and lost wages to the families of those who had fallen ill: “When a company sells a product that poisons our citizens, the company should step up and do what’s right – and that includes paying all medical bills and lost wages incurred by the victims.  Simon & Luke will make sure that happens for all of the clients we represent, along with enough money to compensate all of the victims for what they have had to endure.”

Hannaford Issues Ground Beef Recall – Officials Find Lack of Records Disturbing

On December 15, 2011, Hannaford, a Scarborough, Maine-based grocery chain, issued a recall of an undetermined amount of fresh ground beef products with sell-by dates of December 17, 2011 or earlier.

Based on an examination of Hannaford’s limited records, the FSIS was unable to determine the suppliers of the contaminated ground beef.  Accordingly, the FSIS has not yet been able to identify FSIS-regulated suppliers of raw beef ground at Hannaford Stores related to the outbreak that could be subject to recall action. The FSIS is now pursuing rulemaking options to address this safety concern.

Hannaford, which has 179 stores in the Northeast, contends that it complies with industry standards for record-keeping.

Hannaford Alters Its Meat Grinding Process

On Thursday night, Michael Norton, a spokesman for Hannaford, said, “We are now doing more than what’s required and we were doing before.”

Norton said Hannaford has simplified its grinding practices so that its records will be clear about the source of the ground beef.

Before the recall, some packages of ground beef contained meat from more than one source, which is allowed by the USDA.  Norton said that Hannaford stopped that practice on Dec. 15.

If you Contracted Salmonella Let Simon & Luke Help You

If you or a loved one contracted salmonella after eating ground beef from Hannaford stores, and have been contacted by the health department, then you are likely related to this outbreak.  If so, you are entitled to significant compensation from Hannaford and its insurers, including payment for all of your past and future medical bills, pharmacy bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other damages.

Simon & Luke’s groundbreaking work on behalf of victims in national food borne illness outbreaks has paved the way for numerous upgrades to the US food safety system.  Some of the recent outbreaks in which Simon & Luke has represented clients include:

• ConAgra Peter Pan peanut butter – Salmonella Tennessee
• ConAgra pot pies – Salmonella I 4, [5], 12:i:-
• National water supplier – Bacillus cereus
• Castleberry’s chili – Botulism
• Sushi King – Salmonella Enteritidis
• National Hotel – Norovirus
• Union Foods / Harris Freeman white pepper – Salmonella Rissen
• Nestle cookie dough – E. coli O157:H7
• Peanut Corporation of America Peanut products – Salmonella Typhimurium
• JBS Swift beef – E. coli 0157:H7
• Golden Nugget Casino – Salmonella Javiana
• Freshway Foods romaine lettuce – E. coli 0145
• Subway sandwiches – Shigella
• Luxe Burger hamburgers – Salmonella Newport
• Daniele salami – Salmonella Montevideo
• Subway sandwiches – Salmonella Hvittingfoss
• Brother’s Deli – Salmonella Enteritidis
• Sangar celery – Listeria monocytogenes
• Sprout outbreak – Listeria monocytogenes
• Wright County Egg / Hillandale Farms eggs – Salmonella Enteritidis
• Tiny Greens / Jimmy John’s alfalfa sprouts – Salmonella I 4, [5], 12:i:-
• SOL Energy Drinks – Bacterial contamination
• Rolf’s Patisserie – Staph Aureus
• Lavon Farms – Salmonella Meunster
• Jason’s Deli – E. coli O157:H7
• Cargill ground turkey – Salmonella Heidelberg
• Agromod papayas – Salmonella Agona
• Rite Aid cookies – Bacillus cereus
• Church’s fried chicken nuggets – Salmonella Enteritidis
• El Gran Burrito tacos – Salmonella Newport
• Jensen Farms – Listeria monocytogenes
• Schnucks romaine lettuce – E. coli 0157:H7
• Hannaford ground beef – Salmonella Typhimurium

Ron Simon’s work and commentary on these outbreaks has been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and virtually all other major television networks and print media.

The firm has represented over 3000 victims of food-borne outbreaks in the past four years alone, and has collected over $500,000,000 for its clients.

The firm regularly publishes articles about food safety and litigation at www.myfoodpoisoninglawyer.com, which are read by viewers in over 150 countries.

Simon & Luke Accepting Hannaford Ground Beef Salmonella Cases – Call Us Toll-Free

Simon & Luke is actively investigating this Hannaford ground beef salmonella outbreak and represents several victims who have become ill from salmonella poisoning.  Simon & Luke’s salmonella and food poisoning lawyers and attorneys can help you with your Hannaford ground beef salmonella outbreak, claim, lawsuit, and settlement in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and all other affected areas.

If you have questions or information about this outbreak, please call us toll free at 1-888-335-4901 or contact us by email at ron@simonluke.com – we are here to help you.

Hannaford Salmonella Victims in New Hampshire Represented by Simon & Luke

National food safety law firm Simon & Luke has been retained by 3 victims of the recent Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak linked to ground beef from Hannaford stores in the northeastern United States.

The victims are Bob and Nancy Dugan, and their son Neal, who live in Manchester, New Hampshire.

On October 31, the Dugans purchased ground beef from the local Hannaford grocery store in Manchester.  Bob cooked the ground beef and placed it into a spaghetti sauce which he served for family dinner on November 1.  The next day, Nancy began to experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdomen pain, and fever.  When the symptoms did not subside, she was forced to seek help from the Elliot Urgent Care Center.  There, she provided a stool culture which later came back positive for Salmonella Typhimurium.  Officials from the Manchester Health Department informed her that her salmonella isolate was a genetic match to the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to Hannaford’s ground beef.

Nancy is still under the care of her primary care physician as the effects of her salmonella illness persist.   Although Bob and Neal Dugan also contracted salmonella poisoning, their illnesses were not as serious and they have since recovered.

The Hannaford Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak – Now 18 Victims in 7 States

On December 20, the US Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) identified 16 persons in 7 states who had become ill with an identical strain of Salmonella Typhimurium after consuming ground beef from Hannaford.  The number of victims in each state were as follows: HI (1), KY (1), MA (1), ME (4), NH (4), NY (4), and VT (1). Illnesses began on or after October 8, 2011.  The victims ranged in age from 1 year to 79 years old, with a median age of 45 years old.  Fifty percent were male. Over half were hospitalized, and no deaths were reported.

Kate Levinson, a spokeswoman for the CDC, said Friday that two additional cases have been identified since the December 20 update.  She added that the CDC plans to update the public next week on the status of its investigation.

Of great concern to health officials is the fact that this particular strain of Salmonella Typhimurium is resistant to several commonly prescribed antibiotics, including drug classes such as beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, and cephalosporins.  Health officials believe that this explains an increase in the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals.

Hannaford Issues Ground Beef Recall – Officials Find Lack of Records Disturbing

On December 15, 2011, Hannaford, a Scarborough, Maine-based grocery chain, issued a recall of an undetermined amount of fresh ground beef products with sell-by dates of December 17, 2011 or earlier.

Based on an examination of Hannaford’s limited records, the US Food Safety and Inspection Service (“FSIS”) was unable to determine the suppliers of the contaminated ground beef.  Accordingly, the FSIS has not yet been able to identify FSIS-regulated suppliers of raw beef ground at Hannaford Stores related to the outbreak that could be subject to recall action. The FSIS is now pursuing rulemaking options to address this safety concern.

Hannaford, which has 179 stores in the Northeast, contends that it complies with industry standards for record-keeping.

Yesterday, the Press Herald reported that Neil Gaffney, press officer for the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service in Washington, D.C., said Friday that he was working to get answers to some questions surrounding the ground beef suppliers by next week.

If you Contracted Salmonella Let Simon & Luke Help You

If you or a loved one contracted salmonella after eating ground beef from Hannaford stores, and have been contacted by the health department, then you are likely related to this outbreak.  If so, you are entitled to significant compensation from Hannaford and its insurers, including payment for all of your past and future medical bills, pharmacy bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other damages.

Simon & Luke’s groundbreaking work on behalf of victims in national food borne illness outbreaks has paved the way for numerous upgrades to the US food safety system.  Some of the recent outbreaks in which Simon & Luke has represented clients include:

• ConAgra Peter Pan peanut butter – Salmonella Tennessee
• ConAgra pot pies – Salmonella I 4, [5], 12:i:-
• National water supplier – Bacillus cereus
• Castleberry’s chili – Botulism
• Sushi King – Salmonella Enteritidis
• National Hotel – Norovirus
• Union Foods / Harris Freeman white pepper – Salmonella Rissen
• Nestle cookie dough – E. coli O157:H7
• Peanut Corporation of America Peanut products – Salmonella Typhimurium
• JBS Swift beef – E. coli 0157:H7
• Golden Nugget Casino – Salmonella Javiana
• Freshway Foods romaine lettuce – E. coli 0145
• Subway sandwiches – Shigella
• Luxe Burger hamburgers – Salmonella Newport
• Daniele salami – Salmonella Montevideo
• Subway sandwiches – Salmonella Hvittingfoss
• Brother’s Deli – Salmonella Enteritidis
• Sangar celery – Listeria monocytogenes
• Sprout outbreak – Listeria monocytogenes
• Wright County Egg / Hillandale Farms eggs – Salmonella Enteritidis
• Tiny Greens / Jimmy John’s alfalfa sprouts – Salmonella I 4, [5], 12:i:-
• SOL Energy Drinks – Bacterial contamination
• Rolf’s Patisserie – Staph Aureus
• Lavon Farms – Salmonella Meunster
• Jason’s Deli – E. coli O157:H7
• Cargill ground turkey – Salmonella Heidelberg
• Agromod papayas – Salmonella Agona
• Rite Aid cookies – Bacillus cereus
• Church’s fried chicken nuggets – Salmonella Enteritidis
• El Gran Burrito tacos – Salmonella Newport
• Jensen Farms – Listeria monocytogenes
• Schnucks romaine lettuce – E. coli 0157:H7
• Hannaford ground beef – Salmonella Typhimurium

Ron Simon’s work and commentary on these outbreaks has been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and virtually all other major television networks and print media.

The firm has represented over 3000 victims of food-borne outbreaks in the past four years alone, and has collected over $500,000,000 for its clients.

The firm regularly publishes articles about food safety and litigation at www.myfoodpoisoninglawyer.com, which are read by viewers in over 150 countries.

Simon & Luke Accepting Hannaford Salmonella Cases – Call Us Toll-Free

Simon & Luke is actively investigating this Hannaford ground beef salmonella outbreak and represents several victims who have become ill from salmonella poisoning.  Simon & Luke’s salmonella and food poisoning lawyers and attorneys can help you with your Hannaford ground beef salmonella outbreak, claim, lawsuit, and settlement in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and all other affected areas.

If you have questions or information about this outbreak, please call us toll free at 1-888-335-4901 or contact us by email at ron@simonluke.com – we are here to help you.

Simon & Luke Collects Ground Beef E. coli Settlements

The E. coli lawyers at Simon & Luke today announced that they have collected settlements on behalf of 2 California residents who had become ill from E. coli 0157:H7 after consuming contaminated beef manufactured by JBS Swift of Greeley, Colorado.  Both clients had filed lawsuits against the company earlier this year.

The cases were settled after intense negotiations and a mediation in California.  Terms of the settlements were confidential.

Managing partner Ron Simon issued the following statement: “Our clients commend JBS Swift for stepping up and getting these cases resolved.  Everyone can now move forward and put this tragedy behind them.”

The firm has now collected settlements on behalf of all clients injured in the outbreak.

About the JBS Swift Beef Outbreak – 23 Sickened in 9 states

In all, the JBS Swift E. coli outbreak claimed 23 victims in 9 states.

The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: California (4), Maine (1), Michigan (6), Minnesota (1), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (2), New Mexico (1), New York (1) and Wisconsin (6).

Most ill persons could specifically recall consumption of ground beef traced back to the JBS Swift processing plant in Greeley.  Samples from unopened packages of ground beef recovered from a victim’s home were tested by the Michigan Public Health Laboratory yielded an E. coli O157:H7 isolate that matched the DNA fingerprint of the outbreak strain.

The first reported illness began on April 2, 2009, and the last began on June 13, 2009.  Of the ill persons for whom hospitalization status is known, 70% were hospitalized.  Two victims developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).  No deaths were reported. Of patients with available information, 64% were male and 59% were less than 19 years old (range 2 to 74 years).

JBS Swift Issues Two Recalls – 420,000 pounds of beef products contaminated

On June 24, in response to the mounting evidence of widespread contamination of the beef products, the FSIS announced a recall of 41,280 pounds of beef products from JBS Swift Beef Company due to contamination with E. coli O157:H7.

On June 28, JBS Swift expanded the recall to include 380,000 additional pounds of assorted pieces of beef (beef primal products).  Health officials in several states who were investigating reports of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses found that most ill persons had consumed ground beef produced at JBS Swift’s Greeley, Colorado slaughterhouse.

Most of the beef packages in the first recall bore the establishment number “Est. 969″ inside the USDA mark of inspection and had identifying package dates of “042109″ or “042209.”  The pieces of beef (primal beef products) in the expanded recall were produced on April 21, 2009, and were distributed nationally and internationally.  Boxes of these pieces of beef bore the establishment number “EST. 969″ inside the USDA mark of inspection, the identifying package date of “042109,” and a time stamp ranging from “0618″ to “1130.”  These pieces of beef were sold to retail stores nationwide after April 21, 2009, and some was probably cut again or made into ground beef, then re-packaged, so not all packages purchased by consumers had identifying information.

About JBS Swift

JBS Swift is the largest animal protein processor in the world.  The company has 140 production facilities worldwide, over 120,000 employees, and processing plants in Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Australia, USA, Uruguay, Paraguay, Mexico, China and Russia.

Simon & Luke – Food Safety Lawyers who Can Help You

Ron Simon and Simon & Luke have represented thousands of people across the United States who have been victimized by contaminated food products.  We have recovered over $500,000,000 for our clients.

Our E. coli lawyers and attorneys can help you with your E. coli and food poisoning claim, lawsuit, and settlement all over the U.S. including: Alabama- Alaska – Arizona – Arkansas – California – Colorado – Connecticut – Delaware – Florida – Georgia – Hawaii – Idaho – Illinois – Indiana – Iowa – Kansas – Kentucky – Louisiana – Maine -Maryland – Massachusetts – Michigan – Minnesota – Mississippi – Missouri – Montana – Nebraska – Nevada – New Hampshire – New Jersey – New Mexico – New York – North Carolina – North Dakota – Ohio – Oklahoma – Oregon – Pennsylvania – Rhode Island – South Carolina – South Dakota – Tennessee – Texas – Utah – Vermont – Virginia – Washington – West Virginia – Wisconsin – Wyoming.

If you have questions or information about E. coli or food poisoning, or are interested in evaluating your legal rights, please call us toll free at 1-888-335-4901 or contact us by email at ron@simonluke.com – we are happy to help answer all of your questions and explain your options at no cost to you.

Hannaford Ground Beef Outbreak Now Claims 16 Victims

More salmonella infections have been reported in an outbreak linked to ground beef sold at Hannaford Supermarkets.

As of today, 16 people from seven states have tested postiive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium reported becoming ill between Oct. 8 and Dec. 3.  Seven victims, including 3 in New York, were hospitalized.  The victims are distributed as flollows:  Maine (4), New York (4), New Hampshire (4), Hawaii (1), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (1), and Vermont (1).  Seven have been hospitalized (including 3 victdims in New York) and no deaths have been reported.

Hannaford issued a recall last week of ground beef with a sell-by date of Dec. 17 or earlier and is offering full refunds for the meat, regardless of whether it’s still in its package.

If you Contracted Salmonella Let Simon & Luke Help You

If you or a loved one contracted salmonella after eating ground beef from Hannaford stores, and have been contacted by the health department, then you are likely related to this outbreak.  If so, you are entitled to significant compensation from Hannaford and its insurers, including payment for all of your past and future medical bills, pharmacy bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other damages.

Simon & Luke’s groundbreaking work on behalf of victims in national food borne illness outbreaks has paved the way for numerous upgrades to the US food safety system.  Some of the recent outbreaks in which Simon & Luke has represented clients include:

• ConAgra Peter Pan peanut butter – Salmonella
• ConAgra pot pies – Salmonella
• Castleberry’s chili – Botulism
• National Hotel – Norovirus
• Union Foods / Harris Freeman white pepper – Salmonella
• Nestle cookie dough – E. coli O157:H7
• Peanut Corporation of America Peanut products – Salmonella
• JBS Swift beef – E. coli 0157:H7
• Freshway Foods romaine lettuce – E. coli 0145
• Subway sandwiches – Shigella
• Luxe Burger hamburgers – Salmonella
• Daniele salami – Salmonella
• Subway sandwiches – Salmonella
• Brother’s Deli – Salmonella
• Sangar celery – Listeria monocytogenes
• Sprout outbreak – Listeria monocytogenes
• Wright County Egg / Hillandale Farms eggs – Salmonella
• Tiny Greens / Jimmy John’s alfalfa sprouts – Salmonella
• Rolf’s Patisserie – Staph Aureus
• Lavon Farms – Salmonella
• Cargill ground turkey – Salmonella
• Agromod papayas – Salmonella
• Jensen Farms – Listeria monocytogenes

Ron Simon’s work and commentary on these outbreaks has been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and virtually all other major television networks and print media.

The firm has represented over 3000 victims of food-borne outbreaks in the past four years alone, and has collected over $500,000,000 for its clients.

The firm regularly publishes articles about food safety and litigation at www.myfoodpoisoninglawyer.com, which are read by viewers in over 150 countries.

Simon & Luke Accepting Hannaford Salmonella Cases – Call Us Toll-Free

Simon & Luke is actively investigating this outbreak and represents several victims who have become ill from salmonella poisoning.  Simon & Luke’s salmonella and food poisoning lawyers and attorneys can help you with your Hannaford salmonella outbreak, claim, lawsuit, and settlement in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and all other affected areas.

If you have questions or information about this outbreak, please call us toll free at 1-888-335-4901 or contact us by email at ron@simonluke.com – we are here to help you.

Hannford Issues Ground Beef Recall after 14 Victims Contract Salmonella

Hannaford, a Scarborough, Maine-based grocery chain, today recalled fresh ground beef products due to contamination with a rare strain of Salmonella Typhimurium after 14 people contracted the illness.   Seven individuals have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.

Of the victims, 11 reported consuming ground beef.  Ten reported purchasing ground beef at Hannaford stores in Maine, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont between Oct. 12 and Nov. 20.

The products subject to recall are any size package of the following:

• “73% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
• “75% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
• “80% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
• “85% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
• “90% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
• “80% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
• “85% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
• “90% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
• “85% Nature’s Place Ground Beef”
• “90% Nature’s Place Ground Beef”

The various ground beef packages bear sell-by dates of Dec. 17, 2011 or earlier and were sold at Hannaford stores throughout Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.  The recall was initiated due to concerns about illnesses caused by consumption of fresh in-store ground beef prepared in and purchased at Hannaford stores. 

The outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium has initially tested resistant to multiple commonly prescribed antibiotics, including drug classes such as beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, and cephalosporins.  Additional information on drug resistance will be made public as it becomes available.

Based on an examination of Hannaford’s limited records, FSIS was unable to determine the responsible beef suppliers.  The FSIS has not yet been able to identify FSIS-regulated suppliers of raw beef ground at Hannaford Stores related to the outbreak that could be subject to recall action.

If you Contracted Salmonella Let Simon & Luke Help You

If you or a loved one contracted salmonella after eating ground beef from Hannaford stores, and have been contacted by the health department, then you are likely related to this outbreak.  If so, you are entitled to significant compensation from Hannaford and its insurers, including payment for all of your past and future medical bills, pharmacy bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other damages.

Simon & Luke’s groundbreaking work on behalf of victims in national food borne illness outbreaks has paved the way for numerous upgrades to the US food safety system.  Some of the recent outbreaks in which Simon & Luke has represented clients include:

• ConAgra Peter Pan peanut butter – Salmonella
• ConAgra pot pies – Salmonella
• Castleberry’s chili – Botulism
• National Hotel – Norovirus
• Union Foods / Harris Freeman white pepper – Salmonella
• Nestle cookie dough – E. coli O157:H7
• Peanut Corporation of America Peanut products – Salmonella
• JBS Swift beef – E. coli 0157:H7
• Freshway Foods romaine lettuce – E. coli 0145
• Subway sandwiches – Shigella
• Luxe Burger hamburgers – Salmonella
• Daniele salami – Salmonella
• Subway sandwiches – Salmonella
• Brother’s Deli – Salmonella
• Sangar celery – Listeria monocytogenes
• Sprout outbreak – Listeria monocytogenes
• Wright County Egg / Hillandale Farms eggs – Salmonella
• Tiny Greens / Jimmy John’s alfalfa sprouts – Salmonella
• Rolf’s Patisserie – Staph Aureus
• Lavon Farms – Salmonella
• Cargill ground turkey – Salmonella
• Agromod papayas – Salmonella
• Jensen Farms – Listeria monocytogenes

Ron Simon’s work and commentary on these outbreaks has been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and virtually all other major television networks and print media.

The firm has represented over 3000 victims of food-borne outbreaks in the past four years alone, and has collected over $500,000,000 for its clients.

The firm regularly publishes articles about food safety and litigation at www.myfoodpoisoninglawyer.com, which are read by viewers in over 150 countries.

Simon & Luke Accepting Hannaford Salmonella Cases – Call Us Toll-Free

Simon & Luke is actively investigating this outbreak and represents several victims who have become ill from salmonella poisoning.  Simon & Luke’s salmonella and food poisoning lawyers and attorneys can help you with your Hannaford salmonella outbreak, claim, lawsuit, and settlement in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and all other affected areas.

If you have questions or information about this outbreak, please call us toll free at 1-888-335-4901 or contact us by email at ron@simonluke.com – we are here to help you.

MSDOH Issues Statement About Don Julio Salmonella Outbreak

Yesterday, the Mississippi State Department of Health issued the following announcement concerning the recent salmonella outbreak linked to Don Julio Mexican Restaurant in Corinth:

“As of today, a total of 59 patrons and employees of Don Julio Mexican Restaurant, 1901 Virginia Lane in Corinth, have had positive cultures confirming the presence of salmonella.  Our investigation has shown that the incident does not appear to be a food producer or supplier issue,” said Northeast Mississippi District Health Officer Dr. Jessie R. Taylor.  It appears to be an isolated problem with this particular restaurant, and the restaurant is working closely with us to correct the problem.  The restaurant will remain closed until an improvement plan is approved by the MSDH.”

The first cases of salmonella in Corinth were reported in late November.

Don Julio the Source of 59 Illnesses – But Many More Likely

While the case count currently sits at 59 victims, the true number of illnesses is much higher and likely to rise.  According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), for each confirmed salmonella case there are roughly 40 more illnesses that are not counted for a variety of reasons: failure of the victim to seek medical treatment, failure of the physician to order a stool culture to test for salmonella, and problems with the testing process that render a false negative.    That means that as many as 2400 people could have been sickened in this outbreak!

If you Contracted Salmonella Let Simon & Luke Help You

If you or a loved one contracted salmonella after eating at Don Julio’s restaurant in Corinth, Alcorn County, Mississippi, and have been contacted by the health department, then you are likely related to this outbreak.  If so, you are entitled to significant compensation from Don Julio and its insurers, including payment for all of your past and future medical bills, pharmacy bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other damages.

Simon & Luke’s groundbreaking work on behalf of victims in national food borne illness outbreaks has paved the way for numerous upgrades to the US food safety system.  Some of the recent outbreaks in which Simon & Luke has represented clients include:

• ConAgra Peter Pan peanut butter – Salmonella
• ConAgra pot pies – Salmonella
• Castleberry’s chili – Botulism
• National Hotel – Norovirus
• Union Foods / Harris Freeman white pepper – Salmonella
• Nestle cookie dough – E. coli O157:H7
• Peanut Corporation of America Peanut products – Salmonella
• JBS Swift beef – E. coli 0157:H7
• Freshway Foods romaine lettuce – E. coli 0145
• Subway sandwiches – Shigella
• Luxe Burger hamburgers – Salmonella
• Daniele salami – Salmonella
• Subway sandwiches – Salmonella
• Brother’s Deli – Salmonella
• Sangar celery – Listeria monocytogenes
• Sprout outbreak – Listeria monocytogenes
• Wright County Egg / Hillandale Farms eggs – Salmonella
• Tiny Greens / Jimmy John’s alfalfa sprouts – Salmonella
• Rolf’s Patisserie – Staph Aureus
• Lavon Farms – Salmonella
• Cargill ground turkey – Salmonella
• Agromod papayas – Salmonella
• Jensen Farms – Listeria monocytogenes

Ron Simon’s work and commentary on these outbreaks has been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and virtually all other major television networks and print media.

The firm has represented over 3000 victims of food-borne outbreaks in the past four years alone, and has collected over $500,000,000 for its clients.

The firm regularly publishes articles about food safety and litigation at www.myfoodpoisoninglawyer.com, which are read by viewers in over 150 countries.

Simon & Luke Accepting Don Julio Salmonella Cases – Call Us Toll-Free

Simon & Luke is actively investigating this outbreak and represents several victims who have become ill from salmonella poisoning.  Simon & Luke’s salmonella and food poisoning lawyers and attorneys can help you with your Don Julio salmonella outbreak, claim, lawsuit, and settlement in Corinth, Alcorn County, Mississippi and all other affected areas.

If you have questions or information about this outbreak, please call us toll free at 1-888-335-4901 or contact us by email at ron@simonluke.com – we are here to help you.

Simon & Luke Recovers Listeria Settlement for Family of Deceased Victim

National food safety law firm Simon & Luke has settled the first listeria death claim in the United States from an outbreak linked to contaminated sprouts.

The claim was settled on behalf of the family of a woman who died from listeriosis after consuming the sprouts.  The amount of the settlement was confidential.

Managing partner Ron Simon issued the following statement: “The defendant and its insurer have done the right thing to resolve this clam and let the family move forward.  We are pleased that the family can now close this chapter in their lives.  Simon & Luke will continue to fight for a safer food system and for those who have been sickened by contaminated food.”

About Listeria

Each year, an estimated 1,600 persons in the United States fall seriously ill with listeriosis (CDC, 2011).  Of these, approximately 260 die.  A number of groups are at higher risk for developing listeriosis, including:

• Pregnant women;
• Newborns;
• Persons with weakened immune systems such as those resulting from organ transplants and from certain diseases, therapies, and medications;
• Persons with cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, liver or kidney disease;
• Persons with AIDS;
• Persons who take glucocorticosteroid medications; and
• The elderly.

A person with listeriosis usually exhibits fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea.   If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.

Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness; however, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery, or infection of the newborn.

Simon & Luke Listeria Lawyers Investigating the Jensen Farms Cantaloupe Outbreak

The listeria lawyers at Simon & Luke are now investigating another listeria outbreak – that tied to contaminated cantaloupe produced by Jensen Farms in Colorado and distributed by Frontera Produce of Edinburg, Texas..

The CDC has now confirmed that the contaminated cantaloupes have thus far sickened 146 persons in 30 states.  The illnesses are distributed as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (4), Colorado (40), Idaho (2), Illinois (4), Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (11), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (7), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), Nevada (1), New Mexico (15), New York (2), North Dakota (2), Oklahoma (12), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (18), Utah (1), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (4).   All illnesses started on or after July 31, 2011.

The illnesses have been linked to consumption of cantaloupes produced by Jensen Farms of Granada, Colorado, and sold as “Rocky Ford” cantaloupes by Frontera Produce.  The ages of the victims range from <1 to 96 years, with a median age of 77 years old.  Most are over 60 years old or have weakened immune systems.  Fifty-eight percent of ill persons are female.   Almost all cases have been hospitalized.

So far, 30 deaths have been reported in the following states: Colorado (8), Indiana (1), Kansas (3), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (3), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (5), New York (2), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and Wyoming (1).

One miscarriage has also been reported.

Cheryle Ferda – A Survivor Lucky to be Alive

Simon & Luke represents several victims of the cantaloupe listeria outbreak.  One of those clients – Cheryle Ferda – received national attention when the story of her illness was featured on local and national news.

Cheryle Ferda is a registered nurse who lives in the sleepy town of Blackwell, about 100 miles north of Oklahoma City.  She still works regular hours in the nearby town of Ponca City.  She has always loved the taste of fresh cantaloupe.  But little did she know that consuming her favorite treat would cause her to become one of 84 victims nationwide who would suffer Listeria monocytogenes poisoning.

In early September, Ms. Ferda began experiencing symptoms consistent with Listeria monocytogenes poisoning – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, muscle aches, abdomen pain, weakness, and dehydration.  She also became delirious.  Her supervisor, alarmed by her slurred speech, called her family members who rushed to the hospital on September 5.

“I was so septic, so sick, that I had a stroke,” Ferda said, of the poison that had entered her bloodstream.  She was placed in the critical care unit, confused and with limited use of her left arm and hand.  Blood tests led her doctors to contact the CDC, which subsequently confirmed that she was part of the national listeria outbreak linked to tainted cantaloupes.

“I was scared to death,” she said of the confirmed listeria diagnosis. “I’m an old infection control nurse, and I knew this was not good.”

When she learned that cantaloupe was the source, she was shocked.  “I’m the biggest cantaloupe eater in the world,” Ferda said. “I just really love cantaloupe.  I just always felt in my heart that things we buy at the grocery store are safe.  I thought that producers and distributors would make sure their products are ok to eat before they put them on the shelves.”

When Ferda was finally released from the hospital September 20, she was discharged with home health care to assist her.  She is now in the fourth week of a five-week regimen that requires her to receive IV antibiotics (ampicillin) every four hours.  She is also undergoing occupational therapy for her damaged left hand and can’t return to work until she has fully recovered.

“For a nurse, this is just devastating,” said Ferda, who has refused to retire because she loves her job. “You have to be able to move quickly and use your hands.”

When asked what she would say to the owners of Jensen Farms and Frontera Produce if asked, Ms. Ferda replied “I’d ask them to please help make our food safe and beg them not to let this happen again.”

If you Contracted Listeria, Let Simon & Luke Help You

If you or a loved one contracted listeria after consuming cantaloupes, and have been contacted by the health department, then you are likely related to this outbreak.  If so, you are entitled to significant compensation from Jensen Farms and its insurers, including payment for all of your past and future medical bills, pharmacy bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other damages.

Simon & Luke’s groundbreaking work on behalf of victims in national food borne illness outbreaks has paved the way for numerous upgrades to the US food safety system.  Some of the recent outbreaks in which Simon & Luke has represented clients include:

• ConAgra Peter Pan peanut butter – Salmonella
• ConAgra pot pies – Salmonella
• Castleberry’s chili – Botulism
• National Hotel – Norovirus
• Union Foods / Harris Freeman white pepper – Salmonella
• Nestle cookie dough – E. coli O157:H7
• Peanut Corporation of America Peanut products – Salmonella
• JBS Swift beef – E. coli 0157:H7
• Freshway Foods romaine lettuce – E. coli 0145
• Subway sandwiches – Shigella
• Luxe Burger hamburgers – Salmonella
• Daniele salami – Salmonella
• Subway sandwiches – Salmonella
• Brother’s Deli – Salmonella
• Sangar celery – Listeria monocytogenes
• Sprout outbreak – Listeria monocytogenes
• Wright County Egg / Hillandale Farms eggs – Salmonella
• Tiny Greens / Jimmy John’s alfalfa sprouts – Salmonella
• Rolf’s Patisserie – Staph Aureus
• Lavon Farms – Salmonella
• Cargill ground turkey – Salmonella
• Agromod papayas – Salmonella
• Jensen Farms – Listeria monocytogenes

Ron Simon’s work and commentary on these outbreaks has been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and virtually all other major television networks and print media.

The firm has represented over 3000 victims of food-borne outbreaks in the past four years alone, and has collected over $500,000,000 for its clients.

The firm regularly publishes articles about food safety and litigation at www.myfoodpoisoninglawyer.com, which are read by viewers in over 150 countries.

Simon & Luke Accepting Jensen Farms  / Frontera Produce Listeria Cases – Call Us Toll-Free

The firm is currently accepting Sangar celery and Jensen Farms cantaloupe listeria cases.

Simon & Luke is actively investigating these outbreaks and represents several victims who have become ill from Listeria monocytogenes.  Simon & Luke’s listeria and food poisoning lawyers and attorneys can help you with your Jensen Farms and Frontera Produce cantaloupe listeria outbreak, claim, lawsuit, and settlement in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorad, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and all other affected states.

If you have questions or information about these outbreaks, please call us toll free at 1-888-335-4901 or contact us by email at ron@simonluke.com – we are here to help you.