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Michigan E. coli: Evidence and Liability

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

The Michigan E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with iceberg lettuce distributed by Aunt Mid’s Produce Company has sickened at least 34 people. At least 6 people in Illinois have also been sickened in this outbreak.

According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, some of the Michigan cases consumed shredded or chopped iceberg lettuce in restaurants or institutions purchased from Aunt Mid's Produce Company, a Detroit-based wholesale distributor. This is epidemiological evidence that associates Aunt Mid’s with the outbreak. 

The Michigan Depatment of Agriculture has been testing Aunt Mid's iceberg lettuce samples and Aunt Mid's processing facility. To date, the state tests have found no contamination of either Aunt Mid’s iceberg lettuce or Aunt Mid’s processing facility.

According to James McCurtis, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Community Health, Aunt Mid’s is still suspected because its lettuce is the only kind delivered to the Lenawee County Jail (5 inmates sickened) and the two restaurants in Illinois where the outbreak-strain of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria was also found.

Legally, an epidemiological association with an outbreak can be sufficient evidence to find liability. This is necessary in cases involving a perishable food product because by the time an outbreak is uncovered, perishable food items are often consumed. This is particularly true in the case of a perishable food product served at a restaurant or other food service facility.  In this case, the epidemiological evidence is supported by the finding of the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 (microbiological evidence) at the Lenawee County Jail and the two restaurants in Illinois.

If you or your child has been sickened in the Michigan E. coli outbreak, it is critical that you contact an E. coli lawyer if you want to be compensated for medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages. Liable parties could include farms, processors, distributors, a food service company, a restaurant and others. If you retain our law firm, we will immediately investigate your case.

Our law firm has a national reputation in this area, and we handle E. coli cases throughout the United States. We are currently handling a number of E. coli cases, including cases involving hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). To contact the firm, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), email attorney Fred Pritzker or submit our online consultation form for a free consultation.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on October 06, 2008 (boomark / email).