Listeriosis Legal Recourse
Listeriosis is an infectious disease that kills about 500 people in the United States every year. Many more become sickened and experience serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. The most common source of listeriosis is contaminated food, such as deli meats, hot dogs, unpasteurized cheeses and smoked fish. In certain listeriosis cases where it can be proven that the manufacturers of the contaminated products acted negligently in failing to provide consumers with reasonably safe products, they might be compelled to provide compensation. Some of the best known listeriosis lawsuits are the 2001 Sara Lee suit that was settled for $4 million and the 2008 Maple Leaf lawsuit whereby the company agreed to pay $23 million in damages.
Sara Lee Listeriosis Outbreak
One of the largest listeriosis outbreaks in the United States occurred in 1998 when scores of people became ill after consuming Sara Lee Ball Park franks. At least 100 victims developed acute listeriosis with symptoms ranging from diarrhea and vomiting to fever, body chills and lethargy. Tragically, 21 people died due to fatal complications of listeriosis. After an FDA investigation revealed that the culprit of the 1998 listeriosis epidemic was Sara Lee's hot dog meat, the families of the deceased victims filed wrongful death lawsuits against the company. In addition, many of the surviving listeriosis victims brought forth personal injury suits. After more than two years of litigation, Sara Lee pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges and agreed to provide more than $4 million in damages.
Maple Leaf Meat Recall
In Canada, a major listeriosis epidemic occurred in 2008 when more than 25 people became violently ill and 20 died after consuming listeria-contaminated deli meats produced by Maple Leaf. It was later discovered that two of the meat slicers at Maple Leaf's Toronto facility had become infested with listeria monocytogenes, potentially contaminating thousands of pounds of bologna, turkey, ham and other sliced meats. After learning about the listeriosis outbreak, Maple Leaf recalled all of its 220 meat products and shut down the Toronto plant.
Maple Leaf, the largest food processor in Canada, assumed full responsibility and agreed to settle a listeriosis class action lawsuit filed against it. Pending court approval, in December 2008 the company agreed to pay $23 million in damages to listeriosis survivors and families of the deceased victims. The exact compensation each plaintiff or plaintiff's estate received was determined by the severity of the illness and/or the size of the surviving family.
Contacting an Experienced Listeriosis Attorney
The lawyers of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz recognize the immense suffering caused by listeriosis food poisoning and are committed to helping listeriosis victims hold those responsible for their suffering financially liable. If you believe that your listeriosis symptoms or the sickness of a loved one was caused by a contaminated food product, contact AWKO Law today at (888) 255-2956 for a thorough case review and sound legal advice. The attorneys of AWKO Law have considerable experience helping victims of food poisoning advance their legal rights, and they have obtained many sizeable settlements in listeriosis, E. coli, botulism, fish tapeworm infection and salmonella cases.
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Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz
803 North Palafox St.
Pensacola, Florida 32501
55 Baybridge Dr.
Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
