Peanut Butter Lawsuits - Peanut Corporation of America
In 2009, more than 600 people nationwide became sick with salmonellosis after consuming products containing peanut butter made by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). Many of the victims developed serious complications requiring hospitalization, and at least nine people died as a result. In order to limit the spread of the infection, the FDA issued a recall of more than 430 products made with peanuts processed at a PCA plant in Bleakly, Georgia. In order to obtain compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, physical pain and emotional suffering, many victims and/or their families filed lawsuits against PCA.
2009 Peanut Butter Recall
According to the FDA, the 2009 peanut butter recall was one of the largest such events in the history of the United States. Because the PCA produced bulk peanut butter, peanut butter paste and roasted peanuts that were distributed to restaurants and large institutions, such as schools, hospitals and nursing homes, thousands of people were put at risk of contracting salmonella. The risk was especially grave at nursing homes as the elderly are more prone to developing severe salmonellosis and fatal complications.
In order to protect unsuspecting consumers, more than 430 kinds of cookies, cakes, bread, ice cream and other peanut-containing products were removed from the shelves of grocery stores nationwide. In addition, all products produced by PCA since 2007 were recalled. As a testament to the severity of the 2009 salmonellosis outbreak, the U.S. Army also issued a recall of many peanut products used at army bases in the United States and Europe.
Peanut Corporation of America Lawsuits
An environmental health investigation performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FDA revealed several gross health code violations at the PCA Georgia plant at the center of the salmonellosis outbreak. Salmonella bacteria were found on the facility's floors, mold was discovered on the walls and leaks were noticed in the roof. In addition, the two agencies concluded that PCA had failed to adhere to the guidelines designed to prevent food contamination both during and after the food manufacturing process. The FDA also alleges that PCA knew about the possible salmonella contamination but continued to ship potentially dangerous products nonetheless. The FDA and the U.S. Department of Justice have initiated a criminal investigation to further substantiate this claim.
Because PCA failed to provide consumers with reasonably safe products and might have committed acts of gross negligence, the company might be held liable for any damages sustained by the victims as a result. At least 13 personal injury lawsuits have been filed against PCA in Georgia and Vermont, and more are expected to come. In addition, several families of deceased salmonellosis victims have filed wrongful death suits to hold PCA responsible for their immense suffering. It is expected that the combined verdicts in these cases will exceed $30 million.
Salmonellosis Legal Help
Peanut Corporation of America shipped its products nationwide, exposing a large number of people to major health risks that might have been avoided. If you believe that you might have become a victim of salmonellosis after eating a product containing peanuts, you might be entitled to compensation. Contact the law offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz at (888) 255-2956 to learn more about your rights and initiate prompt legal action, such as filing a peanut butter lawsuit. In addition to helping victims of salmonella food poisoning obtain justice, AWKO lawyers specialize in resolving legal issues arising from E. coli, botulism, campylobacter and shigella outbreaks.
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Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz
803 North Palafox St.
Pensacola, Florida 32501
55 Baybridge Dr.
Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
