Death Toll From Lysteria-Contaminated Cantaloupes Reaches 17
Almost three weeks ago, our Chicago personal injury attorneys first became aware of the cases of Listerosis confirmed to be a result of contaminated cantaloupes.
To date, as many as 17 people have died from the infected melons, and another 80 have become seriously ill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that the cantaloupes contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes are from the Colorado lot that was recalled on September 14 by Jensen Farms.
Listeria Monocytogenes is a potentially deadly food poisoning bacteria that causes a condition called Listerosis. Listeriosis affects mainly pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and adults with lowered immune system, and when pregnant women are infected with Listeria Monocytogenes the infection can result in premature delivery, miscarriages, or stillbirth. Additionally, if a pregnant woman is exposed to contaminated food during pregnancy, the child can be born with Listeriosis.
Listeria is generally found in uncooked meats, processed foods, and other foods derived from animal products, however this outbreak of Listeria has been linked to whole, unsliced cantaloupes. The FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) Network has been working in conjunction with the Center for Disease control to investigate the source of the contamination.
According to the Washington Post, the latest victim is an 87 year-old man from Catonsville, Maryland. His daughter has subsequently filed suit in U.S. District Court against Jensen Farms, the cantaloupe producer and distributor. A wrongful death lawsuit will allow the woman to recover for the loss of companionship and love she would have received from her father, as well as send a message to the company that negligently distributed the contaminated food.
Food distributers have a duty to sell reasonably safe food, and are responsible for products they disseminate to the public. When those products cause illness, injury, or death, the companies are liable for the harm caused. Individuals who suffer serious personal injury, hospitalization, or even death due to food poisoning may be able to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
In this latest case, the victim ate a contaminated cantaloupe manufactured, distributed and sold by the defendant, Jensen Farms. According to the lawsuit, two days after consuming the fruit, the man began to display symptoms of Listeria poisoning. He passed away on August 31, and the Baltimore County health department has since confirmed that a blood sample taken the day the victim died tested positive for the strain of Listeria Monocytogenes involved in the nation-wide outbreak.
Although the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene stated that no other cases of Listeria have been reported in Maryland, cases have cropped up across the country, and residents of all States may be in danger. Our Illinois food poisoning attorneys have extensive experience representing clients in similar cases to the one such as this, including a $4 million settlement for three convention attendees who contracted salmonella poisoning that caused them to suffer crippling arthritic injuries. If you or a loved one have suffered injury from contaminated food, an attorney may be able to advise you of your rights.
Related Article: http://www.illinoisinjurylawyerblog.com/2011/09/deadly_cantaloupes_recalled_fr_1.html
