Oklahoma Listeria Wrongful Death and Illnesses from Cantaloupe: Free Consultation with Lawyer
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Brendan Flaherty won $2,700,000 for a family in a Listeria wrongful death case. They and their team of lawyers are now investigating Listeria cases in Oklahoma linked to a multistate outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown and distributed by Jensen Farms in Colorado and distributed by Frontera Produce of Texas. There is one wrongful death and 5 confirmed Listeria personal injury cases.
Our attorneys are available for a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit against Jensen Farms, Frontera Produce, and possibly a retailer or restaurant.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has now confirmed a total of six cases of Listeria infection (listeriosis) related to cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms from the Rocky Ford, CO, growing region. All six cases were hospitalized and one of these died. An additional four listeriosis cases are under investigation, and are suspected to be related to the nationwide outbreak. All of the Oklahoma cases are over the age of sixty.
In response to this outbreak, Jensen Farms recalled its Rocky Ford cantaloupe. The recalled cantaloupes were shipped from the Rocky Ford growing region of Colorado from July 29 through September 10. The recalled cantaloupes were distributed by Jensen Farms and Frontera Produce of Texas to at least 17 states, including Oklahoma. Retailers like Walmart, Supervalue, Albertsons and Whole Foods Market have pulled the recalled cantaloupes off of their shelves.
The serious health risks after an infection from Listeria monocytogenes for the elderly include:
- Blood poisoning (Septicemia)
- Spinal Infection and Inflammation (Meningitis)
- Brain inflammation (Encephalitis)
Any of these can be fatal or lead to permanent, severe brain damage. When there is a wrongful death, the family has a claim against responsible parties. When the Listeria victim survives, he or she has a claim and their spouse may also have a claim.
Lawyers Investigating Cantaloupe Sold at Safeway, Whole Foods Market, Walmart, King Soopers and other Stores
Retailers have pulled Rocky Ford cantaloupes grown by Jensen Farms of Colorado off shelves after an outbreak linked to the melons sickened over 20 people in 7 states with listeriosis (an illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria). Some of the retailers who received Jensen Farms cantaloupe include the following: Safeway (Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico in Aztec and Farmington, South Dakota and Wyoming), Whole Foods, King Soopers (Colorado and Wyoming), Albertson’s, Walmart (one lawsuit lists Colorado Springs store), and Aldi. Our lawyers are investigating this cantaloupe outbreak and are available for a free consultation regarding a lawsuit against the grower (Jensen Farms), the distributor (Frontera Produce of Texas) and the store or restaurant that sold you the contaminated cantaloupe.
Our attorneys represent Listeria victims nationwide. To date, the CDC lists the following as states with confirmed listeriosis cases that are part of this outbreak: Colorado (12), Indiana (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (4 and possibly 10), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and West Virginia (1). Our law firm has also been contacted from people in other states whose loved ones may be part of this outbreak.
There are 22 confirmed cases of listeriosis linked to this outbreak and two deaths, one in Colorado and one in New Mexico. Three other deaths in New Mexico may also be connected to this outbreak.
Cantaloupe Recall
Prompted by the listeriosis outbreak, Jensen Farms recalled their shipments of Rocky Ford whole cantaloupe because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria. The Jensen Farms cantaloupes in question were shipped between July 29th, 2011 and September 10th 2011, and distributed to the following states: Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arizona, Illinois, Wyoming, Tennessee, Utah, Minnesota, Kansas, North Carolina, Missouri, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The whole cantaloupes have a green and white sticker that reads: Product of USA- Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford- Cantaloupe or a gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords.
Pritzker Olsen attorneys have won millions for Listeria victims and their families. They have also held leadership positions on multidistrict litigation (MDL) panels. MDL is like a class action lawsuit, but it only consolidates the pretrial procedures. Contact our lawyers for a free consultation.
News Sources: http://efoodalert.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/did-your-supermarket-sell-colorado-cantaloupes/, http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-124861-cases-cantaloupe.html.
New Mexico Listeria Outbreak: Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Grown in Colorado Likely Source
Our Listeria lawyers are investigating a New Mexico Listeria outbreak that has been linked to cantaloupe grown in the Rocky Ford area in Colorado. Nine people in New Mexico were sickened in the outbreak. Three of them died.
Listeria attorney Fred Pritzker has represented many Listeria victims and their families:
“Listeria contamination is preventable with good sanitation. The grower and all responsible parties need to be held accountable for these tragic deaths and illnesses.”
In a case involving another outbreak, Fred and attorney Brendan Flaherty won over $6,000,000 for three families. “No amount of money can bring back a loved one, but it is important for the families to get justice,” said Fred.
All of the Listeria victims in New Mexico were hospitalized. They range in age from 43 to 96 and include two men and four women. The fatal cases include a 93-year-old man from Bernalillo County, a 61-year-old woman from Curry County and a 63-year-old man from Bernalillo County. The other cases come from Bernalillo, Chaves, Otero, De Baca, and Lea counties.
People in Colorado, Texas and Nebraska were also sickened in this outbreak. One person in Colorado died.
Our attorneys are available for a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit. There has not been a cantaloupe recall associated with this outbreak.
Colorado Listeria Outbreak: Cantaloupe Likely Source
News sources are reporting that a multi-state outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes, centered in Colorado, has been associated with consumption of cantaloupe. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a release that it
…has identified nine cases linked to a multistate Listeria outbreak. Preliminary results have identified cantaloupe as the likely source of the state’s Listeria outbreak. While the state initially reported 13 Listeria cases, just nine of those cases are linked to the multistate outbreak investigation, which includes two potentially related cases in Texas and one in Nebraska. Colorado’s remaining four cases either have lab results pending or are not linked to the multistate investigation.
Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks involving fresh cantaloupe are uncommon but not surprising. The pathogen has been detected in a number of fresh market produce items including cabbage, cucumbers, potatoes, and radishes among others. Moreover, cantaloupes have repeatedly been implicated in outbreaks involving Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 and Norovirus.
The law firm of Pritzker Olsen, P.A. has more experience involving outbreaks of Listeria monocytogenes than any firm in the United States. It has been involved in every major Listeria outbreak and has collected millions of dollars on behalf of Listeria survivors and the families of people killed by this dreaded disease. The firm has also obtained the largest individual recoveries for Listeria victims, with many in excess of $1 million.
Listeria and Listeriosis Information
Listeriosis, the illness resulting from consumption of food adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, is a serious infection. Compared with most other foodborne pathogens, Listeriosis is rare and very dangerous. In the United States, an estimated 1,600 persons become seriously ill with listeriosis each year. Of these, 260 die. The following groups are at increased risk:
- Pregnant women: Pregnant women are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis. About one in six (17%) cases of listeriosis occurs during pregnancy.
- Newborns: Newborns suffer the most serious effects of infection in pregnancy.
- Persons with weakened immune systems from transplants or certain diseases, therapies, or medications.
- Persons with cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, liver or kidney disease.
- Persons with AIDS: They are almost 300 times more likely to get listeriosis than people with normal immune systems.
- Older adults
Authorities have not yet determined the source of the cantaloupe implicated in this cantaloupe listeria outbreak in Colorado, Texas and Nebraska.
One of the difficulties in “tracing back” the source of a listeriosis outbreak is the long incubation period from food consumption to symptom manifestation. In the case of Listeriosis, the incubation period can be as long as 70 days (but symptoms usually appear within a month). Given that length of time and the rapid and severe illness that results, it is much harder to identify the food consumed and the source of that food so long after it was eaten.
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria found in soil and water. Listeriosis outbreaks often involve ready-to eat hot dogs, deli meats, unpasteurized soft cheeses, and smoked seafood. Listeria monocytogenes is resistant to cold temperatures and may survive in foods not subjected to heating. The only way to effectively kill off Listeria monocytogenes in food products is to heat the food to a temperature of 160 degrees.
If you or a loved one has been harmed in this Listeria outbreak, you should contact the law firm of Pritzker Olsen, P.A. for a free consultation. Call toll-free today at 888-377-8900 or via email at fhp@pritzkerlaw.com.
Kimchi Recall Due to Listeriosis Risk in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee
Atlanta Oriental Food Wholesale Company of Atlanta, GA, is recalling its 1 gallon plastic containers of Cut Napa Kimchi and 5 gallon buckets of Cut Napa Kimchi because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled Kimchi was distributed at Buford Highway Farmers Market in Doraville, Georgia as well as in five gallon buckets to companies in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. It comes in a 1 gallon, clear plastic package and a 5 gallon bucket marked with lot # 56090959 on the side of the containers.
The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 1 gallon containers of Cut Napa Kimchi. There have been no reports of illness.
The incubation period for Listeria infection (listeriosis) can be as long as 70 days, so if you or a loved one ate some of the recalled Kimchi, you should watch for symptoms of listeriosis, including the following:
- Flu-like fever and muscle aches
- Upset stomach or diarrhea
- Stiff neck, headache, loss of balance, confusion or convulsions
- Flu-like symptoms in pregnant women
Generally, listeriosis is mild in healthy people, but unborn babies, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems can develop serious illness that can lead to death. If there is a diagnosis of listeriosis, contact our law firm.
