$2,700,000 Listeria Death Settlement, Now Lawyer Investigating Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak
Attorney Fred Pritzker settled a Listeria death case for $2,700,000. The case involved an 81-year-old man who contracted a Listeria infection (listeriosis) after eating food contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. After investigating the outbreak case, determining potential defendents and identifying and understanding the damage done to the family, settlement negotiations were commenced. Although initially the defendants did not acknowledge any responsibility for the outbreak, Pritzker was able to get the $2,700,000 settlement. Contact Fred Pritzker for a free consultation regarding a Listeria wrongful death lawsuit.
Mr. Pritzker and his team of attorneys at PritzkerOlsen are now investigating the Listeria outbreak linked to whole Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms in Granada, Colorado. One of the wrongful death cases the firm is handling involves a 76-year-old Illinois man who died from complications of Listeria, primarily sepsis, on September 11, 2011. He ate cantaloupe every day before developing symptoms of listeriosis.
Lawyers Representing Listeria Victims Nationwide
Attorney Fred Pritzker, Elliot Olsen, Brendan Flaherty and Ryan Osterholm are accepting cantaloupe Listeria cases in all affected states:
California (1), Colorado (14), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Kansas (6 probable cases), Maryland (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (4), New Mexico (10), Oklahoma (8), Texas (9), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (1).
The list of affected states continues to grow. We have been contacted by families and victims of the outbreak who suspect their cases are part of the outbreak, and we are in the processes of doing the epidemiology and microbiology to determine if they are. In addition, because patients can develop listeriosis up to 2 months after eating contaminated food, cases related to this outbreak may continue to be reported through October.
Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Information from the CDC
CDC has confirmed a total of 55 persons infected with the 4 outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes. All illnesses started on or after August 4, 2011. Listeriosis illnesses in several other states are currently being investigated to determine if they are part of this outbreak.
Among persons for whom information is available, illnesses began on or after August 4, 2011. Ages range from 35 to 96 years, with a median age of 78 years old. Most ill persons are over 60 years old or have health conditions that weaken the immune system. Fifty-nine percent of ill persons are female. Among the 43 ill persons with available information on whether they were hospitalized, all were hospitalized.
Eight deaths have been confirmed as part of the outbreak by the CDC: 2 in Colorado, 1 in Maryland, 4 in New Mexico, and 1 in Oklahoma. Fred Pritzker and his team are investigating other deaths that are likely caused by the contaminated Jensen Farms cantaloupe.
Evidence That Jensen Farms Cantaloupe Caused the Listeria Illnesses and Deaths
Among the 36 ill persons with available information on what they ate, 34 (94%) reported consuming cantaloupes in the month before illness onset. Several ill persons remembered the type of cantaloupe they had eaten and said they were Rocky Ford cantaloupes, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. Source tracing of the cantaloupes that ill persons ate indicated that they came from Jensen Farms, and were marketed as being from the Rocky Ford region. These cantaloupes were shipped from July 29 through Sept 10 to at least 17 states with possible further distribution.
Laboratory testing by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment identified Listeria monocytogenes bacteria on cantaloupes collected from grocery stores and from an ill person’s home. Product traceback information from Colorado state officials indicated these cantaloupes also came from Jensen Farms. Laboratory testing by FDA has identified L. monocytogenes matching outbreak strains in samples from equipment and cantaloupe at the Jensen Farms’ packing facility in Granada, Colorado.
Jensen Farms Cantaloupe Recall
In response to the Listeria outbreak linked to its cantaloupe, Jensen Farms, of Holly, Colorado recalled their shipments of Rocky Ford whole cantaloupe shipped between July 29th, 2011 and September 10th 2011, and distributed to the following states by Frontera Produce of Texas: IL, WY, TN, UT, TX, CO, MN, KS, NM, NC, MO, NE, OK, AZ, NJ, NY, PA. The cantaloupe was also distributed by other companies, including Basila Produce in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Wal-Mart Distribution in Los Lunasand, NM.
The whole cantaloupes may 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. Some recalled cantaloupe may not have a sticker.
Retailers who received recalled cantaloupe include Walmart, Albertsons, Whole Foods Market, Supervalue (retail network includes ACME®, ALBERTSONS®, CUB®, FARM FRESH®, HORNBACHER’S®, JEWEL-OSCO®, SHAW’S/STAR MARKET®, SHOP ‘N SAVE® and SHOPPERS®), King Soopers. Additional retailers received the cantaloupe, but federal and state health officials have not released a list of all retailers.
Cantaloupe Lawsuit and Listeria Outbreak Update from the CDC
Our law firm is representing the family of a man who died from complications of a Listeria infection (listeriosis) that may have been caused by cantaloupe recalled by Jensen Farms of Colorado. The recalled cantaloupe has been linked to a multistate listeriosis outbreak that has killed at least 4 people. We are also in the process of investigating outbreak cases where the victim was hospitalized but survived.
As the outbreak has grown, we have been contacted by people from several states still not listed by the CDC as having confirmed cases. We are doing our own investigation into these cases to determine if they are part of the outbreak.
After 5 days of silence, the CDC has updated its information on the Jensen Farms cantaloupe Listeria outbreak:
Among persons for whom information is available, illnesses began on or after August 4, 2011. Ages range from 35 to 96 years, with a median age of 81 years old. Most ill persons are over 60 years old or have health conditions that weaken the immune system. Sixty-five percent of ill persons are female. Among the 28 ill persons with available information on whether they were hospitalized, all were hospitalized. Four deaths have been reported, one in Colorado, one in Oklahoma, and two in New Mexico.
In addition to the cases above, there are probable cases in California, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming.
Investigation of the Listeria Outbreak
Among the 27 ill persons with available information on what they ate, 26 (96%) reported consuming cantaloupes. Ill persons were interviewed about exposures during the month before they became ill, and several of them said they ate Rocky Ford cantaloupe, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. Source tracing of the cantaloupes that ill persons ate indicated that they came from Jensen Farms, of Holly, Colorado, and were marketed as being from the Rocky Ford region.
Laboratory testing by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment identified Listeria monocytogenes bacteria on cantaloupes collected from grocery stores and from an ill person’s home. Product traceback information from Colorado state officials indicated these cantaloupes also came from Jensen Farms.
Jensen Farms Cantaloupe Recall
Prompted by the Listeria outbreak, Jensen Farms recalled their Rocky Ford cantaloupe:
The Jensen Farms cantaloupes in question were shipped between July 29th, 2011 and September 10th 2011, and distributed to the following states: IL, WY, TN, UT, TX, CO, MN, KS, NM, NC, MO, NE, OK, AZ, NJ, NY, PA. 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.
Our attorneys represent listeriosis victims and their families throughout the United States. Contact them for a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit.
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 Food Poisoning Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Linked to Cantaloupe
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Brendan Flaherty won over $6,000,000 for their clients in a Listeria food poisoning case that involved the wrongful deaths of an elderly man and unborn babies. They have a national practice and are available for a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit.
The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) has identified ten cases of Listeria food poisoning to date, with three of these cases resulting in Listeria wrongful death. In New Mexico, all 9 patients who have been interviewed reported eating cantaloupe prior to illness. This is epidemiological evidence that cantaloupe is the source of the outbreak.
All of the ill people in New Mexico have been hospitalized, including the three fatalities (this number may not reflect the loss of an unborn baby in a stillbirth or miscarriage). The fatal cases were: a 93-year-old man from Bernalillo County, a 61-year-old female from Curry County, and a 63-year-old man from Bernalillo County. The other hospitalized cases in New Mexico come from Bernalillo, Chaves, Otero, De Baca, Valencia and Lea counties. The ill people range in age from the 43 to 96 and include 4 men and 6 women. Illness onset ranges from August 20th to early September.
New Mexico Wrongful Death Cases from Cantaloupe Food Poisoning
When someone’s death is caused by a person, corporation, or other legal entity, the law allows the family of the decedent (the person who died) to make a claim for money damages. This is called a “wrongful death claim.” A wrongful death lawsuit is not a criminal prosecution. Only state or federal prosecutors can bring criminal charges. The sole reason for a wrongful death claim is to compensate the family for their loss.
It is important to have an experienced listeriosis lawyer that knows how much your listeriosis wrongful death claim is worth. It is also important for your listeriosis lawyer to be a top-notch negotiator because most listeriosis wrongful death cases are settled. An inexperienced lawyer may not know how much compensation to seek or how to persuade the other side to settle for a fair amount. Contact lawyers Fred Pritzker and Brendan Flaherty for a free consultation.
New Mexico Personal Injury Cases from Cantaloupe
There are 7 people who contracted Listeria infections (listeriosis) after eating cantaloupe and survived. These people deserve justice. We can help them hold the grower, distributor, retailer and possibly others accountable. Because of issues with insurance, it is best to determine all liable (legally responsible) parties.
In the most dangerous cases, an infection from Listeria monocytogenes may lead to septicemia (blood poisoning), meningitis (spinal infection and inflammation), or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Pregnant women are most at risk for contracting listeriosis (the illness caused by Listeria). The mother may not have serious symptoms of Listeria, but there is a high risk of the following:
- miscarriage
- stillbirth
- The baby being born with listeriosis and becoming seriously ill or dying.
Our attorneys have won money for people in each of these high risk groups, including women who were sickened while pregnant.
Pritzker Olsen attorneys represent listeriosis outbreak victims nationwide. They have won millions for their clients in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against growers, distributors, retailers and restaurants. Our attorneys have had leadership positions on multistate litigation (MDL) panels. An MDL is like a class action lawsuit but only the pretrial procedures are consolidated.
Albuquerque also issued a recall of Rocky Ford cantaloupe after two people in the area died and several others were sickened. Other cities in New Mexico include Carlsbad, Clovis, Farmington, Las Cruces, Roswell and Sante Fe.
