Foodborne Illness Litigation
Defense Against E.coli, Salmonella and Other Outbreaks
Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn & Dial's Foodborne Illness Litigation Practice Group has defended clients against outbreaks tied to a host of products, including spinach, lettuce, peanut butter, beef, chicken 
and chili. The Firm frequently represents food processing companies but has also represented establishments such as nursing homes, petting zoos and amusement parks.
Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn & Dial has experience with major outbreaks caused by pathogenic organisms including E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Lysteria. The Firm’s attorneys provide legal counsel regarding:
- Personal injury claims
- Regulatory oversight and compliance
- Disputes with vendors, wholesalers and retailers
- First and third party insurance claims
- Media relations
Recent Foodborne Illness Clients and Cases
- County fair organization related to a widespread E. coli outbreak in 2012 linked by investigating officials to a petting zoo that was part of the fair with over 100 confirmed cases.
- Served as claims administrators appointed by Trustees in United States Bankruptcy Courts for bankrupt defendants in large outbreaks involving Salmonella in peanuts and Listeria in cantaloupes in 2008 and 2011, respectively.
- Lettuce grower/shipper in national E. coli outbreak in summer 2009 with scores of confirmed cases.
- Midwestern beef processor in national E. coli outbreak in summer summer of 2009 with dozens of confirmed cases.
- Midwestern beef processor in national E. coli outbreak in the summer of 2008 with over 80 confirmed cases linked to the outbreak.
- Hot dog chili manufacturer in national Botulism outbreak in 2007 resulting in dozens of claims.
- Peanut butter manufacturer in national Salmonella outbreak in 2008 with hundreds of claimants.
- California lettuce processor in 2006 Taco Bell E. coli outbreak in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
- Peanut butter producer associated with 2006-2007 Salmonella outbreak resulting in thousands of claims.
- California spinach processor in national E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in August 2006.
- Midwestern beef processor in multi-state E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois that resulted in over 300 claims.
- Michigan beef processor that had multiple suits dismissed in an E. coli outbreak.
- Pennsylvania nursing home that successfully obtained indemnity from the wholesaler in an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak afflicting over 100 residents.
- Chicken processor in a large Salmonella outbreak in the Mid-Atlantic in which attempts at class action were defeated and cases were favorably compromised.
- Water amusement park in Georgia faced with multiple claims arising from E. coli outbreak affecting several toddlers and adolescents.
View or download a printable pdf of the Foodborne Illness Litigation brochure.
News
Events
- Al Maxwell - Speaker at Food Safety Regulatory Compliance Summit
- Al Maxwell Co-Chair of 4th National Forum on Food-Borne Illness Litigation
- Al Maxwell Co-Chair of The 5th National Forum on Food-Borne Illness Litigation
- Al Maxwell Presented at Food Claims and Litigation Conference
- Al Maxwell Presenting at 6th National Forum on Food Borne Illness Litigation
- Al Maxwell Speaker at Food Safety Regulatory Compliance Summit
- Josh Swiger Presented at DRI Product Liability Conference
- Josh Swiger Speaking at Food Safety Seminar
- WWHGD Attorneys Co-Chairs of Food Liability Litigation Seminar