A legal challenge has been mounted against Boar’s Head, alleging negligence in preventing listeria contamination of their products, which directly led to the outbreak in Oregon.
The lawsuit highlights significant lapses in maintaining proper sanitation at their production facilities, contributing to the spreading of the bacteria.
This comprehensive guide delves into the outbreak specifics, current legal proceedings, and the process for initiating a claim. Continue reading to understand how you can seek compensation if you’ve been affected.
For those in Oregon who have been impacted by the Boar’s Head listeria outbreak, Schmidt & Clark, LLP stands ready to offer assistance. Our firm, with its proven record of representing plaintiffs, is committed to ensuring you receive fair compensation and justice.
Table Of Contents
- How Can S&C Help with Your Claim?
- Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak: Latest Updates
- What is Listeria Monocytogenes?
- Who Can File a Boar’s Head Meat Lawsuit in Oregon?
- Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak Lawsuit Average Settlement Amounts in Oregon
- What Is The Current Legal Status?
- Filing a Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak Lawsuit in Oregon
- Get Your Free Consultation From Oregon Boar’s Head Lawsuit Lawyers
- Reference:
How Can S&C Help with Your Claim?
S&C can help with your claim by navigating the intricacies of legal claims following a listeria infection.
Our experienced team can help by:
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Conducting a thorough assessment of claims, encompassing both economic and non-economic damages.
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Providing complimentary initial consultations to offer top-tier legal advice without any upfront costs.
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Assisting clients in understanding the applicable statutes of limitations and maintaining clear, ongoing communication throughout the legal journey.
Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak: Latest Updates
The Boar’s Head listeria outbreak in Oregon, initially reported on May 29, 2024, has rapidly increased, with 22 cases confirmed across the state as of July 30, 2024. The Associated Press has documented several lawsuits against Boar’s Head by affected individuals in Oregon.
Federal health authorities identified the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes after analyzing a liverwurst sample from Boar’s Head provisions in Oregon.
This finding triggered a massive recall of over 2,800 tons of Boar’s Head deli products manufactured between May 10 and July 29, 2024. The positive listeria test on Boar’s Head liverwurst led to a product recall spanning multiple Oregon counties.
The recall affected over 60 packaged items distributed throughout Oregon, significantly impacting consumers. The contaminated Boar’s Head Deli meat has resulted in severe health consequences, including fatalities and hospitalizations within the state.
Boar’s Head’s Violations of Food Safety Regulations
The listeria outbreak stemmed from severe violations of food safety protocols at a Boar’s Head facility in Virginia.
The plant was found to have breached federal regulations 69 times over the past year, including mold growth, insect infestations, and unsanitary conditions like blood on the floor. Despite multiple warnings from inspectors, the facility failed to address these serious concerns, contributing to the outbreak [1].
Despite receiving warnings, Boar’s Head failed to address these issues adequately, resulting in persistent sanitation problems. The presence of condensation, which promoted listeria growth, led to suspended inspections and a class action lawsuit in Oregon.
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Which Boar’s Head Products Are Recalled in Oregon?
The Boar’s Head products recalled in Oregon include liverwurst, bologna, and roast beef produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, with sell-by dates ranging from July 25, 2024, to August 30, 2024 [2].
The health hazards associated with these contaminated Boar’s Head products are substantial, having caused multiple illnesses and deaths across several Oregon counties.
Consumers are advised to look for USDA inspection marks ‘EST. 12612’ or ‘P-12612’ on product labels, including prepackaged deli items and those sliced at retail delis sourced from the Oregon facility.
Due to health safety concerns, the recall extends to all ready-to-eat meat and poultry products sold under the Boar’s Head brand in Oregon.
What is Listeria Monocytogenes?
Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy bacterium that can survive on surfaces and in ready-to-eat meat products. It’s a frequent culprit in food poisoning outbreaks [3].
This bacterium spreads rapidly among equipment, surfaces, food, and hands and can thrive in soil, water, and animal feces. Refrigeration does not eliminate listeria bacteria in contaminated meats, making it a persistent food safety threat.
The highest-risk groups include older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems. The CDC monitors the illness, reports on deaths and hospitalizations, and urges consumers to be vigilant about recalled products. Severe cases of listeriosis typically require antibiotic treatment.
Listeria Symptoms
Listeria infection symptoms can vary widely and manifest anywhere from the same day to 70 days after consuming contaminated food.
Common symptoms include [4]:
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Elevated body temperature
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Muscular discomfort
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Digestive issues
Severe cases may lead to:
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Intense headaches
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Neck rigidity
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Mental confusion
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Impaired balance
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Seizures
For expectant mothers, while the infection may present with mild symptoms, it can lead to severe complications such as miscarriage or stillbirth.
Who Can File a Boar’s Head Meat Lawsuit in Oregon?
Individuals who have consumed recalled Boar’s Head deli meats and subsequently suffered a severe illness linked to listeria can file a Boar’s Head Meat lawsuit in Oregon. This includes those who required hospitalization due to listeriosis and families who have lost loved ones to the infection.
It’s crucial to act promptly, as Oregon’s statute of limitations sets specific timeframes for filing claims, sometimes as short as two years.
Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak Lawsuit Average Settlement Amounts in Oregon
Settlement amounts in listeria lawsuits can vary significantly, influenced by illness severity and associated damages. Generally, more severe cases involving extended hospitalization or long-term health impacts tend to receive higher compensation.
Victims may seek compensation for economic damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. In cases of fatality, families may file wrongful death claims.
Legal claims can also cover victims’ emotional distress, and some settlements may account for long-term care needs resulting from listeria-related health complications.
What Is The Current Legal Status?
The current legal landscape offers two primary avenues for action: individual lawsuits and class action lawsuits. Individual lawsuits provide tailored strategies and greater control, often resulting in higher compensation as the payout isn’t divided among multiple plaintiffs.
Class action lawsuits can help reduce costs and streamline the legal process by consolidating multiple claims into one case. However, it’s important to note that filing eligibility is time-sensitive and governed by statute limitations.
The ongoing legal proceedings aim to hold Boar’s Head Deli accountable for the health impacts caused by its contaminated deli meats in Oregon. Evidence from health officials strengthens the plaintiffs’ case. The lawsuit seeks compensation for all victims affected by the state outbreak.
“Listeria causes severe infection in the elderly, neonates and the immunocompromised with only a self-limited gastrointestinal infection in the immunocompetent.”- Denver Rogalla, Emergency Medicine Resident Physician- PGY 3- Grand Strand Medical Center
Filing a Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak Lawsuit in Oregon
Initiating a lawsuit begins with a complimentary case review to explore your legal options. Essential evidence may include medical records and purchase receipts linking the illness to contaminated products bought in Oregon.
While most cases are resolved through settlements, some may proceed to court if an agreement cannot be reached.
Typically, lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning claimants are not required to pay upfront fees.
Get Your Free Consultation From Oregon Boar’s Head Lawsuit Lawyers
Schmidt & Clark,LLP is committed to providing support during these challenging times. If the Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak has impacted you or a loved one in Oregon, we encourage you to contact us.
Our skilled legal team, specializing in foodborne illness cases, will guide you through every step of the legal process.
We will help you understand your rights and evaluate your eligibility for compensation related to the listeria outbreak in Oregon. Our consultations are free and only charge fees if we successfully win your case.
Contact us today for a comprehensive evaluation of your situation and to explore your legal options.
Reference:
- https://www.inc.com/associated-press/plant-linked-to-listeria-deaths-had-many-food-safety-violations.html
- https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/boars-head-provisions-co–recalls-ready-eat-liverwurst-and-other-deli-meat-products
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534838/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/listeria-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20355269