Defending High-Profile Food-Borne Illness Outbreaks And Claims
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Given recent improvements in national food-borne illness outbreak surveillance, more food-borne illnesses are being identified, and more outbreaks are being reported.
By extension, many of these outbreaks are being associated with an increasing number of foods, and more companies are – either directly or indirectly – being affected.
For nearly a decade, we have been defending food companies across the country in high-profile outbreak litigation (involving meritorious and non-meritorious allegations). During this period, we have also learned first-hand that when outbreaks do occur, not all investigations are performed properly, and not all resulting claims have merit.
Because of limited resources and other reasons, many outbreak investigations are still unable to identify the real culprit, and some continue to identify the wrong source. Unfortunately, in these and other cases, many claimants (and their attorneys) continue to sue the wrong party.
Thus, when a food company is faced with an outbreak, it is critical to obtain experienced counsel counsel: (1) who understand how food-borne illnesses are tracked, investigated and confirmed; (2) who can help challenge developing assumptions and conclusions regarding potential source; (3) who can effectively respond to regulators and media during an outbreak and recall; and (4) who know how to properly defend food-borne illness claims and lawsuits when they do, indeed, occur. Over the last 10 years, our firm has written the doctrine on Defending Food-Borne Illness Outbreaks And Claims.
Although we enjoy one of the most plentiful, affordable and safest food supplies in the world, we also live in one of the most litigious societies. Thus, despite the fact that food-borne pathogens are (and likely always will be) an inherent part of our food supply, and despite the fact that individual risk can be greatly reduced through responsible consumer behavior, many individuals will continue to be affected by food-borne illness and, unfortunately, regardless of source or cause, many will continue to sue.
In recognition of your incredible efforts to provide safe and plentiful food to our families, we are proud, when lawsuits are threatened, to protect and defend yours.
