Family of Troutdale, Oregon, girl files lawsuit against Cargill Meat Solutions, alleging child became ill with Salmonella Heidelberg infection linked to ground turkey

Cindy Allen

PORTLAND, Oregon , August 17, 2011 (Business Wire) – The family of a 10-month-old Troutdale, Oregon, child filed a Salmonella lawsuit against Cargill Meat Solutions Tuesday, alleging that the child is one of more than 107 nationwide who became seriously ill with an antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg infection linked to ground turkey produced by the food giant. The lawsuit was filed in Oregon Federal District Court in Portland by Seattle-based food safety law firm Marler Clark.

According to the complaint, the child consumed ground turkey produced and distributed by Cargill as part of a spaghetti and meat balls dinner her father prepared in early June. By June 10, she had developed severe diarrhea and a very high fever. By June 15, following numerous visits to the doctor, it was determined that the antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg had entered the child’s bloodstream, and she was rushed to Doerenbecher Children's Hospital, where she was treated for seven days.

The family’s attorney, Bill Marler, says Cargill owes it to the family to take responsibility for its actions. “Most of us cannot fathom the helplessness of watching as a 10-month-old fights it out with a life-threatening illness,” said Marler, who has litigated numerous foodborne illness cases against Cargill. “No one expects to celebrate their daughter’s first birthday by blowing out the candles and wishing for no long-lasting effects of Salmonella.”

Since 1993, Cargill--the largest privately held corporation in the U.S. in terms of revenue--has been responsible for at least 10 major foodborne illness outbreaks, which resulted in 366 illnesses, 10 deaths, and 3 stillbirths. Public health officials have thus far totaled 107 illnesses and at least one death that can be linked to the consumption of ground turkey produced by Cargill.

“The fact that a company with this type of track record gets to continue playing Russian Roulette with people’s lives ought to offend every one of us,” added Marler, who earlier this year resolved the case of Stephanie Smith, a Minnesota woman who became paralyzed after eating an E. coli-contaminated Cargill hamburger in 2007.

MARLER CLARK is the nation’s only law firm dedicated solely to representing victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illnesses. The firm’s attorneys have unmatched experience fighting for victims of Salmonella. For more information or for a copy of the complaint, email cmoore@marlerclark.com or call 1-206-407-2200.

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