Health Law

Cargill, E. coli Victim Settle Suit

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

Stephanie Smith and Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation announce jointly that they have settled the lawsuit filed by Ms. Smith in December 2009. Ms. Smith, a twenty-two year old former dance instructor from Cold Spring, Minnesota, sued for the severe injuries she suffered as a result of an E. coli O157:H7 infection in Fall 2007. Cargill acknowledged responsibility for her injuries since first learning of them and has been providing financial help to her and her family.

Ms. Smith and Cargill agree that the confidential settlement will provide for Ms. Smith's care throughout her life. She is presently paralyzed from the waist down, but her goal is to dance again. "This settlement will allow Stephanie to continue her fight to return to her greatest passion, dance," said William D. Marler, food safety advocate and Ms. Smith's attorney. "The Smith family appreciates this resolution and looks forward to Stephanie's continued rehabilitation," added Marler.

Cargill deeply regrets Ms. Smith's injuries and is also hopeful for her continued rehabilitation. Cargill has invested more than $1 billion in ongoing meat science research and new food safety technologies and interventions to eliminate E. coli and other naturally occurring pathogens that can lead to food-borne illnesses.

The parties' settlement now will be presented to the federal court for approval and dismissal of all claims.

Contact information:

William D. Marler, Marler Clark, LLP, PS, 6600 Columbia Tower, 701 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104; 1-206-794-5043; bmarler@marlerclark.com

Cargill Meat Solutions Mike Martin, Director of Media Relations, Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, 151 N. Main Street, Wichita, KS 67202; 1-316-291-2126; Michael_Martin@cargill.com

Full post as published by Food Safety News on May 13, 2010 (boomark / email).