In an article that appeared in the June-July 2005 issue of Food Safety Magazine, I wrote about how denying legitimate claims of foodborne illness increases the likelihood of overlooking real problems with food safety, and how overlooking those problems increases the risk of regulatory and health code violations, poisoning consumers, costly litigation, and public relations headaches.
On June 16, 2005, I discussed during a seminar at the University of Guelph why processors, ingredient suppliers, restaurant operators, and any operations involved in the growth, processing, and distribution of food products should understand the legal consequences and dangers of what may happen when foodborne illness strikes as a result of one of their products sold in the U.S. I discussed issues such as liability and how it is determined, the discovery process, and the importance of open communications in the event of an outbreak.
A copy of the Powerpoint presentation is available at http://www.foodsafetynetwork.ca/food/fslitigation.pdf
William D. Marler (www.williammarler.com), an attorney at Marler Clark LLP PS (http://www.marlerclark.com) has extensive experience representing victims of bacterial and viral food poisonings. Since 1993, Marler Clark has represented victims of most of the largest foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States, including the 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli, 1998 Odwalla E. coli, 1999 Sun Orchard Salmonella, 2002 ConAgra E. coli and Chili's Salmonella outbreaks, the 2003 Chi Chi's Hepatitis A outbreak, and the 2004 Sheetz Salmonella outbreak.
Bill feels that a lawyer should do more than just sue corporations. That is why he speaks frequently on issues of safe food and formed Outbreak, Inc. (http://www.outbreakinc.com), a not-for-profit business dedicated to explaining to companies why it is in their interest to avoid food illness litigation. Bill also has created (http://marlerblog.com) as a way of updating the Web on issues of interest to him.
William D. Marler (http://www.williammarler.com), an attorney at Marler Clark LLP PS (http://www.marlerclark.com) has extensive experience representing victims of bacterial and viral food poisonings. Since 1993, Marler Clark has represented victims of most of the largest foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States, including the 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli, 1998 Odwalla E. coli, 1999 Sun Orchard Salmonella, 2002 ConAgra E. coli and Chili's Salmonella outbreaks, the 2003 Chi Chi's Hepatitis A outbreak, and the 2004 Sheetz Salmonella outbreak.
Bill feels that a lawyer should do more than just sue corporations. That is why he speaks frequently on issues of safe food and formed Outbreak, Inc. (http://www.outbreakinc.com), a not-for-profit business dedicated to explaining to companies why it is in their interest to avoid food illness litigation. Bill also has created (http://marlerblog.com) as a way of updating the Web on issues of interest to him.
Marler Clark developed several Web sites about environmental contamination and foodborne illnesses in the hopes that people suffering can educate themselves about the risks, symptoms and treatment of infection, and can access other information, such as news and links to support groups.
Please consider linking to one or all of our sites. I have included our link text and descriptions, as well as the HTML code needed to link to our sites.
Thank you for your consideration.
MarlerClark LLP PS - A law firm dedicated to the representation of victims of foodborne illness.
Outbreak Inc. - A not-for-profit business dedicated to explaining to companies why it is in their interest to avoid foodborne illness litigation.
Foodborne Illness - Learn about the most common forms of foodborne illness - includes descriptions, resources, outbreaks and more.
E. coli O157:H7 - Learn about E. coli O157:H7, a deadly pathogen. Symptoms, risks, detection, and prevention of E. coli infection.
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome - A complication of E. coli O157:H7 infection that typically affects children and can lead to renal failure and central nervous system impairment.
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura - A complication of E. coli O157:H7 infection that can lead to kidney failure, central nervous system and neurological impairment.
E. coli Litigation - Keep current on the most recent litigation involving E. coli O157:H7.
E. coli Blog - A great way to keep current on news and comments regarding all aspects of E. coli O157:H7.
Hepatitis A - Learn about symptoms and risks of hepatitis A infection, and read news about recent hepatitis A outbreaks.
Hepatitis A Litigation - Keep current on the most recent litigation involving Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A Blog - A great way to keep current on news and comments regarding all aspects of Hepatitis A.
Salmonella - Information on symptoms, detection, and prevention of Salmonella infection, as well as news about Salmonella outbreaks.
Salmonella Litigation - Keep current on the most recent litigation involving Salmonella.
Salmonella Blog - A great way to keep current on news and comments regarding all aspects of Salmonella.
Norovirus - Learn about the most common form of foodborne viral illness, including symptoms, detection, and prevention of Norovirus (previously called Norwalk Virus).
Norovirus Blog - A great way to keep current on news and comments regarding all aspects of Norovirus (Norwalk Virus).
Campylobacter - Information on the most common form of foodborne bacterial illness, including symptoms, detection and prevention of campylobacter infection.
Shigella - Information on shigellosis: symptoms, risks, detection, and prevention of Shigella infection.
Listeria Monocytogenes - Information on Listeria bacterial infection: symptoms, risks, and prevention of Listeriosis.
Fair and Petting Zoo Safety - Information on the history of bacterial infections related to Fairs and Petting Zoos and suggestions for prevention.
PFGE - Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis - Information on PFGE's ability to help in the fight against bacterial and viral illnesses.
William Marler is the managing partner in the law firm Marler Clark L.L.P., P.S. Since 1993, Mr. Marler has represented thousands of victims of E. coli, Salmonella, Hepatitis A, Listeria, Shigella, Campylobacter and Norwalk Virus illnesses in over thirty States. As a trial lawyer, Mr. Marler has been involved with several cases of national importance. He represented the children murdered by Wesley Alan Dodd, an escaped Washington State convict; the family of William Louth, who died when a crane collapsed during Kingdome roof repairs; the Terlicker family in its suit against Martin Pang and the City of Seattle stemming from an arson fire; and Brianne Kiner in her $15.6 million E. coli settlement with Jack-in-the-Box. This settlement created a state record for an individual personal injury action. Mr. Marler resolved several other Jack-in-the-Box E. coli cases for more than $2.5 million each. In May of 1998, he settled the Odwalla Juice E. coli outbreak for the families of children who were severely injured after consuming Odwalla apple juice for $12 million. He represented several children in an E. coli outbreak stemming from E. coli contaminated swimming pool water in Georgia. In 2001 he successfully tried to verdict an E. coli case involving a school lunch program in Washington State. The jury returned a verdict of $4.75 million. He also resolved dozens of E. coli cases in 2003 related to one of the largest meat recalls in United States. Mr. Marler recently settled an E. coli case for a young girl for $11 million. In addition, Mr. Marler has been lead counsel in:.......
Sheetz Salmonella Outbreak
Paramount Farms Salmonella Outbreak
Sequoias Portola Valley E. coli Outbreak
Chi-Chi's Hepatitis A Litigation
Gold Coast Produce E. coli Litigation
Golden Corral Salmonella Litigation
Habanero's E. coli Litigation
Chili's Salmonella Litigation
Peninsula Village E. coli Litigation
Harmony Farms Salmonella Outbreak
Clarkston Quality Inn Salmonella Outbreak
KFC E. coli Litigation
Campylobacter Outbreak - WA State Penitentiary
Spokane Produce - E. coli Litigation
Emmpak E. coli Litigation
King Garden E. coli Litigation
BJ's E. coli Litigation
Conagra E. coli Litigation
Brook-Lea Salmonella Litigation
Kunick Salmonella Litigation
Western Sizzlin' Salmonella Litigation
Shipley Sales Salmonella Litigation
Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel Norwalk Litigation
Abbott Listeria Litigation
Robeson E. coli Litigation
Black Forrest Salmonella Litigation
Bauer Meat E. coli Litigation
Malt-O-Meal Salmonella Litigation
Golden Corral E. coli Litigation
Sun Orchard Salmonella Litigation
Subway Hepatitis A Litigation
San Antonio Taco Salmonella Litigation
Karl Ehmer E. coli Litigation
Supervalu E. coli Litigation
Linh's Bakery Salmonella Litigation
McDonalds Hepatitis A Litigation
China Buffet E. coli Litigation
Royal Fork Shigella Litigation
Kentucky Fried Chicken E. coli Litigation
D'Angelo's Hepatitis A Litigation
Viva Mexico Shigella Litigation
Sizzler E. coli Litigation
Carl's Jr. Hepatitis A Litigation
Wendy's E. coli Litigation
Senor Felix Shigella Litigation
Excel E. coli Litigation
Mr. Marler speaks frequently on issues of safe food and has formed www.outbreakinc.com, a non-profit business dedicated to training companies on how to avoid food borne diseases.
Mr. Marler is a graduate of the Seattle University School of Law in 1987. In 1998 he became the Law School's "Lawyer in Residence." Mr. Marler received undergraduate degrees in Political Science, English and Economics from Washington State University in 1982. While attending WSU, he was elected to the Pullman City Council. At 19 years of age he was the youngest person, and first student ever elected. In 1997, Mr. Marler received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the WSU College of Liberal Arts. In 1998, Governor Gary Locke appointed Mr. Marler to the University Board of Regents. He recently served as President of the Board. He also serves on the State Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Mr. Marler has been chosen by the attorneys of the State of Washington as a "Super Lawyer." He has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Attorneys. He is married to Julie Marler and they have three daughters, Morgan, Olivia and Sydney. He is a past board member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers, a member of the board of directors of Bainbridge Youth Services, and a member of the Children's Hospital Circle of Care. He is involved in numerous other civic and political causes. See also, www.williammarler.com and www.marlerblog.com.
Enter keywords:
Botulism BlogCampylobacter BlogCryptosporidium BlogCyclospora BlogE. coli BlogEnterobacter Sakazakii BlogFood Poison BlogHepatitis A BlogListeria BlogMad Cow BlogNorovirus BlogSalmonella BlogShigella Blog
