As the Associated Press reported today, a man who needed a liver transplant after he got hepatitis A from a Chi-Chi’s restaurant has settled a lawsuit against the bankrupt chain for $6.25 million US.
Richard Miller, 58, was among 660 people sickened by scallions served at a Chi-Chi’s near Pittsburgh in the fall of 2003. Four people died in the outbreak.
A federal judge Thursday approved the settlement, which includes a $4.1-million trust to pay for Miller’s care. Miller is married, with three children.
“The Millers are happy to have the litigation behind them,” said lawyer William Marler. “No amount of money ever makes losing your liver worth it, certainly.”
The chain of Mexican restaurants said it has paid more than $40 million to settle hundreds of lawsuits over the outbreak. The company sold all its restaurants to Outback Steakhouse Inc. last year.