December 7, 2009

Cargill sued for US$100 million over e.coli in hamburger

A Minnesota woman left paralyzed after she ate a hamburger tainted with E. coli has sued agricultural giant Cargill Inc. for US$100 million, according to the Seattle law firm Marler Clark.

The suit accuses Cargill, a privately held company that processes and distributes beef, pork and turkey, among other products, of producing the contaminated meat that Stephanie Smith, a 22-year-old dance instructor, ate in 2007.

After she became ill and was diagnosed with an E. coli infection, she had kidney failure and seizures that led to a three-month coma. When she came out of the coma, she underwent two years of rehabilitation and is now confined to a wheelchair.

Marler Clark said Smith's medical bills have topped US$2 million and she is likely to require constant care and medical attention for the rest of her life.

Cargill spokesman Mark Klein said, "Cargill deeply regrets Ms. Smith's continuing suffering due to her illness. Each time Ms. Smith's family has asked for financial assistance to cover out-of-pocket and rehabilitation costs, Cargill has advanced funds to help her and her family. We will continue to provide assistance to maximize her recovery and will continue to work with her counsel to reach a fair resolution."

The suit was filed in federal court in Minnesota on behalf of Smith's guardian, William Sieben, by Marler Clark and the St. Paul, Minn., law firm of Jardine, Logan and O'Brien.