More than 340 cases of salmonella have been reported since August related to tainted cucumbers distributed by San Diego company Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce. Seventy of those cases resulted in hospitalization, and two led to deaths, one in Texas and one here in San Diego. The San Diego victim was a 99-year-old woman who died three days after entering the hospital. Just today her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the distributor. It’s not the only lawsuit the company is facing; last week a Minnesota woman sued for damages after she was hospitalized after eating salmonella cucumbers as part of a salad.


These are just the first lawsuits to come out of this outbreak, but I hope that everyone sickened from the cukes looks for compensation. No one who ate these salmonella cucumbers is at fault for their pain and discomfort, and if Andrew and Williamson is at fault they should take responsibility. It’s not just for their own sake; getting justice certainly helps the victim, but just as importantly every successful suit creates a teachable moment. Other victims learn they shouldn’t have to suffer, and companies can see exactly what will happen if they let something similar happen. Making all of us safer is exactly what trial lawyering is about at its best.

And to hopefully prevent any food-born illness, here are some ways you clean harmful bacteria off of those fruits and vegetables.

If you’ve had food poisoning it probably isn’t your fault. Your first step should be to talk to a lawyer, like the expert product liability lawyers at the Elia Law Firm, APC. Consultations are free, and there are no fees until we win.

Steven Elia
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