What We Do
Foodborne Illness
Previous Posts
- Listeria: Zeigler Hot Dog Recall
- Salmonella Typhimirium: Alfalfa Sprouts Recall
- Listeria: American Sub Recall
- USDA to List Stores That Have Received Recalled Me...
- HC Fresh Frozen Croaker Recall
- Government Report "FDA and Fresh Spinach Safety"
- Alamosa, Colorado, Salmonella Outbreak
- Washington Cantaloupe Recall
- California Alfalfa Sprouts Recall Due to Salmonell...
- Cantaloupe Recall and Salmonella Litchfield
Archives
- October 2007
- November 2007
- December 2007
- January 2008
- February 2008
- March 2008
- April 2008
- July 2008
- September 2008
- November 2008
Subscribe to
Posts [Atom]
Welcome to the Pritzker | Ruohonen Food Safety Blog
Ethics and Food Safety Lawyers
There is no excuse for unsafe and dangerous food products. My professional life is dedicated to holding food producers accountable for the harms and losses they cause by selling poisoned food.
But just as food producers must follow laws and regulations, so must lawyers follow their own professional rules when it comes to soliciting food safety survivors for legal representation.
All lawyers, including food safety lawyers, are required to comply with the Rules of Professional Responsibility. These rules specify what a lawyer can and cannot do in soliciting potential clients. For example, many states allow the lawyer to send a potential client a letter about the lawyer’s services, but no state allows a lawyer to directly contact a potential client. That means it is strictly forbidden for a food safety lawyer to call, visit or ask someone else to call or visit a food outbreak survivor in order to seek representation. Some lawyers try to get around this prohibition by sending out investigators or “runners” to contact potential clients under the guise of “providing information” or “offering assistance.” Whatever the alleged reason, direct or indirect contact is forbidden.
Lawyers are also prohibited from offering something of value to potential clients as an inducement for legal representation. Thus, a lawyer cannot offer goods, money, services or even offer to pay the client’s medical bills in order to induce an attorney-client relationship.
Lawyers are also required to put the client’s interests ahead of their own. For example, some lawyers rush out to find clients, so they can be first to file suit. The real purpose of this practice is usually to attract more clients rather than accomplish anything on behalf of the client for whom the suit is filed. Most ethical lawyers believe it is better to first investigate the case, obtain medical records and reports and understand the client’s losses before rushing to file suit and get publicity.
Your case is judged by the conduct of your lawyer. If he/she violates the rules, you should report the lawyer’s conduct to the Board of Professional Responsibility in the state where the lawyer practices.
Everyone – food producers, food distributors, food sellers and food safety lawyers – have to play by the rules.
Fred Pritzker has over three decades of experience representing survivors of foodborne illness and other unlawful conduct. He has collected millions of dollars on behalf of food safety victims. He is also a civil trial specialist certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Please contact Mr. Pritzker for a free case consultation by email (fhp@pritzkerlaw.com) or telephone (toll-free 1-888-377-8900).
But just as food producers must follow laws and regulations, so must lawyers follow their own professional rules when it comes to soliciting food safety survivors for legal representation.
All lawyers, including food safety lawyers, are required to comply with the Rules of Professional Responsibility. These rules specify what a lawyer can and cannot do in soliciting potential clients. For example, many states allow the lawyer to send a potential client a letter about the lawyer’s services, but no state allows a lawyer to directly contact a potential client. That means it is strictly forbidden for a food safety lawyer to call, visit or ask someone else to call or visit a food outbreak survivor in order to seek representation. Some lawyers try to get around this prohibition by sending out investigators or “runners” to contact potential clients under the guise of “providing information” or “offering assistance.” Whatever the alleged reason, direct or indirect contact is forbidden.
Lawyers are also prohibited from offering something of value to potential clients as an inducement for legal representation. Thus, a lawyer cannot offer goods, money, services or even offer to pay the client’s medical bills in order to induce an attorney-client relationship.
Lawyers are also required to put the client’s interests ahead of their own. For example, some lawyers rush out to find clients, so they can be first to file suit. The real purpose of this practice is usually to attract more clients rather than accomplish anything on behalf of the client for whom the suit is filed. Most ethical lawyers believe it is better to first investigate the case, obtain medical records and reports and understand the client’s losses before rushing to file suit and get publicity.
Your case is judged by the conduct of your lawyer. If he/she violates the rules, you should report the lawyer’s conduct to the Board of Professional Responsibility in the state where the lawyer practices.
Everyone – food producers, food distributors, food sellers and food safety lawyers – have to play by the rules.
Fred Pritzker has over three decades of experience representing survivors of foodborne illness and other unlawful conduct. He has collected millions of dollars on behalf of food safety victims. He is also a civil trial specialist certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Please contact Mr. Pritzker for a free case consultation by email (fhp@pritzkerlaw.com) or telephone (toll-free 1-888-377-8900).
Labels: ethics, food safety lawyer, lawsuits, lawyers, rules of professional responsibility, solicitation
Free Case Consultation
Firm News
Fred Pritzker Listed in The Best Lawyers in America
Fred Pritzker has been notified that he will again be listed in The Best Lawyers in America.
Taste of Chicago
Pritzker | Ruohonen attorney Rich Ruohonen is managing attorney for our Taste of Chicago / Pars Cove Salmonella cases, which involve a Salmonella outbreak with over 180 confirmed cases of Salmonella. Contact Rich Ruohonen regarding these cases at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free).
E. coli Wrongful Death Settlement
We have recently settled a number of E. coli cases involving victims of various E. coli outbreaks, including a wrongful death claim.
Attorney Rich Ruohonen Has Article Published
Rich Ruohonen's recently published article addresses effective cross examination of the defence neuropsychologist.
Foodborne Outbreaks
- Iowa E. coli: Raw apple cider may be associated with an Iowa E. coli outbreak.
- University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) E. coli: At least 8 people have been sickened, 7 of them students.
- Michigan E. coli Lettuce: A Michigan E. coli outbreak has been associated with bagged iceberg lettuce distributed by Aunt Mid's Produce Company.
- Aunt Mid's Lawsuit: People in Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak.
- University of Michigan and MSU E. coli Lawsuit: 7 students at Michigan State University and 3 students at the University of Michigan have contracted E. coli infections.
- Hendricks Farm Campylobacter outbreak associated with Hendricks Farm & Dairy in Telford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
- Oklahoma E. coli: An Oklahoma E. coli outbreak may be linked to a Locust Grove restaurant.
- Nebraska Beef Lawsuit: Nebraska Beef, Ltd. has recalled millions of pounds of beef products and has been linked to 2 outbreaks.
- Massachusettes E. coli: A Massachusettes E. coli outbreak has been linked to Nebraska Beef products and Coleman Meat products.
- Whole Foods Market Lawsuit: The Whole Foods Market E. coli outbreak is part of the Massachusettes E. coli outbreak above.
- Virginia E. coli - Goshen Scout Reservation: Dozens of scouts were sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to beef.
- Georgia E. coli - Barbecue Pit Lawsuit
- Ohio E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
- Michigan E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
- Multi-State Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak: Tomatoes have sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States.
- Minnesota Preschool E. coli: Outbreak associated with Wonder World Preschool in Slayton, Minnesota.
- Washington E. coli Lettuce: Outbreak associated with commercial romaine lettuce.
- Texas Salmonella Saintpaul - Tomato: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
- New Mexico Salmonella Saintpaul Linked to Tomatoes: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
- Nebraska E. coli Outbreak Associated with Roast Beef
- Hepatitis A - La Mesa California Chipotle - Lawyer and Lawsuit: San Diego County hepatitis A outbreak
- Salmonella - Puffed Rice Recall and Puffed Wheat Recall: Malt-O-Meal cereal recall.
- Minnesota Salmonella - Milford Valley Farms Lawsuit: Frozen chicken product.
- Salmonella - Agropecuaria Montelibano Cantaloupe Recall: Cantaloupe from Honduras.
- Salmonella Litchfield Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Recall of Dole, Chiquita and other brands.
- Honolulu E. coli - Sekiya's Lawsuit and Lawyer: E. coli associated with Hawaii restaurant.
- Alabama E. coli - Church Supper: Outbreak associated with Eastern Shore Baptis Church.
- E. coli - Rochester Meat Company Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef recall.
- E. coli - Jeno's and Totino's Pizza Recall and Lawsuit: Pepperoni on pizza.
- E. coli - Topps Recall and Lawsuit: Hamburger patty recall.
- E. coli - Cargill/Sam's Club Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef patty recall.
- Listeria - Whittier Farms Recall and Lawsuit: Miscarriage and death linked to milk.
- Hawaii Salmonella - Tuna Recall and Lawsuit
- Salmonella - Safeway Ground Beef Recall and Lawsuit