Update: Our E. coli lawyers represented people sickened in this outbreak. You can contact them regarding a beef recall lawsuit issued by any meat processor in the United States. The outbreak discussed below was in Michigan in 2011, and our lawyers represent clients throughout the United States.
Our law firm investigated an outbreak of E. coli O157 in Michigan that was linked to eating ground beef processed and distributed by McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC, a North Branch, Michigan, establishment. A total of five confirmed Shiga-toxin producing E. coli cases and four probable cases were reported in Lapeer, Genesee, Isabella, and Sanilac counties. Illness onset dates ranged from July 18 to 30, 2011. Those affected ranged in age from 15 to 88.
People sickened in the outbreak reported consuming ground beef either at local restaurants supplied by McNees or by purchasing beef directly from the company. Possible liable parties (companies responsible for compensating victims) in this outbreak include the following:
- McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC and
- A restaurant.
Money damages in E. coli lawsuits can include amounts for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other financial, physical, and emotional losses. If the E. coli O157 infection has caused complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), the damages will be greater.
McNees Beef Recall
In response to the 2011 outbreak, McNees Meats recalled approximately 360 pounds of ground beef product products due to possible E. coli contamination.
The products subject to beef recall included:
- 36 – 10 lb. Bags of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk.”
Each clear plastic bag bears the establishment number “EST. 33971” within the USDA mark of inspection. The products subject to recall were produced on July 15, and July 21, 2011, and sold to restaurants in Armada, Lapeer, and North Branch, Michigan. The products were also sold from a retail establishment owned by McNees Meats and Wholesale, LLC.
FSIS was notified of an investigation of E. coli O157 illnesses on August 4, 2011. Working in conjunction with the Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), 3 case-patients in Michigan were identified with illness onset dates between July 18 and July 28, 2011. As a result of the epidemiologic investigation, FSIS determined there was a link between the ground beef products and the illnesses in Michigan. FSIS worked with the Michigan state public health partners on the investigation.