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Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

Sam's Club Lawsuit

Sam's Club E. coliSAM'S CLUB HAMBURGER LAWSUIT AND E. COLI LAWYER INFORMATION: (October 2007) Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. is investigating E. coli cases that may be connected with the Sam's Club hamburger recall.  The first identified victims of this outbreak were 4 Minnesota children. (Read about the Minnesota Sam's Club E. coli infections.)  5 people in Minnesota, 4 people in Wisconsin, 2 children in North Carolina, and 3 children in Tennessee have been linked to Sam's Club hamburgers processed by Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation.  (Read about the related Cargill hamburger recall.)  We have also been contacted by people from other states regarding this outbreak.

The E. coli O157:H7 strain involved in this outbreak is causing an unusually high percentage of victims to develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).  HUS is the leading cause of kidney failure in the United States and the leading cause of death in patients with E. coli infections.  Adults can also develop HUS.  We are currently representing the families of women who died from E. coli-related HUS.  Please e-mail Cargill hamburger recall information to friends and family to help prevent more illnesses.

Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. has a national reputation, and attorneys at the firm have been interviewed by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Lawyers USA and others.  In recognition of their accomplishments, Fred Pritzker, Elliot Olsen and Eric Hageman have been named "Super Lawyers" by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.  The firm represents victims of E. coli outbreaks throughout the United States.  To contact Fred Pritzker about a Sam's Club lawsuit, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. online consultation form.

Below is the Minnesota Department of Health press release regarding the Sam's Club E. coli outbreak.  Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. is providing it here as a public service.

Minnesota Department of Health Press Release: E. coli O157:H7 cases linked to frozen ground beef patties purchased at Sam’s Club stores in August and September

October 5, 2007 - State health and agriculture officials are investigating four cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection in Minnesota residents associated with eating ground beef patties purchased from Sam’s Club stores in August and September.

Routine monitoring by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) found that the cases of illness were caused by E. coli O157:H7 with the same DNA fingerprint. All four cases were related to pre-made frozen ground beef patties purchased at Sam’s Club stores in the Twin Cities metro area. The people became ill between September 10 and 20 after consuming the meat. The brand name of the implicated frozen ground beef patties was “American Chef’s Selection Angus Beef Patties.”

All four cases were children. Two of the cases developed hemolytic uremic syndrome and were hospitalized. One case has been discharged and one remains hospitalized.  [Contact an E. coli lawyer at the law firm of Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. for information regarding compensation for medical expenses, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering.  Compensation should include amounts for future expenses and future pain and suffering.]

“The Sam’s Club stores currently involved include the Eagan, Maple Grove and White Bear Lake stores. However, we can’t be certain that meat from other stores is not involved, since the brand of implicated frozen ground beef patties was likely sold at other Sam’s Club locations,” said Heidi Kassenborg, Acting Director of the Dairy and Food Inspection Division of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).

American Chef’s Selection Angus frozen Ground Beef Patties that were purchased on or after August 26, 2007 from a Sam’s Club store, whether still in the refrigerator or freezer, should not be used, but should be discarded or returned to the store, officials said.  [If you have recalled hamburgers, do not return or discard them until you are sure no one was sickened.  The incubation period for E. coli is at most 10 days.  If you are diagnosed with E. coli, contact Pritzker | Olsen, P.A..] 

“Thorough cooking kills E. coli bacteria. However, we know that some of this meat was contaminated so it is safer to eliminate the risk altogether by recommending that people not consume the meat,” said Kirk Smith, Supervisor of the Foodborne Illness Unit with MDH.

As a precautionary measure, Sam’s Club has voluntarily removed American Chef’s Selection Angus Frozen Ground Beef Patties from all of their stores and is cooperating fully with the investigation. MDA is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine the source of the product contamination.

Sam’s Club customers are urged to return or destroy any American Chef’s Selection Angus Ground Beef Patties purchased at any of their stores since August 26, 2007. Customers should return the product to any Sam’s Club immediately for a full refund. A receipt is not required.  [Again, if you have recalled Sam's Club hamburgers, do not return or discard them until you are sure no one was sickened.  The incubation period for E. coli is at most 10 days.  If you are diagnosed with E. coli, contact Pritzker | Olsen, P.A..] 

Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 illness include stomach cramps, which can be severe, and diarrhea. Diarrhea begins as loose, watery stools, with stools often turning bloody within 1-3 days. E. coli O157:H7 disease sometimes leads to a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can include kidney failure. People typically become ill two to five days after eating contaminated food. E. coli disease should not be treated with antibiotics, which can cause additional complications.

People who have developed those symptoms after consuming this American Chef's hamburgers from Sam's Club should contact their physician.


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