Peanut Corporation of America Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak Lawsuits and Litigation
This large, national outbreak (with 714 confirmed cases in 46 states) was linked to peanut butter in January 2009. Nine people died.
The outbreak was traced to a processing plant owned and operated by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), located in Blakely, GA. The plant made both peanut butter and peanut paste, which was sold to many different companies for use in their products. Salmonella was also found in PCA’s Plainview, TX plant. In one of the largest food recalls in US history, all production from both facilities from January 1, 2007 forward was recalled, impacting more than 3600 products.
Marler Clark filed multiple lawsuits against PCA. Also, after the FDA report on findings at the plant, Marler Clark added a punitive damages claim to the first lawsuit. The National Law Journal wrote about the punitive damages claim in a January 2009 article.
The Peanut Corporation of America Filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy on February 13. The stay of bankruptcy was later lifted, and Marler Clark filed 41 lawsuits against PCA on behalf of victims of the Salmonella outbreak traced to its peanut and peanut butter products. The firm also filed a lawsuit in December 2010 against King Nut on behalf of the family of a victim who died as a result of Salmonella. King Nut had used PCA peanuts in its products.
Members of two families that Marler Clark represents testified in front of the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation on February 11, 2009.
The claims on behalf of Marler Clark clients against PCA have been resolved - settlements were approved in Virginia Federal Court on September 1, 2010. The firm continues additional litigation against other product manufacturers in connection with this outbreak.
PRESS RELEASES
December 9, 2010- Son Files Salmonella Lawsuit after Mother’s Death
September 1, 2010- Settlements Approved for Victims of Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak
April 22, 2009- Salmonella Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Family of Minnesota Man Felled by Peanut Butter
March 9, 2009- WA Family Files Salmonella Lawsuit Against Kellogg Company in Contaminated Peanut Butter Outbreak
February 19, 2009- Marler Clark Fights Peanut Corp Bankruptcy on Behalf of California Child Sickened in Salmonella Outbreak
February 18, 2009- Salmonella Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Minneapolis Children Sickened by Peanut Butter
February 18, 2009- Marler Clark Files Salmonella Lawsuit on Behalf of Las Vegas Child Sickened by Peanut Butter
February 5, 2009- Kellogg’s Added to Marler Clark Peanut Butter Lawsuit
January 30, 2009- Amid Massive Peanut Butter Recall, Marler Clark Files Second Salmonella Lawsuit
January 28, 2009- Marler Clark Adds Punitive Claim to Salmonella Peanut Butter Lawsuit Against PCA
January 20, 2009- Lawsuit Filed in Nationwide Outbreak of Salmonella in Peanut Butter
January 17, 2009- FDA Must Widen Peanut Butter Recalls
