A listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats that began in May 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has now claimed the lives of nine individuals. In total, 57 people have been hospitalized due to the bacteria.
Boar’s Head recalled millions of pounds of meat, which includes about 70 products made of ham, beef, and poultry. The contaminated meats were manufactured at the Boar’s Head deli meats plant in Jarratt, Virginia. The company said in a statement on its website that the recall mostly affects products that are sliced at the deli counter.
According to health officials, the six most recent deaths have been one person from New Mexico, one person from Tennessee, one person from Florida, one person from New York, and two people from South Carolina.
This is the largest outbreak of listeriosis since the 2011 outbreak that led to the death of at least 13 people in eight different states. The 2011 outbreak was caused by contaminated cantaloupe.
The CDC is warning people not to eat the recalled deli meats, and consumers are being urged to check if they have any of the recalled Boar’s Head products in their refrigerators. According to CDC instructions, consumers should look for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA inspection mark on the product’s labels. Some of the contaminated products may be on shelves until October 2024.
Listeria can survive even at refrigerated temperatures and can live on surfaces like foods, knives, and meat slicers. Once the bacteria is ingested, symptoms usually start to appear within one to four weeks, but in some cases, can take as long as 10 weeks to appear.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, mild symptoms those infected with listeriosis may notice include fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. More severe symptoms those who are infected may notice include headache, confusion, stiff neck, convulsions, and loss of balance.
Legal Options Listeria Victims & Their Families May Have
“Consumers who contracted listeria and the families of those who died from it may have legal recourse and could consider contacting a personal injury attorney,” says Brian Colón, attorney and managing partner of Singleton Schreiber, “This outbreak and the loss of nine lives is devastating. It is crucial that those affected understand their rights and the legal options available to them so they may seek justice and hold those responsible accountable for this tragedy.”
The families of those who have died due to the listeria outbreak linked to the meats may be eligible to pursue legal claims. Some options available to victims and their families may include:
- Wrongful death claims: the families whose loved ones passed due to contracting listeria from contaminated food may be able to file a wrongful death claim and obtain compensation for funeral and burial costs, medical bills the deceased acquired before they died, loss of financial support their loved one would have otherwise provided, emotional turmoil, and more.
- Personal injury claims: those who have contracted listeria but were able to beat it may be able to file personal injury claims to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
- Class action lawsuits: if the many consumers affected so choose, they may come together and file a class action lawsuit, which would allow them to collectively pursue compensation for their injuries and losses while streamlining the legal process.
Who can be held responsible for the listeria contamination linked to the Boar’s Head deli meats?
- Boar’s Head company itself
- Suppliers and distributors
- Retailers
If you have been affected by the listeria outbreak, the team at Singleton Schreiber is accepting cases today. Contact us by calling (505) 605-2076 or emailing us at info@singletonschreiber.com to schedule your free consultation.
