Screen Shot 2012-08-24 at 2.30.05 PM.pngToday, Seattle-based Marler Clark, the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of foodborne illness, filed an amended complaint today against Wal-Mart by adding Chamberlain Farms to the lawsuit on behalf of a Michigan family stricken by the latest cantaloupe-related Salmonella outbreak. The complaint was filed in Calhoun County Circuit Court in Michigan on behalf of Battle Creek resident Angela Compton and her two children, who both fell ill with Salmonella Typhimurium infections after eating cantaloupe purchased from Wal-Mart in mid-July.

According to the complaint, Angela Compton purchased 3 Chamberlain Farms cantaloupes at the Walmart store located at 6020 B Drive North in Battle Creek on July 12, 2012, and later sliced the cantaloupes and served them to her family. Within days of eating the cantaloupe slices, one of Angela’s children, “MC”, became ill with symptoms of Salmonella infection, including diarrhea and painful abdominal cramping. She was treated several times by her pediatrician and was later seen at the emergency room for dehydration and was admitted to Bronson Kalamazoo hospital. MC was hospitalized for 4 days and continued to suffer symptoms of Salmonella infection for at least a week after she was discharged. MC’s sister, “CC”, fell ill with a Salmonella infection several days into MC’s illness. She was also treated at her pediatrician’s office, but required further treatment at the ER on three occasions. Both children tested positive for Salmonella Typhimurium.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a total of 178 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium from 21 states Nationwide, 62 persons have been hospitalized. In Kentucky, two deaths have been reported. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announced a recall of cantaloupe by Chamberlain Farms, of Owensville, Indiana, because of possible contamination with Salmonella Typhimurium associated with a multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis. The FDA is warning consumers not to eat and to discard cantaloupe from this farm.

Salmonella:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Salmonella outbreaks. The Salmonella lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $600 million for clients.  Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our Salmonella lawyers have litigated Salmonella cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as cantaloupe, tomatoes, ground turkey, salami, sprouts, cereal, peanut butter, and food served in restaurants.  The law firm has brought Salmonella lawsuits against such companies as Cargill, ConAgra, Peanut Corporation of America, Sheetz, Taco Bell, Subway and Wal-Mart. 

If you or a family member became ill with a Salmonella infection, including Reactive Arthritis or Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Salmonella attorneys for a free case evaluation.