Nationally recognized attorney and food safety advocate Bill Marler will discuss the 2011 Listeria outbreak traced to “Rocky Ford” cantaloupes during a public address at the University of Arkansas School of Law on Friday. The address is part of a condensed course Marler is teaching to students enrolled in the LL.M. Program in Agriculture. It is open to the public.
During his address, which is officially titled, “The ‘Rocky Ford’ Listeria Cantaloupe Outbreak—The Good, the Bad and the Ugly—How a Fruit Killed 33 Americans,” Marler will focus on current litigation playing out in the aftermath of what became the deadliest Listeria outbreak in decades. He will explain why auditors have been named as defendants in lawsuits alongside the cantaloupe grower, distributor and retailers, and will answer questions from the audience.
“The Jensen Farms cantaloupe Listeria outbreak provides a perfect case-study for law students who want real-life examples of how strict liability plays out and why indemnity agreements and insurance coverage can make or break a business,” Marler said.
Date: Friday, November 9, 2012
Time: 1:00 – 1:50p.m.
Location: Room 339, University of Arkansas School of Law
Marler’s firm, Marler Clark, has filed 14 lawsuits* against various companies involved in the growing, distribution, and sale of the contaminated cantaloupes. In total, the law firm represents 44 families with members who became ill with Listeria infections after eating contaminated cantaloupes grown by Jensen Farms. Marler Clark also represents victims of recent outbreaks traced to mangoes, peanut butter, lettuce as well as more cantaloupes.
*U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana Case No. 3:12-CV-00588-FJP-DLD
Canadian County, Oklahoma District Court Case No. CJ-2011-709
Bernalillo County, New Mexico District Court Case No. D-202-CV-2011-12566
Bossier Parish, Louisiana District Court Case No. 139958
Brazoria County, Texas District Court Case No. 65009
El Paso County, Colorado District Court Case No. 2012-CV-1196
Dallas County, Texas District Court Case No. DC11-12866
Douglas County, Colorado District Court Case No. 2012-CV-779
El Paso County, Colorado District Court Case No. 2011-DV-5007
Arapahoe County, Colorado District Court, Case No. 2011-CV-1891
Lea County, New Mexico District Court, Case No. CV2011-1074
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma Case No. CIV 6:11-348-SPS
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland Case No. 1:11-CV-2810
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri Case No. 11-CV-04280-FJG