Marler Clark filed a lawsuit today against Bravo! Development, Inc., the owner of the Bravo! Cucina Italiana restaurant that was the source of a large foodborne illness outbreak in early to mid May. The lawsuit was filed in Ingham County Circuit Court on behalf of Pattie McNiel, an academic specialist at the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center at Michigan State University, who became ill with a gastrointestinal illness after eating at the restaurant on May 7, 2006.

Ms. McNiel is represented by Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm recognized as the nation’s leading law firm in foodborne illness litigation, and Michael Heilmann, a respected Southfield, Michigan, attorney. “Restaurants have a responsibility to their customers to serve them food that is safe to eat,” said William Marler, managing partner of Marler Clark. “It is clear that Bravo management and employees did not take the appropriate measures to ensure that the food being served at the restaurant was safe.”
Ingham County health officials encourage anybody who experienced symptoms of foodborne illness after eating at Bravo between May 3rd and May 11th to report his or her illness to the Health Department. On Monday, the Health Department reported that at least 360 individuals had become ill as part of the outbreak.
“We have been contacted by several other people who became ill as part of this outbreak,” Marler continued. “And we plan to pursue claims on behalf of everyone who contacts our firm.”