Seminar: Food Safety in the U.S. - Does Litigation Help?

July 15/05
Food Safety Network

On June 16, 2005, Bill Marler discussed during a seminar at the University of Guelph why processors, ingredient suppliers, restaurant operators, and any operations involved in the growth, processing, and distribution of food products should understand the legal consequences and dangers of what may happen when foodborne illness strikes as a result of one of their products sold in the U.S. He discussed issues such as liability and how it is determined, the discovery process, and the importance of open communications in the event of an outbreak.

A copy of the Powerpoint presentation is available at http://www.foodsafetynetwork.ca/food/fslitigation.pdf. The talk was also videotaped, but is too large to host on the web site. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please contact Christian Battista at the Food Safety Network, cbatti01@uoguelph.ca.

Bill Marler is the managing partner of Marler Clark. Since 1993, Bill has represented thousands of victims of E. coli, salmonella, hepatitis A, listeria, shigella, campylobacter and norovirus illnesses in over 30 states. As a trial lawyer, Bill has been involved in several cases of national importance. He represented Brianne Kiner in her $15.6 million E. coli settlement with Jack in the Box, and resolved several other Jack in the Box E. coli cases for more than $2.5 million each.

In 1998, Bill settled the Odwalla Juice E. coli litigation for the families of children who were severely injured after consuming Odwalla apple juice for a reported $12 million. He has also litigated as such companies as KFC, Bauer Meats, McDonald's, Hardee's, Wendy's, Subway, Sizzler, ConAgra, Carl's Jr, Sun Orchard, Chili's, Chi-Chi's, and Malt-O-Meal. Bill speaks frequently on issues of safe food and is a principal in Outbreak, Inc. , a non-profit business dedicated to training companies on how to avoid foodborne illness outbreaks.