Gate Gourmet Shigella Outbreak Litigation
In September, 2004, health agencies from several U.S. states, as well as international health agencies, began reporting persons ill with Shigella sonnei infections. An epidemiological investigation conducted by the Hawaii Department of Health, in collaboration with other health agencies, revealed that a cluster of persons ill with a genetically identical strain of Shigella had traveled by air from Honolulu, Hawaii during August 22 through 24, 2004. The investigation established that food from airline caterer Gate Gourmet, Inc.’s Honolulu, Hawaii location was a common link between airlines and the cluster of persons ill with Shigella.
Gate Gourmet, Inc.’s Honolulu facility came under fire after an inspection by the Food and Drug Administration for numerous federal food safety violations in April, 2005. Investigators found pests and vermin, food stored at temperatures over fifty degrees higher than what is considered safe, and a ‘pink slimy substance’ in the washing machine. (The original FDA warning letter can be found at http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/g5318d.htm.)
Marler Clark commenced Shigella litigation against Gate Gourmet, Inc. on May 19, 2005 when the firm filed a lawsuit on behalf of Orlando, Florida resident Eddie Lyon. Mr. Lyon was one of 44 passengers on twelve flights that departed from Honolulu Airport in late August, 2004 who were confirmed ill as part of the Shigella outbreak. The firm filed a second Shigella lawsuit against Gate Gourmet on behalf of seven individuals who became ill with Shigella infections as part of the same outbreak. Many more are expected to have been sickened, but their illnesses were not confirmed through laboratory testing. Marler Clark settled claims on behalf of 6 people in 2006.
PRESS RELEASES:
Shigella lawsuit filed against airline caterer.
More plaintiffs seek punitive damages in lawsuit against airline caterer.
More news on the Gate Gourmet Shigella outbreak can be found on the Marler Clark-sponsored Web site about Shigella.
