Boar’s Head Settles with Widow Following Listeria Outbreak

Boar’s Head has agreed to pay $4 million to a Long Island widow after her husband fell ill from contaminated Liverwurst and subsequently died.

Robert Hamilton, 73, was admitted to the University of Nassau Medical Center with severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and a high fever on July 12, 2024. He passed away just six days later.

Now, his 55-year-old wife, Kathleen Hamilton, is keen to move past the scandal. The number of grieving families and victims receiving compensation from the famous deli meat brand appears to be increasing.

“They want to keep the root causes of this outbreak under wraps,” remarked Food Safety Attorney Brendan Flaherty. “They might find themselves facing the consequences for the devastation this has caused.”

This deadly Listeria outbreak has been linked to serious issues at the now-closed Jarat facility in Virginia. Federal inspections revealed concerning conditions, including mold, insects, rusty equipment, and clogged drains.

Reports indicate that at least 61 people across 19 states have been infected, with 10 fatalities, including Hamilton.

“The facts are quite alarming,” stated Ron Simon, a food safety lawyer who represents several victims. “They can’t easily move past this, and it impacts their reputation.”

In the meantime, Boar’s Head and their insurance company are reportedly limiting quick settlements for victims, including vulnerable populations like pregnant women and the elderly.

“I’m not going to discuss it,” said 88-year-old Sue Fleming from Highridge, Missouri, who got sick last year after enjoying a wild boar Head River sandwich. “Just some lettuce, bread, a little mayo, and pickles.”

After an arduous recovery that involved 11 days of rehabilitation following her hospital stay, Fleming opted not to confirm if she had settled.

Boar’s Head claimed to be taking significant steps to address the issues caused by last year’s recall, including new safety measures and reaching agreements with affected consumers.

Despite the tragic loss of Hamilton, Boar’s Head has plans to reopen the Jarratt facility, which has remained closed for over a year.

“We are fully committed to food safety and continually invest in our processes and facilities to uphold quality standards for our customers,” stated a company spokesperson.

The $4 million settlement for Hamilton was filed in federal court, although attorney Bill Mahler had requested to protect her privacy. Originally, the widow had sought $20 million.

Mahler has secured 11 confidential agreements related to the outbreak but did not elaborate on specifics.

In another matter, the privately held company, with an estimated yearly revenue of $3 billion, quietly allocated over $3.1 million for about 66,000 customers who had not received refunds for recalled products.

“Our case was resolved even before the court deemed it a class action,” said lead lawyer Jason Sultzer.

Experts note that Boar’s Head’s approach to settling cases is unusual for a company of its size.

“It’s quite rare for a large corporation to expedite settlements like this,” Flaherty commented. “Typically, large firms require extensive legal proceedings. It seems like Boar’s Head is eager to mitigate the damage.”

Yet, many cases remain unresolved, and additional claims are anticipated as victims pursue justice for their illnesses. Some estimates suggest that nearly half of the confirmed victims have not yet filed lawsuits.

Among these is Gunter Morgenstein, who tragically passed away last year after consuming wild boar Liverwurst, as well as Jeffrey Scott Cox, who has battled health issues for months after a Listeria infection.

Simon, representing victims like Morgenstein’s family, noted that the company seems primarily focused on damage control.

There are also ongoing cases, including that of Angel Claffrey, 68, from New Jersey, who developed serious health issues after eating a sandwich in July 2024 and now requires daily medical treatments.

Jeffrey Scott Cox from Alabama was put on a ventilator six months ago after consuming Bologna. Sadly, he passed away in February, leaving behind a family.

Lastly, 73-year-old Robert Lenavitz from New Jersey died in June 2024 after eating contaminated Liverwurst, with his wife suing both Boar’s Head and the store where the meat was purchased.