An elderly Missouri couple has filed the first lawsuit in connection with a recent listeria outbreak linked to boar’s head meat sliced on a deli counter that has sickened nearly 30 people and killed two.
Patrick and Sue Fleming are seeking more than $25,000 in damages from Boar’s Head and Schnucks Market for medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life and damage to their marriage. According to the complaint filed in St. Louis Circuit Court..
“Plaintiff Patrick Fleming has lost the affection, service, companionship, comfort, guidance, advice and support from his spouse that he would normally have received in a married life,” the lawsuit states.
According to the lawsuit, Sue, 88, was “near death” after eating Boar’s Head Liverwurst purchased by Patrick, 76, at a Schnucks Market in Ballwin, Missouri in June.
She reported experiencing “nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and most unpleasantly, severe pain, tremors and weakness all over her body.”
According to the lawsuit, Su received “intensive care” at a nearby hospital and “was in critical condition and hospitalized for nine days.”
After her release, she was transferred to a rehabilitation center where she spent 11 days “trying to return to her pre-infection state.”
The 80-year-old claims she still suffers from “the effects of the infection, including a range of neurological symptoms, fatigue and general weakness.”
The Flemings are suing Boar’s Head and Schnucks for manufacturing defects, negligence and other grounds.
On Friday, Boarshead recalled 207,528 employees. lb Stop & Shop temporarily reduced its inventory of liverwurst and other deli meats produced between June 11 and July 17. The company then announced it was temporarily closing all of its in-store delis.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 34 people The recent Listeria outbreak has infected 33 people across 13 states. Of those, 33 were hospitalized and two died from the infection. Twelve of the victims were In New York.
Most people recover after three days and the illness is rarely severe, but of the 1,600 cases reported annually, about 260 people die each year. According to the CDC:.
Those at highest risk of serious infection include pregnant women who may have a miscarriage, newborns, adults over 65 years of age, and people with weakened immune systems.
Boar’s Head and Schnucks did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
