Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

86
Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses Identifying All Potential Defendants and Causes of Action Today’s faculty features: 1pm Eastern | 12pm Central | 11am Mountain | 10am Pacific The audio portion of the conference may be accessed via the telephone or by using your computer's speakers. Please refer to the instructions emailed to registrants for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-926-7926 ext. 1. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019 Presenting a live 90-minute webinar with interactive Q&A Bruce Clark, Partner, Marler Clark, Seattle Ashley T. Davis, Attorney, Allen & Allen, Richmond, Va. Alan M. Maxwell, Partner, Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial, Atlanta

Transcript of Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Page 1: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm:

Claims and DefensesIdentifying All Potential Defendants and Causes of Action

Today’s faculty features:

1pm Eastern | 12pm Central | 11am Mountain | 10am Pacific

The audio portion of the conference may be accessed via the telephone or by using your computer's

speakers. Please refer to the instructions emailed to registrants for additional information. If you

have any questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-926-7926 ext. 1.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019

Presenting a live 90-minute webinar with interactive Q&A

Bruce Clark, Partner, Marler Clark, Seattle

Ashley T. Davis, Attorney, Allen & Allen, Richmond, Va.

Alan M. Maxwell, Partner, Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial, Atlanta

Page 2: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Tips for Optimal Quality

Sound Quality

If you are listening via your computer speakers, please note that the quality

of your sound will vary depending on the speed and quality of your internet

connection.

If the sound quality is not satisfactory, you may listen via the phone: dial

1-877-447-0294 and enter your Conference ID and PIN when prompted.

Otherwise, please send us a chat or e-mail [email protected] immediately

so we can address the problem.

If you dialed in and have any difficulties during the call, press *0 for assistance.

Viewing Quality

To maximize your screen, press the ‘Full Screen’ symbol located on the bottom

right of the slides. To exit full screen, press the Esc button.

FOR LIVE EVENT ONLY

Page 3: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Continuing Education Credits

In order for us to process your continuing education credit, you must confirm your

participation in this webinar by completing and submitting the Attendance

Affirmation/Evaluation after the webinar.

A link to the Attendance Affirmation/Evaluation will be in the thank you email

that you will receive immediately following the program.

For additional information about continuing education, call us at 1-800-926-7926

ext. 2.

FOR LIVE EVENT ONLY

Page 4: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Program Materials

If you have not printed the conference materials for this program, please

complete the following steps:

• Click on the link to the PDF of the slides for today’s program, which is located

to the right of the slides, just above the Q&A box.

• The PDF will open a separate tab/window. Print the slides by clicking on the

printer icon.

FOR LIVE EVENT ONLY

Page 5: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

5

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

How to Analyze the Scope of an Outbreak,

Access Liability and Causation, and

Calculate Damages

Bruce Clark and

Alan M. “Al” Maxwell

Page 6: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

The scope of the problem/outbreak

Liability of the defendant/client “globally” and

“specifically”

Determine insurance coverage

Determine liability of other parties - long distribution chain

Assess liability and damages for specific claimants

Evaluate counsel (number of cases in this outbreak and

others, trial history, etc.)

Mass torts

6

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Outbreak 101

Page 7: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Outbreaks involve two or more

illnesses from common source

Pathogens

› STEC / E. coli O157:H7, O145,

etc.

› Salmonella

› Listeria monocytogenes

› Clostridium botulinum

› Hepatitis

Virulence varies widely among

pathogens

7

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

E. coli O157:H7

Salmonella

Hepatitis A

Analyzing the scope of the problem

Listeria

monocytogenes

Page 8: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Gather records from CDC, FDA/USDA, state & local

health departments, Departments of Agriculture and

laboratories

Obtain claimant specific records with HIPAA releases

and FOIA requests

Match known claims with “confirmed” cases on the CDC

line list

8

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Analyzing the scope of the problem (cont.)

Page 9: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

9

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Assessing Liability (cont.)

Page 10: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

The scope (number of claimants) is always potentially

greater than the number of CDC confirmed cases (line

list)

› Claimant not tested for pathogen

› Claimant received antibiotics before being tested for pathogen

› 10-20% of patients that have infections of organisms such as E.

coli O157:H7 will nonetheless test negative for the pathogen

Account for number of minors on the list and unknown

potential claimants

Cannot assume that potential claimants had mild

illnesses

10

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Analyzing the scope of the problem (cont.)

Page 11: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

“Global” liability - is the defendant/client really the

source of the outbreak?

“Specific” liability - is defendant/client responsible for the

claimant’s illness?

11

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Assessing Liability

Page 12: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Most of the work is done

by federal, state or local

health agencies

› CDC

› FDA

› USDA-FSIS

› State Health Departments

› Municipal Health

Departments

Mandatory reporting of

infectious diseases

12

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

77 IL ADC 690.100, et. seq.:

Control of Communicable Disease

Code

› E. coli infections (E. coli O157:H7

and other Shiga toxin-producing

E. coli, enterotoxigenic E. coli,

enteropathogenic E. coli and

enteroinvasive E. coli) must be

reported by a physician, or any

other person having knowledge of

a known or suspected case or

carrier, as soon as possible during

normal business hours, but within

24 hours (i.e., within 8 regularly

scheduled business hours after

identifying the case), to the local

health authority. 77 IL ADC

690.100; 77 IL ADC 690.200

Assessing Liability (cont.)

Page 13: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

FOIA/Open Records Act Requests

13

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Assessing Liability (cont.)

Page 14: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Food History questionnaires -

“Knife and Fork” forms

Stool culture reports – PFGE /

MLVA/WGS analysis

Case Control Studies / Reports

State / CDC Line Lists

14

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Assessing Liability (cont.)

Page 15: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

15

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Assessing Liability (cont.)

Page 16: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Long Distribution Chain

Traceback is necessary all the way to the field or source

› Focus of suit is usually on the processor

Beef slaughter facility

Leafy greens processing facility

Possible distinction in produce cases depending on

whether the product is “changed” during the processing

› Spinach (washed)

› Lettuce (shredded)

16

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Assessing the Liabilities of Other Parties

Page 17: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Inventory Management with

the Anti-Terrorism Act

Anti-terrorism act –

Changes to 21 USC § 350cSec. 414 -- ``(b) Regulations Concerning Recordkeeping.--The Secretary, in

consultation and coordination, as appropriate, with other Federal departments and

agencies with responsibilities for regulating food safety, may by regulation establish

requirements regarding the establishment and maintenance, for not longer than two

years, of records by persons (excluding farms and restaurants) who manufacture,

process, pack, transport, distribute, receive, hold, or import food, which records are

needed by the Secretary for inspection to allow the Secretary to identify the

immediate previous sources and the immediate subsequent recipients of food,

including its packaging, in order to address credible threats of serious adverse

health consequences or death to humans or animals…”

17

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Assessing the Liability of Other Parties (cont.)

Page 18: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

The liability of various parties can

differ even for the same outbreak

Nebraska Beef recall July 2008

› GA cases v. OH/MI cases

Funding agreement between

Defendants

18

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Assessing the Liability of Other Parties (cont.)

Page 19: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Additional Insured Endorsements

Named Insured

Vendors Endorsements

Insured Contracts

Lot or Batch Provisions

Indemnity Tenders / Notice

19

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Coverage Issues

Page 20: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

“Women and Children First”

Opportunistic infections impacting

children, elderly and immuno-

compromised individuals more

seriously

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

(“HUS”) – long term kidney issues

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (“IBS) –

emerging claim associated with GI

illnesses

20

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Determining Damages

Page 21: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Obtain all medical records as soon as possible

Is there a possibility of future complications

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (“IBS”) symptoms frequently last

several years

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (“HUS”) is a frequent complication

of more serious E. coli O157:H7 claims associated with serious

renal and neurologic injury

21

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Determining Damages (cont.)

Page 22: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Early expert analysis is important

Early or later negotiation may depend on the illness

22

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Dealing with Claims with Potential

Long-Term Medical Issues

Page 23: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

IBS patients usually improve within one to two years but

frequently have symptoms for many years

Early analysis of HUS cases is important

› The decision to negotiate early will depend on medical picture

› Probability of future complications is usually not known until at

least one year after the acute phase of the illness

› Laboratory results after the acute phase can dramatically

increase or decrease the value of the claim

Structured Settlement/Medical Trusts

23

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Dealing with Claims with Potential

Long-Term Medical Issues

Page 24: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Claim Considerations

Ashley T. Davis, Esq.

Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen (Virginia)

[email protected]

(804) 257-7526

24

Page 25: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Claim Considerations

A. Negligence

B. Res ipsa loquitor

C. Strict liability

D. Application of product liability principles

E. Warranty claims

F. Consumer Protection Act claims

25

Page 26: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Negligence

26

Page 27: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Types of Negligence Claims

1. Negligence

2. Failure to Warn

3. Negligence Per Se

4. Res Ipsa Loquitor

5. Gross Negligence

6. Willful and Wanton Conduct

27

Page 28: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Elements of Negligence

1. Duty

2. Breach

3. Causation

4. Damages

28

Page 29: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Elements of Negligence

1. Duty

2. Breach

3. Causation

4. Damages

• what did the defendant do wrong?

• did the defendant have knowledge?

• was the harm foreseeable?

29

Page 30: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Elements of Negligence

1. Duty

2. Breach

3. Causation

4. Damages

• what happened to the product?

• delayed onset of symptoms

• other possible causes (other foods, environment)

30

Page 31: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Gross Negligence / Willful and Wanton Conduct

• Freedom of Information Act Requests• FDA (facility inspections)

• State and local health departments (restaurant inspections)

• Product Recalls

31

Page 32: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Gross Negligence / Willful and Wanton Conduct

• Customer Complaints• Yelp

• Google Reviews

• Product Reviews (Amazon, etc.)

• Internal Documents• Discovery

32

Page 33: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Negligence Per Se / Statutory Violations

• Food Safety Acts

• Safety Statutes

• Administrative Regulations

33

Page 34: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Failure to Warn

• Plaintiff filed suit against candy manufacturer alleging that he suffered dental, jaw, and hearing injuries when he bit into an undeveloped peanut in one of the manufacturer's candy bars.

• Summary judgment:

• Granted as to negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty.

• Denied as to the failure to warn claim.

Newton v. Standard Candy Co., No. 8:06CV242, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 69183 (D. Neb. Sep. 12, 2008)

34

Page 35: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Res Ipsa Loquitor

35

Page 36: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Res ipsa loquitor

• Latin for “the thing speaks for itself”

• Infers negligence from the nature of an accident or injury in the absence of direct evidence of the defendant’s conduct

• The cause of the injury must be in the defendant’s exclusive control

36

Page 37: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Res ipsa loquitor

Customer showed that the restaurant food that he ate was the only food he had eaten in hours and it made him sick.

Trial judge should have submitted the case to the jury on the theory of res ipsa loquitor.

McPherson v. Capuano & Co., 31 Ga. App. 82, 121 S.E. 580 (1923)

37

Page 38: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

No Res Ipsa Loquitorcausation

Customer alleged that she got sick at casino, but she:

• ate multiple items and did not know which one made her sick,

• did not have doctor’s opinion to support causation, and

• had pre-existing health conditions that could have caused her stomach problems

Folly v. Tunica-Biloxi Indians of La., 2003 Tunica-Biloxi Trib. LEXIS 1 (2003)

38

Page 39: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Exclusive Control• Sharp metal blade inside hot

dog

• Plaintiff bit into hot dog, broke a few teeth and cut his tongue

• Court denied manufacturer’s motion for summary judgment

Watkins v. Gwaltney of Smithfield, Ltd., No. 3:16-CV-2049, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 193060 (M.D. Pa. Nov. 6, 2019)

39

Page 40: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

No Exclusive Control

• Sausage was run through a prison metal detector

• No res ipsa loquitor against manufacturer

Foote v. Polk, No. 16-cv-641-wmc, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3846 (W.D. Wis. Jan. 9, 2019)

40

Page 41: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Strict Liability

41

Page 42: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Strict Liability

• Products liability law evolved from early common law to protect consumers from tainted food.

• Strict liability makes the seller an insurer of the product’s safety, even if the seller exercised all reasonable care and there was no privity of contract between the victim and the target defendant.

• Dates to England in 1266. First case in 1913. By 1960, strict liability as to defective food and drink was the majority rule.

Koster v. Scotch Assocs., 273 N.J. Super. 102, 109, 640 A.2d 1225, 1229 (Super. Ct. 1993), citing Prosser and Keaton on Torts §97 (5th ed.)

42

Page 43: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Strict Liability – Elements

1. the product was defective;

2. the defect existed when it left the defendant’s hands;

3. the defective product was unreasonably dangerous to the user or consumer;

4. the consumer was injured;

5. the defect was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.

Harper v. United States Beef Corp., No. 15-cv-3112, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 139096 (C.D. Ill. July 23, 2018); ; Gonzalez-Caban v. JR Seafood, 132 F. Supp. 3d 274 (D.P.R. 2015); Matthews v. Campbell Soup Co., 380 F. Supp. 1061, 1062 (S.D. Tex. 1974)

43

Page 44: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Products Liability

44

Page 45: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Products Liability

1. Defective Design

2. Defective Manufacture

3. Failure to Warn

• Product might be defective if it fails to match the average quality of like products.

Gonzalez-Caban v. JR Seafood, 132 F. Supp. 3d 274 (D.P.R. 2015)

45

Page 46: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Approaches to Strict Liability

Strict Liability

• Purpose: to insure that costs of injuries resulting from defective products are borne by the manufacturers that put the products on the market rather than by injured persons who are powerless to protect themselves.

Negligence

• Compliance with industry standards is evidence of due care.

• If an injury-causing product complies with regulatory safety standards, the product is not defective unless a reasonably prudent product seller could and would have taken additional precautions.

Newton v. Standard Candy Co., No. 8:06CV242, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 69183 (D. Neb. Sep. 12, 2008), citing Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-3304(a)

46

Page 47: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Warranties

47

Page 48: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Warranty Claims

Express Warranty

Implied Warranties

1. Warranty of Merchantability

2. Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose

3. Warranty of Wholesomeness

48

Page 49: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Express Warranty

49

Page 50: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Express Warranty - Requirements

1. Affirmative statement of fact

2. Made by the seller to the buyer

3. Relating to the goods

4. Reasonable reliance*

5. Notice*

Reynolds v. S & D Foods, No. 91-1442-PFK, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3040 (D. Kan. Feb. 8, 1993), citing K.S.A. § 84-2-313 (requires reliance); Yates v. Pitman Mfg., Inc., 257 Va. 601, 606, 514 S.E.2d 605 (1999) (no reliance required); McMorrow v. Mondelez Int'l, Inc., No. 17-cv-02327-BAS-JLB, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 140078 (S.D. Cal. Aug. 17, 2018) (plaintiffs alleged excessive sugar in belVita products; court dismissed express warranty claims)

50

Page 51: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Express Warranty – Sources

• Product Packaging

• Advertisements

• Menu Descriptions

• Website and Marketing Materials

• Verbal Warranties

Simmons v. Washing Equip. Tech., 51 A.D.3d 1390, 857 N.Y.S.2d 412, 413 (4th Dep't 2008) (defendant’s product label created an express warranty).

51

Page 52: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

52

Page 53: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Express Warranty

Actionable

biologically appropriate

fresh regional ingredients

happy, healthy and strong

Not Actionable

the manufacturer is dedicated to the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and

food safety

Leppert v. Champion Petfoods USA Inc., No. 18 C 4347, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7585 (N.D. Ill. Jan. 16, 2019) (cat food contained heavy metals and BPA, a industrial chemical); see also Adkins v. Nestle Purina PetCare Co., 973 F. Supp. 2d 905 (N.D. Ill. 2013) (statement that the dog food was “wholesome and nutritious“ was an express warranty)

53

Page 54: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Express Warranty

“Washed & Ready-to-Enjoy!”

Barber v. Sam's Club E., Inc., No. 6:17-CV-00035, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 166453 (W.D. Va. Oct. 6, 2017)

54

Page 55: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Express Warranty

Fruit Snacks come from “the highest quality fruit proudly grown on family farms” in a “tradition of wholesome goodness.”

Atik v. Welch Foods, Inc., 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 106497 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 5, 2016); Atik v. Welch Foods, Inc., No. 15-CV-5405 (MKB) (VMS), 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 136056 (E.D.N.Y. Sep. 30, 2016) (agreeing that statements are actionable)

55

Page 56: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Magnuson-Moss Act – Purpose and Scope

• Federal consumer protection act. Does not require manufacturers to give warranties, but if they do, the act imposes minimum standards.

• “Consumer” is a buyer (other than for purposes of resale) of any consumer product

• “Consumer product” is any tangible personal property which is distributed in commerce and which is normally used for personal, family, or household purposes.

15 U.S.C. § 2301, et seq.; 15 U.S.C. § 2302(a); C.F.R. § 700.1(a)

56

Page 57: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Implied Warranties

57

Page 58: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Implied Warranty of Merchantability

A merchant that sells goods impliedly warrants that the goods are merchantable; i.e.,

• that the goods will pass without objection in the tradeunder the contract description;

• that the goods are fit for the ordinary purposes for which such goods are used; and,

• that the goods are adequately contained, packaged, and labeled as the agreement requires.

Va. Code Ann. § 8.2-314

58

Page 59: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Implied Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose• Where a seller at the time of contracting has reason to

know any particular purpose for which the goods are required and that the buyer is relying on the seller’s skill or judgment to furnish suitable goods, there is an implied warranty that the foods shall be fit for such purpose.

• Particular Purpose vs. Ordinary Use

Va. Code Ann. § 8.2-315; Reynolds v. S & D Foods, No. 91-1442-PFK, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3040 (D. Kan. Feb. 8, 1993), citing Comment to K.S.A. § 84-2-315.

59

Page 60: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Implied Warranty of Wholesomeness• When a person offers food or beverage for sale to

the public, he warrants that the food or beverage is free of foreign substances and is fit for human consumption.

Gonzalez-Caban v. JR Seafood, 132 F. Supp. 3d 274 (D.P.R. 2015); Bussey v. E.S.C. Rests. Inc., 270 Va. 531, 620 S.E.2d 764 (2005) (verdict for plaintiff who got sick after eating “bad meat” at a restaurant); Matthews v. Campbell Soup Co., 380 F. Supp. 1061 (S.D. Tex. 1974)

60

Page 61: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Wholesomeness ≈ Strict Liability

• The doctrine of implied warranty is a derivative of strict liability.

Gonzalez-Caban v. JR Seafood, 132 F. Supp. 3d 274, 275 (D.P.R. 2015)

• With regard to food, it is no consequence that an action proceeds on the theory of strict liability of one who prepares and sells a food product, a tort action, rather than the theory of implied warranty of fitness for consumption.

Newton v. Standard Candy Co., No. 8:06CV242, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 69183 (D. Neb. Sep. 12, 2008)

61

Page 62: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Potential Defendants

• Manufacturers

• Packers

• Intermediate Dealers

• Retailers

• each impliedly warrants that the food is wholesome and fit for immediate human consumption, whether it is sold in bulk or in sealed packages or containers.

Newton v. Standard Candy Co., No. 8:06CV242, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 69183 (D. Neb. Sep. 12, 2008)

62

Page 63: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Defenses to Implied Warranties

63

Page 64: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Foreign-Natural Test

• No recovery as a matter of law if the substance in the food that causes the injury was “natural” to the food served.

• Possible recovery if the object was “foreign” to the food.

Mix v. Ingersoll Candy Co., 6 Cal. 2d 674, 59 P.2d 144 (Cal. 1936) (created the test); Musso v. Picadilly Cafeterias, Inc., 178 So. 2d 421, 426 (La. App. 1965); Battiste v. St. Thomas Diving Club, Inc., Civil No. 78-212, 1979 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7697 (D.V.I. Apr. 10, 1979)

64

Page 65: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Reasonable Expectations Test

• Whether the buyer could reasonably expect to find the substance in the food consumed is a question for the trier of fact.

Betehia v. Cape Cod Corp., 10 Wis. 2d 323, 103 N.W.2d 64 (Wis. 1960); Battiste v. St. Thomas Diving Club, Inc., Civil No. 78-212, 1979 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7697 (D.V.I. Apr. 10, 1979), citing cases.

65

Page 66: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Examples

66

Page 67: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Bacteria

Hotel had to show that the harmful bacteria found in the oysters served to consumer was natural to oysters and that presence of harmful bacteria was common knowledge and within the reasonable expectation of consumer.

Kilpatrick v. Superior Court, 233 Cal. App. 3d 233, 277 Cal. Rptr. 230 (1991) (reasonable expectations test)

67

Page 68: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

California Hybrid

• Rejected the foreign-natural test that California adopted in 1936 but did not adopt the reasonable expectations test.

• Dismissed plaintiff’s breach of implied warranty and strict liability claims because bones are natural in chicken dishes, but allowed plaintiff to claim negligent preparation.

Mexicali Rose v. Superior Court, 1 Cal. 4th 617, 4 Cal. Rptr. 2d 145, 822 P.2d 1292 (1992) (bone in a chicken enchilada in a restaurant)

68

Page 69: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Consumer Protection Act Claims

69

Page 70: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Consumer Protection Act Claims

Consumer protection laws were enacted to:

(1)protect consumers from unfair and deceptive trade practices used by merchants, and

(2)deter the use of those practices.

National Consumer Law Center has published a state-by-state summary of CPA laws and protections:

https://www.nclc.org/images/pdf/udap/udap-appC.pdf.

70

Page 71: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Prohibited Acts – defined by statute

Examples:

• Misrepresenting that goods and services have certain characteristics, ingredients, uses, or benefits

• Mispresenting that goods and services are of a particular standard or quality

• Using any other deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise, or misrepresentation in connection with a consumer transaction (catch-all provision)

Va. Code Ann. § 59.1-200

71

Page 72: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Advantages to Plaintiffs

Most states allow a private right of action

Provides an effective tool in combating common defenses such as:

• contributory/comparative negligence

• liability waivers

• the economic loss doctrine

Most states construe laws liberally in favor of the consumer to achieve the purpose of the Act

72

Page 73: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Possible Civil Remedies

• Actual damages

• Multiplier of damages (double or triple)

• Pre-judgment interest on damages

• Punitive damages

• Attorney’s fees

• Costs

• Litigation expenses

• Civil penalties for violations regardless of actual harm

• Nominal damage for any violation

73

Page 74: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Plaintiff’s Burden

Are parties covered by the Act?

• Is the plaintiff a “consumer”?

• Is the defendant a “merchant” or “supplier” or “warrantor”?

Is the trade practice protected or prohibited by the Act?

• Check the definitions of “goods” and “services”

74

Page 75: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

“Supplier”

• a seller, lessor, licensor, or professional who advertises, solicits, or engages in consumer transactions, or a manufacturer, distributor, or licensor who advertises and sells, leases, or licenses goods or services to be resold, leased, or sublicensed by other persons in consumer transactions.

Va. Code Ann. § 59.1-198

75

Page 76: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Defenses – Procedural

• Heightened pleading standard as with fraud, FRCP 9

• Exhaustion of administrative remedies

• Notice requirement

• Specific jurisdiction or venue

76

Page 77: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Defenses – Substantive

• Damages (economic, non-economic)

• Exemptions

• Double recovery

• Who can recover? Just plaintiff, or her estate?

• Loss of consortium

Insurance Coverage

77

Page 78: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

BANKRUPTCY

78

Page 79: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Matrices can be used to assign values based upon

various medical facts

› Status as “Confirmed” case

› Days hospitalized

› Days dialyzed

PCA Salmonella Outbreak

› Hundreds of claimants

› Insufficient coverage

› Bankruptcy Court used a matrix to classify claims and distribute

available proceeds based on discreet criteria

79

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Mass Torts

Page 80: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Peter Pan Salmonella Outbreak

› Thousands of claimants

› Matrix created to classify claims – largely employed to address

less serious claims (i.e., consumption of implicated product,

appropriate symptoms, modest specials and no positive

confirmation to outbreak strain

80

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Mass Torts (cont.)

Page 81: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

81

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

PCA Settlement Valuation Guidelines

Treatment Category * Days Ill Valuation Range*

1-2 ER/Office Visits A/B < 7 days $20-$25K

1-2 ER/Office Visits A/B > 7 days $25K-30K

3+ ER/Office Visits A/B < 7 days $30K-$35K

3+ ER/Office Visits A/B > 7 days $35K-$50K

1 Day Hospital A/B $35K-$50K

2 Days Hospital A/B $45K-$65K

3 Days Hospital A/B $50K-$85K

4 Days Hospital A/B $60K-$125K

5 Days Hospital A/B $90K-$150K

6+ Days Hospital A/B $100K-$200K

*Category A and B claims were claims for Confirmed and Probable cases,

respectively

*Category C Claims – initial value decreased $5,000

*The longer the hospitalization/illness, the more subjective the valuation

*Accounting for age, medical costs, and sequelae

Mass Torts (cont.)

Page 82: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Engage Plaintiff/Defense Lawyers

› Establish a resolution dialogue

› Discourage suit filings

› Maintain credibility

Matrix

› Stress qualifying criteria and documentation

› Insist lawyers work up their cases and demonstrate proof to

some degree

› Maintain a “case by case” mentality

82

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Settlement Strategy Execution

Page 83: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Mediations

› Invaluable tool in these cases – informs both sides

› Don’t underestimate the power of apology

› An unsuccessful mediation is not a waste of time

MDL Option

› Empowers case management

› Reduces defense costs

› Eliminates inconsistent treatment

83

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Settlement Strategy Execution (cont.)

Page 84: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Class Actions

› Generally not a suitable tool for food borne illness litigation

› Have consistently fought class certification

Tends to commoditize claims and runs contrary to a “case by case”

mentality

Settle Your Losers (culture-confirmed cases)

› Trial of these cases can incite other filings

› Also pose potential for big verdict or punitive damages

84

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Settlement Strategy Execution (cont.)

Page 85: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Try Some “Winners” (no causation, modest injury)

› Success will:

Discourage other similar filings

Reduce Plaintiff’s settlement expectations

Overall Philosophy

› To the extent possible, be:

Fair

Consistent

Firm

85

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Settlement Strategy Execution (cont.)

Page 86: Food Poisoning and Other Foodborne Harm: Claims and Defenses

Bruce Clark

Marler Clark

[email protected]

Alan M. Maxwell

Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial

[email protected]

86

ATLANTA LAS VEGAS MIAMI

Thank You