E-coli Victims Sue JBS Swift Company

Back in June I reported that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Cows

Cows -

warned of an E-coli outbreak at an American beef company (JBS Swift Company) that supplied meat to President’s Choice. A number of PC products were recalled.

I have learned today that a popular food attorney in the US has commenced a third lawsuit against the company on behalf of a Wisconsin family. Three members of the family became ill after consumption of the meat.

The youngest of the two boys aged 7 was readmitted to the ER where stool samples revealed he tested positive for E-coli. Subsequently, the boy developed hemolytic uremic syndrome a complication of E-coli infection.

It does not appear that there are any known cases in Canada yet.

Hold Your Wee for a Wii

Nintendo WiiIn 2007 a local radio station in the United States had a contest called, “Hold Your Wee for a Wii”. The idea was to drink lots of water and see who could go longest without having to rush to the bathroom. The victim and participant, Jennifer Strange was only 28 at the time. After the contest while walking home she complained of a headache, collapsed and died.

A legal proceeding was commenced and according to another source is heading for trial this week.

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Hep A outbreak at McDonald’s

Restaurant giant McDonald’s could be facing a potential class action due to a Hepatitis outbreak as it seems more people are coming forward with claims. The cause and spread of the outbreak is interesting. The incident occurred in Milan, Illinois and is being attributed to a McDonald’s employee who contracted the virus in June. She returned to work. However, the hospital where she was diagnosed did not notify public health officials on a promptly basis as they were supposed. Moreover, when the matter was reported there was a subsequent delay since an employee was on vacation.

It has been suspected that the infected employee likely did not wash her hands properly after using the washroom and likely had feces on her that in turn ended up on food.

MSN.com reports that a mother and her 14 year old daughter filed a lawsuit today after having eaten at infected McDonald’s alleging to have been sickened by Hepatitis A.

When the Justices Ask Questions

A recent article in the New York Times entitled, When the Justices Ask Questions, Be Prepared to Lose the Case, discusses a study by a law student who concluded the more questions a party is asked during court the likely the party will lose.

While on the one hand I see great merit in this theory, one that I have often seen myself first hand. Lawyers before a Judge have two options when the other party is getting hammered. Stay quiet and let the Judge do your work, or provide additional ammunition.

However, I can’t see how this theory is entirely correct either. Often in cases where Judges ask questions, as the article states and how I have seen first hand it’s more for clarification or to think aloud.

On numerous occasions I have seen a party peppered with questions even criticism by a Judge only to still come out on top.

What it comes down to is the fact that there is no absolute clear guideline on how a Judge will deliberate. When they feel like it, a Judge will overrule decades of precedent, common sense or simply fail to see a bigger picture.

Class Action against Yasmin?

Lawyers in the United States are reviewing whether or not there might be the possibility of a potential class action against the popular birth control drug Yasmin. Yasmin is the successor the previous version of Yaz that has also faced a number of lawsuits.

Doesn’t seem to be much in the mainstream media other than the attorney’s website. Also, Healthy Ontario a government operated website has not cited anything such concerns with the drug.

Apple tries to silence owner of exploding iPod with gagging order

Looks like Apple isn't as nice as everyone thinks:

Apple attempted to silence a father and daughter with a gagging order after the child’s iPod music player exploded and the family sought a refund from the company.

The Times has learned that the company would offer the family a full refund only if they were willing to sign a settlement form. The proposed agreement left them open to legal action if they ever disclosed the terms of the settlement.

Click here.