Pritzker Law Firm Calls on Kroger to Pay Victims' Medical Expenses

Health officials have linked Kroger ground beef to an Ohio and Michigan E. coli outbreak. "Whether the source of the E. coli is the grocery store or its suppliers," said Fred Pritzker, a leading food safety attorney, "it is only fair that the retailer pay for the medical bills of its injured customers. The families deserve that peace of mind."

Minneapolis, MN (PRWE June 26, 2008 -- Pritzker | Ruohonen, a Minneapolis law firm that practices in the area of E. coli litigation, called on Kroger to pay the medical expenses of the victims of the Ohio and Michigan E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has been linked to Kroger ground beef. According to the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), more than half of the fifteen people sickened in Michigan reported buying and eating ground beef from Kroger grocery stores. Moreover, molecular fingerprinting testing on E. coli O157 isolates isolated from Kroger ground beef samples have confirmed the isolates to be the outbreak strain of E. coli O157, according to the CDC. These Kroger ground beef samples were collected from the homes of outbreak victims and had been purchased at Kroger stores in Michigan and Ohio.

In response to these illnesses, Kroger has recalled an undetermined amount of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157. The products subject to recall include all varieties and weights of ground beef products bearing a Kroger label sold between May 21 and June 8 at Michigan Kroger stores and Columbus and Toledo, Ohio Kroger stores. The recalled Kroger ground beef products have a sell-by date between "05/21/08" and "06/08/08."

"Whether the source of the E. coli is the grocery store or its suppliers," said Fred Pritzker, a leading food safety attorney, "it is only fair that the retailer pay for the medical bills of its injured customers. The families deserve that peace of mind." According to Pritzker, other corporations involved in E. coli outbreaks have advanced medical expenses to those injured by their food products. "Corporate responsibility means taking concrete steps to right a wrong," Pritzker said. "It is time for Kroger to step up and guarantee that its customers will not be stuck with hundreds or thousands of dollars in medical bills."

Pritzker also stated that he believes retailers should do more to ensure that meat processors follow state of the art techniques. "It is really up to retailers to demand that the meat they sell is produced under the safest possible conditions," Pritzker said. "Retailers have the market power to change dangerous practices."

Pritzker has recovered substantial amounts for victims of E. coli outbreaks associated with ground beef products sold at grocery stores. "These people suffered unimaginable pain. It has been our privilege to help our clients obtain just compensation."