ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Two new lawsuits have been filed, and five others have been amended against Taylor Farms, a farming foods company accused in a St. Louis County E. coli outbreak that sickened more than 100 people last year.
Attorneys at Marler Clark, Inc., PS announced new and amended lawsuits Thursday against Taylor Farms California, Inc. in Salinas, California. The company manufactures and distributes produce nationwide.
According to Marler Clark, one of the new lawsuits was filed this week in St. Louis County Circuit Court and the other was filed in Indiana. Additionally, the law firm amended five existing lawsuits, four in St. Louis County and one in federal court.
Last year, St. Louis County health officials reported at least 115 cases and 13 hospitalizations from an E. coli outbreak from November to December. The outbreak has been linked to several catered events, including one attended by students, staff and parents from the Rockwood School District.
At least two people were later diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication of E. coli that can cause kidney failure.
According to Marler Clark, seven subclusters of illnesses have been identified between Missouri and 14 other states.
“Because we represent people and families from several states that were WGS matches to each other, it was not long until our on-staff Epidemiologist determined that the common link was that all clients consumed Taylor Farms romaine lettuce in the outbreak period,” said William “Bill” Marler, E. coli attorney, via a news release.
The firm also criticized federal agencies, notably the CDC and FDA, for failing to publicly identify the source of the outbreak, prompting a renewed focus on legal action.
Previous lawsuits have accused Taylor Farms of strict product liability, breach of implied warranty, and negligence, alleging that the company failed to monitor the conditions of their products, follow proper sanitation procedures, and properly train employees on E. coli prevention measures.
The lawsuits contend that affected patients have suffered long-term health complications, incurring significant financial damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and setbacks in future earning potential.
In response to new and amended lawsuits, a spokesperson from Taylor Farms shared the following statement with FOX 2:
“Taylor Farms product WAS NOT the source of the referenced 2024 E. Coli outbreak. We perform extensive raw and finished product testing on all our product and there was no evidence of contamination. Any reporting that connects Taylor Farms products to these heartbreaking illnesses is dangerous, irresponsible and unfair to the impacted families.”
Taylor Farms has denied responsibility for the outbreak and the company adds it is “considering all legal action to defend itself.”
Another company tied to previous legal proceedings, André’s Banquets and Catering, has shared the following statement with FOX 2 on behalf of owner John Armengol Jr. following the new and amended lawsuits:
“There have been two truths since the national E. coli outbreak six months ago: my business should have never been named publicly until the investigation was complete, and my company has been a victim in this ordeal. I appreciate that attorneys handling some cases associated with the outbreak are now acknowledging those truths when talking to the St Louis media. I am pleased to learn those attorneys intend to drop my company from their lawsuits and that federal investigators have concluded my business was not the source of the outbreak. The St. Louis County Health Department was wrong when it went outside its normal procedures and publicly named my company before the investigation was complete. I hope it’s learned from this mistake and won’t subject another business to harm in the future.”
