More legal actions begin against Maple Leaf Foods
Two more law firms have initiated legal action against Maple Leaf Foods, a day after another firm launched a class action lawsuit against the company linked to the listeriosis outbreak.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 29 confirmed cases countrywide of listeriosis caused by the listeria strain (Listeria monocytogenes) linked to some Maple Leaf Foods products, the Public Health Agency of Canada said. Fifteen of these people died; in five of the cases, listeria was confirmed as causing or contributing to the death, while the other 10 cases were still under investigation. Meanwhile, health officials were trying to determine whether another 31 cases of listeriosis across the country were linked to the same strain.
Lawyer Colin Stevenson said Wednesday that Toronto-based Stevensons LLP has filed a notice of action at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on behalf of city resident Adrienne Adie, who claims she got listeriosis and was infected by tainted meat supplied by Maple Leaf Foods.
Clint Docken of Calgary-based Docken & Co. said his firm filed a statement of claim Wednesday at the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench against Maple Leaf Foods on behalf of Brian Witwicky.
At a news conference in Toronto, Adie said she got sick after eating all-beef bologna sandwiches on two separate occasions, the first of which required medical attention at a hospital. When she heard about the outbreak, she said, "My Lord, this is probably what's making me sick."
Stevensons plans to investigate and pursue claims against Maple Leaf Foods Inc. and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods Inc. and is asking that others like Adie contact the firm with their details, Stevenson said.
On Tuesday, Merchant Law Group LLP said it launched class action lawsuits in various provinces across Canada, including Ontario and Quebec, concerning the outbreak.
At a Wednesday news conference, Maple Leaf Foods chief executive Michael McCain said he wasn't aware of any formal notices and that "it's just not the focus of my attention right now."
"Certainly right now, events are unfolding quickly and all of our attention is to try and resolve the current situation," he said. "At the appropriate moment, we'll think and concentrate what the right way to address and approach the victims of this situation."