Widow Files Lawsuit Against Boar’s Head After Listeria Outbreak Death
Judith Adams, 71, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Boar’s Head and Publix in Florida following the death of her husband, Otis Adams Jr., a 79-year-old Air Force veteran.
According to the lawsuit, Otis contracted listeriosis after consuming Boar’s Head ham purchased at a Publix in late April, which then progressed into meningitis and sepsis, ultimately leading to his death on May 5.
This lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal actions stemming from the Listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats, but it is the first case related to a product other than liverwurst.
The Adams family is suing Boar’s Head and Publix for negligence, breach of contract, and other claims, seeking unspecified damages.
The lawsuit comes amidst mounting concerns over the safety of Boar’s Head products, which have been implicated in what is now considered the deadliest Listeria outbreak in over a decade.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have linked the outbreak to 59 hospitalizations across 19 states, with 10 deaths reported, including in states like Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Florida.
Boar’s Head Responds to Outbreak
In a statement addressing the outbreak, Boar’s Head acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, “This is a dark moment in our company’s history, but we intend to use this as an opportunity to enhance food safety programs not just for our company, but for the entire industry.”
The company has since permanently discontinued its liverwurst product, which was the initial source of the contamination, and recalled 7 million pounds of meat, including 71 products produced between May and July.
The company’s Virginia plant, where the contamination originated, was found to have multiple health and safety violations, including unsanitary conditions such as black mold, bugs, and mildew.
The plant has since been closed indefinitely. Records from the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed that products distributed from this facility had tested positive for Listeria and that dozens of violations had been documented during inspections.
CDC Warnings and Public Health Concerns
The CDC has expressed concern over the spread of Listeria, noting that the outbreak has disproportionately affected vulnerable populations, particularly people over 65.
According to the CDC, “The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses.”
Listeria can persist in refrigerated environments, making deli meats particularly susceptible to contamination. The CDC has also warned that Listeria can spread easily across surfaces, hands, and equipment in deli environments, which increases the risk of widespread contamination.
Boar’s Head is now facing multiple lawsuits related to the outbreak, including a $48 million wrongful death claim filed by Robert Roposa of Virginia, who became severely ill after consuming Boar’s Head liverwurst.
The company is also dealing with a potential class-action lawsuit that accuses it of misleading consumers by failing to communicate the full extent of the contamination.
The scope of the recall is significant, with products including ham, bologna, salami, and turkey affected. The outbreak has led to widespread public concern, with many consumers voicing their reluctance to purchase Boar’s Head products again.
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