On November 7, 2007, a lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the District of Minnesota by a Tennessee family against Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation.

According to court documents, Jim and Georgia McDonald of Knoxville, Tennessee are seeking damages for past, present and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and “loss of enjoyment of life” for their two children, who became violently ill after eating Cargill hamburger patties purchased at Sam’s Club.

The Cargill hamburger patties were part of the second largest meat recall in U.S. history for possible contamination of Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a powerful toxin that produces severe illness, which may lead to kidney failure or even death in patients with weakened immune systems.

The McDonalds consumed the recalled beef patties on September 29, 2007. Their 4-year-old son, John, began suffering diarrhea on October 2 and their 1-year-old daughter, Michaela, began suffering a day or two later.

Both children were treated for dehydration and released from East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Both were readmitted and transferred to University of Tennessee Medical Center when their symptoms worsened.

John McDonald was hospitalized for almost a month and suffered hemolytic uremic syndrome, pancreatitis, and had part of his lower bowel and colon bowel surgically removed due to bowel necrosis. John was placed on a respirator, and received dialysis and several transfusions before released to recover at home.

Michaela McDonald was hospitalized for a week.
According to the Cargill lawsuit, three cases were linked to recalled Cargill hamburger in Tennessee, including the McDonald’s children and an unidentified 14-year-old boy. Another two were found in North Carolina, and five in Minnesota.

Sources: Duncan Mansfield, “Tennessee Family Sues Over E. coli,” Forbes.com, November 8, 2007;“Family of children sickened by E. coli file lawsuit,” Knoxville Sentinel, November 7, 2007.