Minn. Woman Sues Cargill Over Tainted Burger

An E. coli tainted hamburger left Stephanie Smith paralyzed from the waist down in 2007. Now Smith, 22, is suing food giant Cargill Inc. for $100 million, in part to recoup medical costs.

Smith became ill in September 2007 after eating hamburger produced by the Cargill division. Her E. coli infection soon progressed to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication which causes liver failure. Smith was in a medically induced coma for three months, and still remains in a wheelchair.

Smith’s attorney, Bill Marler, said that efforts to negotiate a settlement with Cargill and Cargill’s insurance carrier AIG had recently failed. Marler said that Smith’s medical costs already exceed $2 million and are continuing to add up. Cargill has already paid some of the bills and said that they would continue to cooperate with Smith’s family. The corporation added that they hoped to reach a settlement.

AUTHOR: Annette Hulbert