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Lawsuit Filed for Caramel Apple Food Poisoning Death

December 30, 2014 — Safeway Inc. has been hit with a lawsuit from the family of a woman who was infected with Listeria and died after eating pre-packaged caramel apples, according to Law360.

The lawsuit (PDF) was filed in California on behalf of Shirlee Frey, an 87 year-old woman who bought the caramel apples at a Safeway grocery store in Felton, California.

The apples were purchased a few days before Halloween and caused her to experience symptoms of food poisoning, including weakness, over the next few days. On November 6, she fell and hit her head, causing bleeding that needed medical treatment.

She was discharged from the hospital but her condition continued to worsen. On December 2, she was diagnosed with Listeria infection and died on the same day.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says at least 29 people in 10 states have been infected with the same strain of Listeria after eating commercially-produced, pre-packaged caramel apples.

Five deaths have been reported, including three that were likely caused by Listeria. Nine of the illnesses occurred in pregnant women and three invasive infections (meningitis) occurred in children aged 5-15 years old.

Recalls were issued by two companies that received apples from Bidart Brother, including Happy Apple Company and California Snack Foods.

Do I have a Caramel Apple Listeria Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting caramel apple induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with listeriosis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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