Taco Bell Lawsuit FAQ

Question: Do I need to have leftovers from Taco Bell for a Taco Bell lawsuit?

No, you do not need to have leftovers to file a lawsuit against Taco Bell. As part of this E. coli outbreak investigation, health officials have taken stool samples of victims. Tests on the stool samples provide a genetic fingerprint of the strain of E. coli that has made the victims of the outbreak sick. Each E. coli outbreak has its own unique strain of E. coli bacteria. If the E. coli bacteria that made you sick has the outbreak’s genetic fingerprints, your case is confirmed as part of the outbreak.

Question: Do I need to make sure my stool sample is tested?

Yes, your stool sample should be tested for E. coli. The E. coli found in the stool should have genetic testing done on it too. These are two different tests. The second is necessary to confirm that the E. coli that made you sick is the outbreak E. coli strain. You should contact one of our E. coli lawyers for assistance. We have experience with genetic testing procedures.

Question: What if I ate at more than one Taco Bell restaurant?

Pritzker | Ruohonen has successfully applied the doctrine of alternative liability to food poisoning cases. Under the doctrine of alternative liability, all parties linked to an outbreak can be held liable for each victim’s injuries. Taco Bell restaurants can be owned by individual franchisees, so this may be an issue in a Taco Bell lawsuit.

Question: What if health officials don’t find the food responsible for the outbreak at Taco Bell?

While it is always best if contaminated food can be found at the restaurant, it is not necessary for a Taco Bell lawsuit. The liability of the restaurant can be proven through epidemiology and microbiological tests of outbreak victims if the outbreak has been already linked to the restaurant by public health officials.

Question: Is Taco Bell the only company involved?

Maybe not. Taco Bell is a brand owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. Some Taco Bell restaurants are owned by individual franchisees and not a central corporation. Corporate and insurance documents would have to be examined by lawyers at Pritzker | Ruohonen to determine who should be sued.

In addition to Taco Bell restaurants, others may also be liable for your injuries. Federal and state investigators are looking at a New Jersey distributor that may be linked to the outbreak.

Contamination could have happened at a meat processing plant, at a farm or anywhere before the food reached your plate.

Question: Is Taco Bell liable if the E. coli contamination is traced to a distributor or another party?

Yes, restaurants are liable for any injuries resulting from consumption of food served by the restaurant. Anyone who contracts food poisoning at a restaurant is entitled to damages from the restaurant. If the restaurant then wants to pursue a distributor or other party, that is up to the restaurant.

For most food poisoning cases, it is best to sue every party possible to make sure that the victims are compensated. If one of the parties goes bankrupt or exhausts its insurance coverage, there will still be another liable party from which a victim may collect damages.

Question: What damages can I ask for in a Taco Bell E. coli lawsuit?

In a food poisoning lawsuit, you can usually ask for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and emotional distress. With the assistance of Pritzker | Ruohonen, the spouse of a food poisoning victim sued for loss of comfort and companionship as a result of her spouse’s emotional and psychological injuries. If someone dies from food poisoning, some states do not allow claims for pain and suffering and emotional distress. In those states, it may still be possible to obtain significant compensation for loss of comfort and companionship.

E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker has gained a national reputation for excellence in the area of food poisoning litigation. He and his team at Pritzker | Ruohonen have recovered millions for food poisoning victims, including a recent $6,425,000 settlement in a food poisoning case. To contact Fred Pritzker for a free consultation, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, e-mail info@pritzkerlaw.com or use the online-consultation form.

Pritzker | Ruohonen is a national law firm that represents E. coli victims throughout the United States. This Taco Bell lawsuit information is provided for informational purposes as a public service. Keywords: Taco Bell lawsuit, Taco Bell suit, class action lawsuit (we do not file class action lawsuits unless it is in the best interests of our clients).

Trademark Notice:
"Taco Bell" is a registered trademark of Yum! Brands, Inc. Our law firm is in no way affiliated with either Taco Bell or Yum! Brands, Inc. The use of this mark is solely for informational and product identification purposes.

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Foodborne Outbreaks

Oklahoma E. coli: An Oklahoma E. coli outbreak may be linked to a Locust Grove restaurant.
Nebraska Beef Lawsuit: Nebraska Beef, Ltd. has recalled millions of pounds of beef products and has been linked to 2 outbreaks.
Massachusettes E. coli: A Massachusettes E. coli outbreak has been linked to Nebraska Beef products and Coleman Meat products.
Whole Foods Market Lawsuit: The Whole Foods Market E. coli outbreak is part of the Massachusettes E. coli outbreak above.
Virginia E. coli - Goshen Scout Reservation: Dozens of scouts were sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to beef.
Georgia E. coli - Barbecue Pit Lawsuit
Ohio E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Michigan E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Multi-State Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak: Tomatoes have sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States.
Minnesota Preschool E. coli: Outbreak associated with Wonder World Preschool in Slayton, Minnesota.
Washington E. coli Lettuce: Outbreak associated with commercial romaine lettuce.
Texas Salmonella Saintpaul - Tomato: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
New Mexico Salmonella Saintpaul Linked to Tomatoes: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
Nebraska E. coli Outbreak Associated with Roast Beef
Hepatitis A - La Mesa California Chipotle - Lawyer and Lawsuit: San Diego County hepatitis A outbreak
Salmonella - Puffed Rice Recall and Puffed Wheat Recall: Malt-O-Meal cereal recall.
Minnesota Salmonella - Milford Valley Farms Lawsuit: Frozen chicken product.
Salmonella - Agropecuaria Montelibano Cantaloupe Recall: Cantaloupe from Honduras.
Salmonella Litchfield Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Recall of Dole, Chiquita and other brands.
Honolulu E. coli - Sekiya's Lawsuit and Lawyer: E. coli associated with Hawaii restaurant.
Alabama E. coli - Church Supper: Outbreak associated with Eastern Shore Baptis Church.
E. coli - Rochester Meat Company Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef recall.
E. coli - Jeno's and Totino's Pizza Recall and Lawsuit: Pepperoni on pizza.
E. coli - Topps Recall and Lawsuit: Hamburger patty recall.
E. coli - Cargill/Sam's Club Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef patty recall.
Listeria - Whittier Farms Recall and Lawsuit: Miscarriage and death linked to milk.
Hawaii Salmonella - Tuna Recall and Lawsuit
Salmonella - Safeway Ground Beef Recall and Lawsuit