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Alan Almquist, et al. v. Finley School District No. 53

Date: 02-21-2001

Case Number: 99-2-01123-3

Judge: Craig Matheson

Court: Superior Court, Benton County, Washington

Plaintiff's Attorney: William Marler of Marler Clark, Attorneys at Law, L.L.P., P.S., Seattle, Washington

Defendant's Attorney: Diehl Rettig of Rettig, Osborne, Forgett, O'Donnell, Iller & Adamson, of Kennewick, Washington; and Jerry Moberg of Canfield & Associates, Ephrata, Washington.

Description:

Food Poisoning - E. coli bacteria - Eleven children who were infected with E. coli bateria from a lunch prepared by the Finley School District in Kennewick, Washington sought compensation for their injuries and damages. Ten of the children became infected by hearing undercooked ground beef supplied to the school by Nothern States Beef. The eleventh child was infected by her sister. All of the children required emergency medical treatment and experienced stomach pain, cramping, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. The youngest child experience permanent kidny damages from being infected.

The trial was bifurcated into a liability and damages phase. During the liability phase, the jury was asked to allocate fault as between the school and Northern States Beef. The jury found that the school district was 100% at fault. The plaintiffs had previously reached a settlement with Northern for a confidential sum.

Outcome:

Plaintiffs' verdict for $4.75 million.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Phillip Tarr, M.D., Andrew Pavia, M.D., Priscilla Connors, Ph.D., R.D., Russell Allexander, M.D., MPH, Monsour Samadpour, Ph.D., Randall Jenkins, M.D. and Kathy Reid.

Defendant's Experts:

Charles Clingman, Douglas Wordell, Sana Loue, William Keene, Sharon Andreoli, M.D.

Comments:

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About This Case

What was the outcome of Alan Almquist, et al. v. Finley School District No. 53?

The outcome was: Plaintiffs' verdict for $4.75 million.

Which court heard Alan Almquist, et al. v. Finley School District No. 53?

This case was heard in Superior Court, Benton County, Washington, WA. The presiding judge was Craig Matheson.

Who were the attorneys in Alan Almquist, et al. v. Finley School District No. 53?

Plaintiff's attorney: William Marler of Marler Clark, Attorneys at Law, L.L.P., P.S., Seattle, Washington. Defendant's attorney: Diehl Rettig of Rettig, Osborne, Forgett, O'Donnell, Iller & Adamson, of Kennewick, Washington; and Jerry Moberg of Canfield & Associates, Ephrata, Washington..

When was Alan Almquist, et al. v. Finley School District No. 53 decided?

This case was decided on February 21, 2001.