Ledger DC Journal - News, Politics & Crime

A woman from Minnesota who became severely ill with an E. coli infection, after eating a tainted hamburger has sued Cargill Inc. and now reports claim talks have broken down. Stephanie Smith, 22, of Cold Spring, became ill in September 2007 after eating hamburger produced by the Cargill division and the results were tragic.

Minnesota Woman Sues Cargill - E. Coli Infection Leads to $2M Medical Bills

According to a report from the New York Times, "Her E. coli infection led to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication that causes kidney failure. She suffered seizures and was in a medically induced coma for three months."


She has still not completely recovered and is paralyzed. The story notes that Smith's bills are already at $2 million and likely will add up to tens of millions of dollars. The question - who is at fault? Blame is being passed.

"What it comes down to is Cargill really believes it's not their fault," Bill Marler, a Seattle-based food-illness attorney said. "They believe that it's one of their supplier's faults, but there's no evidence to suggest which one of their suppliers is at fault."

A video is here that explains exactly how a hamburger is put together and why Cargill is claiming it is not their fault that this woman nearly died from the infection. She will most likely spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. Who should pay?