Ron Simon & Associates Files Five More Salmonella Lawsuits Against Tarheel Q

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Jun 29, 2015, 10:08 ET

LEXINGTON, N.C., June 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the national food safety law firm of Ron Simon & Associates, along with local counsel Janet, Jenner & Suggs, filed five additional lawsuits stemming from Salmonella-contaminated food served by the Tarheel Q restaurant in Lexington, North Carolina.

The firm filed the first lawsuit on Friday.

Tarheel Q restaurant plans to re-open today.

These five lawsuits are being filed against the restaurant in Davidson County, North Carolina, on behalf of North Carolina Residents Joshua Link, Timothy Johnson, Stephanie Lowcock, LeAnne Bull, and Christopher Toppas, all of whom consumed food prepared at Tarheel Q between June 15^th and the 17^th. Copies of the lawsuits are available upon request.

Joshua Link

Joshua ate BBQ from the Tarheel Q on June 17^th, and soon thereafter become very ill with ongoing vomiting, fever, chills, abdominal pain, and continuous diarrhea. He was treated at the ER in Hillsdale, NC, before being transported by ambulance to Baptist Hospital in neighboring Winston-Salem. Doctors admitted him to the hospital, where he remained for several days. His stool culture came back positive for Salmonella.

Timothy Johnson

Timothy ate BBQ at Tarheel Q on June 17^th. The next day, Timothy's fever of 102 forced him to go home from work. Timothy presented to a local clinic, and the medical staff immediately sent him to the Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center ER. In the ER, physicians ordered that he be placed on an IV, administered a battery of tests, and admitted him to the hospital. As his condition worsened, they diagnosed him with sepsis. Three days later, on June 22^nd, the physicians finally discharged Timothy. His stool culture came back positive for Salmonella.

Stephanie Lowcock

Stephanie is an expectant mother at 27 weeks who ate BBQ from Tarheel Q on June 15^th. The next day, she began to feel ill. At first she attributed her symptoms to her pregnancy, but within a matter of days she presented to Women's Medical Center and thereafter to Lexington Memorial Hospital. Her stool culture is pending.

LeAnne Bull

LeAnne ate BBQ at Tarheel Q on June 16^th, and within the next few days began to experience vomiting, diarrhea, and uncontrollable diarrhea and abdominal pain. She at first tried to wait out the illness, but later saw her physician when the symptoms would not abate. Her physician diagnosed her with gastroenteritis. Per instructions from the local health department, LeAnne reported her illness, and health officials collected a stool sample from her. Her stool culture is pending.

Christopher Toppas

Christopher also ate BBQ take-out from Tarheel Q on June 16^th. By the next day, he was violently ill. He experienced vomiting, abdominal pain and fever, and was unable to go to work. He sought medical attention, and was given over-the-counter remedies and probiotics. When his condition did not improve, he returned to see his physician, who prescribed antibiotics. The next day, per instructions from the local health department, Chris reported his illness, and health officials collected a stool sample from him. His stool culture is pending.

Tarheel Q – 200 Victims in Six States to Reopen Today

Contaminated food served at Tarheel Q has now been linked to over 200 illnesses in 6 states and 14 North Carolina counties. The victims purchased food from Tarheel Q between June 6th and 21st.

Tarheel Q's owner, Trey Payne, has been cited several times in recent years for failing to keep foods at the proper temperatures. The restaurant closed in the aftermath of the outbreak, but plans on re-opening today, June 29^th.

Health officials are still trying to determine how Salmonella (which is transmitted through human and/or animal feces) was introduced into the food at Tarheel Q.

Attorney Ron Simon Meeting With Salmonella Victims in North Carolina Today

Lead attorney Ron Simon, who represents over 30 Tarheel Q Salmonella victims, is in Lexington, North Carolina today meeting with victims of the outbreak.

Mr. Simon issued the following statement this morning: "Too many people were sickened by contaminated food from Tarheel Q. Health officials are still trying to determine exactly how feces got into the food at the restaurant. This restaurant should not re-open until that question is answered – otherwise, it is likely to happen again."

Mr. Simon will be available by phone or in person for inquiries today at (713) 819-8116.

About Ron Simon

Over the last 20 years, Ron Simon and his colleagues have prosecuted thousands of food poisoning cases for victims across the United States. His work has resulted in numerous upgrades to food safety procedures in Fortune 500 companies and in legislation designed to protect consumers from dangerous food-borne pathogens.

Mr. Simon and his clients have been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and virtually all other major television networks and print media. Mr. Simon has collected over $600,000,000 for his clients. He regularly publishes articles about food safety and litigation at www.foodpoisoningnews.com which are read by viewers in over 180 countries.

Through litigation, media commentary, and his food poisoning publications, Mr. Simon relentlessly challenges food manufacturers, distributors, and restaurants to do a better job in making our food safe.

For media inquiries or more information on the Tarheel Q salmonella outbreak and ongoing litigation, please contact Ron Simon directly at (713) 819-8116 or [email protected].

SOURCE Ron Simon & Associates