Ron Simon & Associates Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Tarheel Q

LEXINGTON, N.C., July 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the national food safety law firm of Ron Simon & Associates, along with local counsel Martin & Van Hoy, LLP, filed a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from Salmonella-contaminated food served by the Tarheel Q restaurant in Lexington, North Carolina. 

PDF - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/ENR/235045-Tarheel-Q-Inspection-Reports.pdf

A copy of the lawsuit is available upon request.

The lawsuit was filed against Tarheel Q restaurant in Davie County, North Carolina, on behalf of the Estate of George Allen.  George consumed BBQ from Tarheel Q on June 16^th and became ill in the days thereafter.  The following Tuesday, June 23^rd, doctors admitted George to Davis Regional Medical Center, where he tested positive for Salmonella.  During the next few days in the hospital, his condition improved.  Unfortunately, on Friday June 26^th, he took a turn for the worse and began to experience renal failure.  His condition rapidly deteriorated and he died at 1:13 a.m. on Saturday, June 27^th from acute renal failure due to Salmonella poisoning.

Mr. Allen was a widower and a long-time central figure at the Cornatzer Methodist Church in Mocksville, where he had lived most of his adult life with his late wife Pauline of 66 years.  George was 94 years old at the time of his death. 

George Allen is survived by his only son, Tim Allen, 2 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Tarheel Q – 267 Victims in 21 North Carolina Counties and 6 Other States  

Health officials have now reported 267 confirmed victims from Salmonella-contaminated food served at Tarheel Q between June 6^th and 21^st.  The victims reside in 21 North Carolina counties and 5 other states. 

To date, Mr. Allen is the only confirmed death in the Tarheel Q Salmonella outbreak. 

North Carolina health officials have not yet determined how Salmonella was introduced into the food.  But a review of North Carolina Public Health Inspection reports has revealed 32 Critical Violations and 48 other violations at the restaurant since December of 2009. 

Many of the violations, including citations this year, point to improper food holding temperatures above or below health requirements meant to prevent the spread and growth of bacteria.

In addition, the reports point to Tarheel Q's failure to have an accessible hand sink, failures in premise and personal sanitation, repeat failures to wear hair nets, and the presence of "lots of flies in the kitchen." 

Copies of the inspection reports are also available upon request.

Updates on the outbreak can be found on the health department's website here: http://www2.ncdhhs.gov/salmonella/

Attorney Ron Simon Issues Statement, Establishes Tarheel Q Salmonella Claim Center

Attorney Ron Simon, who represents Mr. Allen's estate and over 80 other Tarheel Q Salmonella victims, issued the following statement this morning:

"The Mocksville community has lost a great citizen.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Allen Family.  George Allen's death was preventable and never would have occurred if Tarheel Q followed simple safety procedures. 

Through this lawsuit we will examine Tarheel Q's failures and to make sure that they never happen again."

Mr. Simon and his law firm have established a Tarheel Q Salmonella Claims Center to assist victims of the outbreak.  The Claims Center can be reached toll-free at 1-888-335-4901.

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