Lawyers Secure Admission Of Liability Regarding ‘Devastating’ Illness Problems

Specialist Public Health lawyers representing victims of a ‘devastating’ E.coli outbreak linked to a butchers two years ago have revealed their fight for justice has taken a step forward, after solicitors acting on behalf of the company involved confirmed that Robinsons of Wingate admitted liability for the contamination.

Around 15 people were thought to have been affected by the outbreak in July 2015, which was linked to the Robinsons Butchers branch in Wingate and Billingham and also led to the closure of both sites for a short time.

Public Health England held an investigation into the problems, with a subsequent report from the authority identifying that the likely cause was contamination of ready-to-eat products with raw meat at the site.

Irwin Mitchell’s Public Health team represents several people affected by the outbreak, including one Teesside woman who suffered kidney failure as a result of the problems. Although she has recovered, her family were told while she was in intensive care that she only had a 50/50 chance of survival.

Now, after the legal experts secured an admission of liability in relation to the incident, they have revealed their determination to ensure that those affected get access to the justice they deserve.

Amandeep Dhillon, Partner and head of the Public Health team at Irwin Mitchell, who represents the victims, said:

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“This devastating illness outbreak had a significant impact on a number of people in the local area, with some continuing to suffer long-term health problems as a result of it almost three years on.

“Food businesses have clear guidelines and regulations to follow in terms of food safety and a case of this nature demonstrates why it is absolutely vital that such policies are adhered to as closely as possible, but despite this we continue to represent hundreds of people affected by illness having consumed sub-standard food.

“Many victims of food poisoning are often unaware of potential avenues for legal redress after falling ill following consumption of contaminated food, but cases such as this demonstrate how we can help those who suffer serious illness.

“While nothing will change what our clients have faced, this admission now paves the way for us to agree a settlement and we are working quickly to bring matters to a swift conclusion.” Amandeep Dhillon - Partner

Among those represented by Irwin Mitchell is Pamela Williams, 72, from Billingham, who became unwell in the middle of July 2015 after eating products from the butchers. Following her diagnosis of E.coli, her kidneys started to fail and she needed urgent dialysis and blood transfusions.

Looking back, she said: “It is incredible to think about how everything happened, particularly with my family being told that there was a major chance I may not survive. I feel incredibly lucky to be here but still I feel I deserve justice regarding everything I have been through.

“This latest news is very welcome but this case is about more than any settlement – it is about ensuring no one else faces what I and others have been through.

“The admission is an important moment and I am hopeful that this it is a step towards ensuring that me and the many others affected will get the justice we all deserve.”

The Public Health team at Irwin Mitchell have represented thousands of people who have suffered illness in the UK, including the Toby Carvery outbreak in Exeter in 2015 where they acted for over 290 victims of norovirus, and they have successfully recovered hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation for large groups of people who have suffered gastric illness.

The firm’s Public Health team has represented victims of illness following outbreaks at the Newcastle Spice Festival and the Real China Restaurant in Southampton. The team work to promote food, health and safety and work alongside NGOs such as the Royal Society for Public Health.

A number of renowned experts have worked with the firm’s Public Health team, such as Professor Pennington.

Professor Pennington, a leading microbiologist, said: “E-coli 0157 is a serious infection, which can have a debilitating long term impact for anyone who contracts it. The problem of food contamination and poisoning is of vigorous debate, highlighted since the 1980s by numerous outbreaks and scares involving salmonella in eggs, listeria in cheese and E. Coli 0157 in cooked meats. These all raise complex problems regarding food safety monitoring and the identification and withdrawal of suspect food.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in illness cases.