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Woman Sues Over Deadly 06 Spinach Outbreak

KSWB News

September 3, 2009

SALINAS, Calif. -- A Wisconsin woman who became ill during a deadly 2006 E. coli outbreak from spinach grown on a farm in San Benito County has filed a lawsuit against Dole, Natural Selection Foods, Mission Organics and Pic-n-Save.

Jane Majeska, 85, fell ill when she ate Dole E. coli tainted spinach and her fight to stay alive cost almost $500,000, her lawyer said in a news release on Thursday.

"This amazing woman fought through serious medical traumas and has continued to fight to win back her health," William Marler said. "No one should have to go through that, but if they do, they certainly shouldn't have to sue to be compensated for it. But sometimes, that's what it takes."

Majeska ate the Dole spinach in late August 2006 and within days was experiencing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, Marler said. She was then admitted to the hospital as her kidneys failed and she was diagnosed with HUS.

Majeska spent months in the hospital and had to undergo several procedures.

The outbreak started in September 2006 after E. coli was found in fresh spinach grown at a 50-acres farm in San Benito County.

Both Natural Selection Foods and River Ranch Fresh Foods voluntarily recalled spinach and products containing spinach,

A total of three deaths and 276 illnesses were attributed to the E. coli tainted spinach.

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