Victim of Bravo Norovirus Outbreak Files Suit

Bravo! Italian Cucina was sued Monday by a woman who suffered a norovirus infection after eating at the restaurant on May 7. The plaintiff is represented by Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm nationally recognized for the successful representation of foodborne illness. At least 360 people became ill with symptoms of norovirus after eating at the restaurant.

Lansing, Mich. (PRWEB) May 16, 2006 -– A Seattle law firm filed a lawsuit today against Bravo! Development, Inc., the owner of the Bravo! Cucina Italiana restaurant that was the source of a large norovirus outbreak in early to mid May. The lawsuit was filed in Ingham County Circuit Court (Case no. 06-609-NZ) on behalf of Pattie McNiel, an academic specialist at the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center at Michigan State University, who became ill with norovirus after eating at the restaurant on May 7, 2006.

Ms. McNiel is represented by Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm recognized as the nation’s leading law firm in foodborne illness litigation, and Michael Heilmann, a respected Southfield, Michigan, attorney. “Restaurants have a responsibility to their customers to serve them food that is safe to eat,” said William Marler, managing partner of Marler Clark. “It is clear that Bravo management and employees did not take the appropriate measures to ensure that the food being served at the restaurant was safe.”

Ingham County health officials encourage anybody who experienced symptoms of norovirus after eating at Bravo between May 3rd and May 11th to report his or her illness to the Health Department. On Monday, the Health Department reported that at least 360 individuals had become ill as part of the outbreak.

“We have been contacted by several other people who became ill as part of this outbreak,” Marler continued. “And we plan to pursue claims on behalf of everyone who contacts our firm.”

About Marler Clark:

The attorneys at Marler Clark (http://www.marlerclark.com) have been representing victims of foodborne illness outbreaks since 1993, when William Marler represented Brianne Kiner in her $15.6 million E. coli settlement with Jack in the Box. The firm has represented thousands of victims of E. coli, Salmonella, norovirus (see http://www.about-norwalk.com), hepatitis A, and other foodborne illness outbreaks. The attorneys frequently speak on issues regarding food safety and foodborne illness litigation.

For more information on the lawsuit, please contact Suzanne Schreck at (206) 346-1879.

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