Chain Restaurant Food Safety Systems Expert for Litigation Support
Food Safety in Fast Food and Chain Restaurants
Jack in the Box: E. coli O157:H7 Food-Borne Illness Case
Ms. Beck served as an expert witness to the law firm representing the plaintiffs in a San Diego County lawsuit filed against over ten ground beef suppliers to the Jack in the Box chain restaurant. In this food-borne illness case, hamburger patties produced by Von Companies of California and sold by Jack in the Box were determined to be the cause of an extremely dangerous outbreak of E. coli O157:H7.
Patrons of the Jack in the Box chain restaurant who ate the contaminated hamburgers became ill with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or bloody diarrhea in layman’s terms. Many were hospitalized and several died from the E. coli O157:H7 contamination.
In her capacity as an expert witness in the Jack in the Box E. coli case, Ms. Beck provided the following litigation support services over a two-year period:
Ms. Beck’s work as an expert witness contributed to a successful outcome of individual and class-action settlements totaling more than $50 million. At the time this was the largest payment on record involving food-borne illness.
Burger King: Cold Beverage Food Preparation Procedures
The build up of bacteria in an iced tea container was the subject of a legal dispute in this case brought by a consumer who charged that they became ill after drinking iced tea purchased from a Burger King fast food restaurant. The consumer sued both the Burger King franchisee and Burger King Corporation.
Ms. Beck was retained by the attorney for the Burger King franchisee, and her work included the following:
The case was ultimately settled, based in part on the strength of Ms. Beck’s expert report.
Burger King: Hot Beverage Food Preparation Procedures
Ms. Beck served as an expert witness in several cases similar to the now famous McDonald’s hot coffee dispute.
In these court cases brought against Burger King, consumers brought suit after being burned on their hands or legs while handling hot coffee purchased at a Burger King drive-through window. Ms. Beck was retained by the attorneys representing Burger King Corporation.
The primary dispute in these cases revolved around the food science of hot coffee preparation, storage, and consumer delivery. Ms. Beck addressed the following matters in her capacity as an expert on food preparation standards:
Ms. Beck prepared an expert report for the case, which contributed to case dismissals and settlements.
Fast Food Chain Restaurant Food Preparation Expert for Litigation Support
Juelene Beck is available to discuss litigation matters involving questions of food preparation and standard industry operations in chain restaurants.
She can address topics related to:
Contact Juelene Beck by email or by calling 786-457-3363 to learn more about litigation support and consulting services relating to chain restaurant operations, food safety, and food-borne illness.