Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Boar’s Head Following Listeria Outbreak.
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Boar’s Head in the wake of a devastating listeria outbreak, with the family of Otis Adams Jr. alleging that he contracted the illness from the company’s deli meats. As of September 25, a total of 59 individuals across 19 states have fallen ill due to the outbreak associated with Boar’s Head products, leading to hospitalizations for all affected and a tragic loss of 10 lives.
This lawsuit marks the first wrongful death claim against Boar’s Head that suggests the link extends beyond their ready-to-eat liverwurst products, according to the law firm Morgan & Morgan, which is representing the Adams family. The lawsuit highlights the case of 79-year-old Otis Adams, a resident of the Tampa area, who passed away in early May after consuming Boar’s Head ham.
According to the legal filing, his wife, Judith, 71, purchased Boar’s Head Tavern Ham and Boar’s Head Yellow American Cheese from a Publix grocery store in Brooksville, Florida, on two separate occasions in April 2024. Shortly after, Otis began experiencing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and diarrhea, initially dismissing them as a common illness.
However, as his condition worsened, he sought medical attention at HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital on May 2, where he was diagnosed with listeriosis—a severe infection caused by listeria. The lawsuit claims that Otis’s health continued to decline, leading to complications including meningitis and sepsis. Tragically, he succumbed to the illness on May 5, leaving behind a grieving family that includes his wife, sister, three sons, seven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
Attorney Yegelwel, representing the family, described the bond between Otis and Judith as “inseparable,” emphasizing their shared love for church and community. “This is a heartbreaking and significant story,” Yegelwel stated. “This was an entirely preventable tragedy.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated that the actual number of illnesses linked to the outbreak is likely higher than reported, as many individuals recover without seeking medical care or undergoing listeria testing. The CDC’s investigation points to Boar’s Head brand meats sliced at delis, as well as ready-to-eat liverwurst, as being contaminated at a facility in Jarratt, Virginia.
In response to the outbreak, Boar’s Head has issued a public apology and announced a recall of approximately 7 million pounds of deli meats and poultry products associated with the outbreak. This includes both meats meant for slicing at delis and pre-packaged products manufactured between May 10 and July 29, as detailed in a notice from the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the Department of Agriculture.
Related: McDonald’s Faces Lawsuit Amid E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Quarter Pounders