Four-Month Extension Given for Salmonella Claims

June 16, 2009

A judge in Virginia recently ruled that the deadline for any personal injury claims against the peanut processor at the center of the nation’s salmonella outbreak has been extended by four months. Thus far, 252 claims totaling $207 million have been filed against Peanut Corp.

The outbreak sickened over 700 people and was linked to at least nine deaths, nationwide. Because of these numbers, many are shocked that more claims have not been filed. The judge wanted all of those who were affected by the outbreak to have their chance at getting some money to pay for medical expenses or lost wages from work.

The Peanut Corp. had about $12 million in insurance to pay for personal injury claims. However, now the company is struggling to find the assets to pay for the several hundred million that it will need to shell out for the victims of the outbreak.