More salmonella victims consider suing

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - A lawyer representing the victims of recent salmonella outbreak in Rhode Island says he's representing at least 15 clients and expects that number to grow.

Drew Falkenstein, from the Seattle law firm Marler Clark, arrived in the state Tuesday morning and plans to meet individually with each of 10 families that has contacted the firm and are considering filing a lawsuit.

The clients, who Falkenstein said range in age from 3- to 80-years-old, claim they are among the 70 people who became sick after eating pastries from DeFusco's Bakery in Johnston. According to the Department of Health, two people connected to the outbreak have died and another 29 are in the hospital.

A suspected source of the salmonella outbreak is tainted zeppoles from DeFusco's. Health officials said the pastry shells were stored in egg crates which previously contained raw eggs. Those crates have since tested positive for salmonella. Some, but not all of the cases, have been directly connected to the bakery.

Marler Clark was the first firm to file a lawsuit against DeFusco's. Falkenstein said his clients are seeking monetary compensation for medical expenses, both incurred and anticipated; pain and suffering; and negligence. However, he said the firm has not heard from either the bakery's attorney or insurance company.

Marler Clark is the same firm that represented dozens of victims of the 2006 spinach E. coli outbreak that sickened hundreds nationally and killed 6.