Tiger Brands suffered a massive financial loss after it was discovered that one of its manufacturing plants was the source of the devastating Listeriosis outbreak between 2017 and 2018, which claimed the lives of nearly 200 people. Now, the company looks to lose even more as it stands to face a class action.
The class action was launched by Richard Spoor Inc. Attorneys and LHL Attorneys and was granted by the Johannesburg High Court in December 2018. Speaking to CapeTalk, lead attorney with Richard Spoor Attorneys, Thamsanqa Malusi, said that the firm was approached by people who had lost loved ones to listeriosis or had contracted the disease themselves from Tiger Brands products.
“Effectively this case is simply about getting Tiger Brands to pay the victims that have suffered as a result of contracting listeriosis,” Malusi said. “A lot of victims have suffered longterm illnesses as a result of contracting the disease, so we want Tiger Brands to take responsibility for that and compensate those people adequately.”
According to Malusi, Tiger Brands has not offered a settlement and will be defending itself against being liable for the deadly outbreak.
The court has ordered all those who were affected by the outbreak to be contacted. As a result, Richard Spoor Attorneys has made contact with the affected persons from a list that was provided to them by the Department of Health. The firm has also begun a media campaign for the victims.
Anyone who does not want to be a part of the case can opt out by contacting the firm. If this is not done, it will be assumed they will form part of the class action.
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