Broome County Jail Inmate Files Class Action Over Salmonella Outbreak Sickening 320
Updated
Updated · Pressconnects · May 29
Broome County Jail Inmate Files Class Action Over Salmonella Outbreak Sickening 320
5 articles · Updated · Pressconnects · May 29
Salih Shabazz sued Broome County and Sheriff Fred Akshar on May 29, alleging jail food caused salmonella poisoning and seeking class-action status after 320 of 450 inmates fell ill.
The claim says inmates were served contaminated food between May 15 and May 26, blaming failures in purchasing, storing, cooking and delivering food safely.
Shabazz alleges severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches, and says some inmates may face permanent injury and significant medical costs.
Akshar declined to discuss the litigation but called attorney Ron Benjamin's filing frivolous, while the county health department continues tracing the outbreak's source.
Medical Director Lazarus Gehring said the jail outbreak may be the second-largest salmonella outbreak in New York state history.
Can a lawsuit force systemic changes after one of New York's worst salmonella outbreaks occurred inside a jail?
Will the jail's private food vendor be held accountable for the mass poisoning of 320 inmates?
If the jail's kitchen passed inspection, how did the salmonella outbreak that sickened 320 inmates still happen?