Field Fisher Waterhouse partner Jill Greenfield provides her comments on the findings of the Griffin Inquiry into the E.Coli 0157 outbreak at Godstone farm in August 2009 announced by the Health Protection Agency.
London (PRWEB) June 16, 2010 -- The Health Protection Agency today announced the findings of the Griffin Inquiry into the E.Coli 0157 outbreak at Godstone farm in August 2009.
Jill Greenfield, personal injury partner at law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse is currently co-ordinating a group action on behalf of a significant number of the children who suffered serious consequences due to their exposure to the E.Coli 0157 whilst visiting Godstone farm.
This is the largest outbreak of people affected by E Coli 0157 linked to an open farm in the UK. There were 93 people affected and of those 76 were children aged under 10. Of the 93, 27 were admitted to hospital and 17 developed serious kidney problems.
The Griffin Inquiry highlights numerous failings at many levels both in the way that Godstone Farm managed its appreciation of the risks to its visitors, but also in relation to the various authorities that were involved in the regulation and subsequent recommended closure of this farm. The report highlights that, at its peak, 1 in 100 visiting Godstone Farm were exposed to E.Coli 0157.
Commenting on the report Jill Greenfield said:
"It is a relief to see that the Griffin Inquiry recognises the very serious nature of E.coli 0157 and differentiates that strain of the bacteria from the normal e-coli that many of us carry. Too many people seem to think that hand washing is the answer; this report makes clear that it is not and a great deal more needs to be done to make Open Farms safe.
"From the evidence in the report it does appear that at every possible level there were fundamental failings in the handling of the outbreak. Such failings are simply unacceptable.
"Many of the children that I am representing suffered significant pain and distress and continued to require medical treatment. We will not know for many years whether or not they will require further dialysis and/or kidney transplants. Their parents have also gone through a terrible experience and it is at least some comfort to them to see that this inquiry is taking matters so seriously. It is particularly important that the report gives clear guidance to the open farming industry in relation to the safety of children and E.Coli 0157."
Jill Greenfield highlights the following key points from the report:
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Specific reference in the report is made to:
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For further information or if you believe you have an E Coli 0157 legal claim please contact Jill Greenfield on 020 7861 4557 or email jill(dot)greenfield(at)ffw(dot)com
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[Via Legal / Law]
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