A significant legal battle has erupted in California, where two brothers are taking a stand against companies they allege are responsible for a severe Salmonella outbreak. The complaint, filed by Nicolas and Nathan Yousif on December 5, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, targets Raw Farm, LLC and Good Food Holdings, LLC. The Yousif brothers claim that these companies distributed contaminated raw milk that led to their serious illnesses.
The plaintiffs' case centers around an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to raw milk products from Raw Farm, LLC. According to the complaint, the outbreak began in October 2023 and resulted in at least 171 reported cases across five states. In California alone, numerous counties reported infections. The Yousif brothers allege that they consumed Raw Farm's raw milk purchased from New Leaf Market on September 24, 2023. Shortly after consumption, both brothers fell ill with symptoms consistent with Salmonella infection.
Nathan Yousif experienced severe symptoms beginning October 8th, including high fever and bloody diarrhea. Despite multiple medical visits and treatments with antibiotics like azithromycin, his condition was critical enough to require hospitalization. His brother Nicolas suffered similarly after consuming the same batch of raw milk; he developed a blood infection identified as Salmonella on October 20th. His ordeal included hospital admissions and extensive treatment involving IV antibiotics.
The lawsuit accuses Raw Farm and Good Food Holdings of several legal violations: strict product liability for distributing defective products unfit for consumption due to contamination with Salmonella; breach of implied warranty by selling food not safe for human consumption; negligence in failing to ensure their products were free from harmful pathogens; and negligence per se for violating federal and state food safety regulations.
In seeking justice through this lawsuit, the Yousifs demand compensatory damages deemed fair by the court for each count listed in their complaint—strict liability, breach of warranty, negligence—and request coverage for incurred costs related to their medical treatments and legal proceedings. They also seek further relief as deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Trevor Quirk from Quirk Law Firm LLP based in Ventura, California, and William D. Marler from Marler Clark Inc., PS located in Bainbridge Island, Washington (pro hac vice pending). The case is being reviewed under Case No.: 24CV453384 by Judge A. Hernandez at the Superior Court of California in Santa Clara County.