Frugals is being sued in four separate lawsuits. A listeria outbreak in Tacoma, Washington was linked to the restaurant’s milkshake machines. They have stopped selling milkshakes since August 8th.

What is listeria?

Listeria is a bacteria that acts as a parasite in mammals. Raw, unpasteurized milk and cheeses often contains the disease. It can be fatal for people who are pregnant, have weakened immune systems, or people over sixty-five.

Symptoms include fever, tiredness, and muscle aches primarily in your neck or arms. However, it can take three days to three weeks to show symptoms.

Listeria found in Frugals milkshake machines

Frugals is a drive-thru that sells burgers, fries, and milkshakes. They opened their first location in Port Angeles, Washington in 1988. In 1990, a second drive-thru was opened in Tacoma.

The Tacoma location is where health inspectors found listeria in the milkshake machines. Professionals linked six listeria cases to Frugals. Three of which were terminal.

Lawsuits against the drive-thru

The first lawsuit is suing the franchise for the death of Charles Roberson. Roberson ate at Frugals between March and April. He developed complications due to listeria in May. He died later that month from the bacteria.

The second official lawsuit is for medical expenses and emotional distress. A Tacoma resident claims he drank a milkshake on June 6th and was hospitalized June 12th. He says he could not walk and had a sore neck.

William Marler is the attorney representing some of the lawsuits. He says he has two clients who will be suing.

If Frugals had cleaned that machine properly, we wouldn’t be talking about it. People need to be held accountable for what they do to people.

William Marler, attorney

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