SMITHFIELD, Va. (WAVY) – A Smithfield man has filed a more than $48 million lawsuit against Boar’s Head, the third lawsuit filed locally against the Virginia based company.
The lawsuit comes after Boar’s Head indefinitely closed their Virginia plant tied to multiple Listeria deaths.
According to the lawsuit, Robert Reposa purchased Boar’s Head meat products from a Smithfield Kroger towards the end of July, just a few days after the FDA announced an investigation into a multi-state Listeria outbreak, later tied to the Boar’s Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia.
The lawsuit claims gross negligence, stating that Boar’s Head knew of the unsanitary practices and that they failed to maintain safe practices in preparing its products.
Reposa said on Aug. 8, he went to a Velocity Urgent Care, complaining of “severe stomach pain, vomiting, fever, chills and extreme diarrhea.”
On Aug. 13, after showing no signs of recovery, Reposa went to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with the same complaints, where he was then transferred to Sentara Heart Hospital on Aug. 16. There, it was determined Reposa not only was exposed to the bacteria, but that he did have Listeria.
Due to previous heart issues, Reposa’s exposure to Listeria was incredibly dangerous, resulting in his hospitalization of two weeks.
Reposa claims he continues to suffer, and that he will likely suffer permanent damage due to the Listeria exposure.
As a result of the medical bills and continued suffering from the exposure, the lawsuit is seeking $4,658,537.87 in compensatory damages and an additional $43,587,000 in punitive damages, as well as any additional future costs associated with the exposure.
The lawsuit can be read in full below: