E. coli outbreak victim sues restaurant, processing facility

One of the 14 people sickened by a deadly E. coli outbreak that originated in Flathead County is suing businesses connected to the contamination.

Washington-based attorney Bill Marler and Kalispell’s Bliven Law Firm are representing Alexis Paul, a Missoula County resident who was in the area visiting Glacier National Park. Paul ate a Wagyu burger from Gunsight Saloon on July 1 that contained E. coli, which made her sick, according to the complaint filed in Flathead County District Court on July 30.  

The lawsuit is directed at Gunsight Saloon and its associated corporation, Yikes Inc., as well as Lower Valley Processing, where the ground beef was processed. So far, the source of the E. coli outbreak has not been identified. Montana Department of Livestock officials said on July 30 that meat containing E. coli from Lower Valley Processing was sent to several local restaurants, where the 14 people affected by the outbreak consumed the beef.