Old England Hotel
At least 54 people became ill after eating food contaminated by
salmonella at the Old England Hotel between 23 December 2003 and 7
January 2004 according to Department of Human Services
documents. These documents were supplied to Maurice Blackburn
by victims of the outbreak who instructed us to commence class
action proceedings.
The action
On 14 July 2004, Maurice Blackburn issued a class action against
the Old England Hotel in the Federal Court of Australia seeking
damages for all people who had eaten at the Hotel between 23
December 2003 and 7 January 2004 and became ill as a result.
The Statement of Claim alleged that the Old England Hotel
breached the Trade Practices Act by serving food which was
defective, unfit for the purpose and unmerchantable, and sought
compensation for persons who suffered injury as a result.
Settlement
In early 2006 the Federal Court approved a Settlement Agreement
which provided for the assessment of individual group member claims
and for the payment of damages.
As a result of the class action over 35 victims of salmonella
poisoning received compensation for their injuries.