News Summary
A San Diego man has filed a lawsuit against Miguel’s Cocina after suffering from severe illness linked to an E. coli outbreak traced back to the restaurant. The complaint details allegations of negligence, unsanitary conditions, and contamination from a dangerous strain of E. coli. The outbreak has resulted in multiple hospitalizations and at least one death. Miguel’s Cocina, which temporarily closed after the incident, has faced severe scrutiny regarding food safety practices. Health officials continue their investigation as further lawsuits emerge from affected patrons.
San Diego – A San Diego man has initiated legal action against Miguel’s Cocina and its parent company, The Brigantine, Inc., following a severe E. coli outbreak linked to the restaurant. The lawsuit was filed on October 10 in the San Diego Superior Court by Jeremy Byrd, who alleges that he and his stepbrother fell violently ill after dining at the restaurant located in 4S Ranch in October 2023.
Byrd’s lawsuit brings forth accusations of negligence, strict product liability, and breach of implied warranty. He claims that they were poisoned by food contaminated with feces and a dangerous strain of E. coli bacteria known as Shiga-Toxin-Producing E. coli. The lawsuit outlines several alarming allegations regarding unsanitary conditions at Miguel’s Cocina, including infestations of flies and vermin in areas where food was prepared. Additionally, it is claimed that poison was improperly used in areas where food is handled.
Attorneys representing Byrd state that the restaurant served toxic food, resulting in serious and potentially life-threatening illness. The E. coli outbreak has seen dozens of confirmed cases, including one death and multiple hospitalizations. Hospital records indicate that at least 35 individuals became sick as a result of the outbreak, and 10 required hospitalization due to their symptoms. Furthermore, it has been reported that restaurant staff, including at least one food handler, tested positive for the same strain of E. coli, adding to the concerns regarding the restaurant’s food safety practices.
After the outbreak, Miguel’s Cocina temporarily closed its doors but reopened on a “soft” basis on October 28 following a thorough disinfection process and staff retraining. However, the permanent closure of the restaurant occurred this year, heightening concerns from local patrons regarding food safety in the aftermath of the outbreak. Health officials are currently investigating specific food items linked to the E. coli infection at the establishment.
The associated symptoms from an E. coli infection can manifest within three to four days after exposure, with some patients potentially experiencing severe complications. To date, additional legal actions have emerged in connection with the outbreak. The first of these lawsuits was filed on October 26 by a woman suffering from severe symptoms after dining at Miguel’s on October 12. A second lawsuit followed on October 27 from another patron who also reported illness after consuming menu items at the restaurant.
Those affected by the outbreak, including the plaintiffs in the lawsuits, have expressed significant concerns regarding trust in local restaurants and their food safety practices in the wake of this incident. The parent company, Brigantine Restaurants, has stated that there have been no established links between the outbreak at Miguel’s Cocina and its other locations in San Diego County.
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8
- Google Search: E. coli outbreak Miguel’s Cocina
- USA Today
- Encyclopedia Britannica: E. coli
- Fox 5 San Diego
- County News Center
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
