At Corradino & Papa, LLC, we have the profound honor of representing the family of a beloved Clifton, New Jersey resident — a devoted husband, father, and cherished member of the community — whose life was tragically cut short after consuming Boar’s Head liverwurst tainted with deadly listeria bacteria.
What started as an ordinary lunch — a longtime favorite, liverwurst on rye — turned into a devastating, preventable tragedy. This unimaginable loss fuels our firm’s determination to hold Boar’s Head accountable for its role in a massive and deeply troubling outbreak.
Boar’s Head Negligent Conditions Documented by USDA
The 2024 Boar’s Head listeria outbreak left a devastating toll across the country. Federal authorities confirmed 10 deaths and over 60 hospitalizations across 19 states, all tied to deli meats and liverwurst products from Boar’s Head’s facility in Jarratt, Virginia.
The USDA launched an investigation that revealed shocking lapses in food safety. As NPR reported, “USDA inspection reports show sanitation violations were routine and not isolated at the plant.” Inspectors found "dead bugs, dripping ceilings, mildew, and black mold near machines" that were supposed to be producing ready-to-eat meats
These were not isolated incidents. According to the USDA’s January 2025 public report, there were:
- Multiple findings of product residue from prior days left on equipment in the ready-to-eat areas — creating a perfect breeding ground for listeria.
- Dripping condensation onto exposed products.
- Cracks, holes, and broken flooring throughout the facility.
- A pallet jack, moving throughout the plant, that tested positive for the outbreak strain.
These insanitary conditions persisted despite repeated warnings from inspectors, highlighting systemic failures at Boar’s Head’s Jarratt plant.
Boar’s Head’s First Wrongful Death Settlement
In December 2024, Boar’s Head reached its first wrongful death settlement, paying compensation to the estate of a Virginia man who died after eating their contaminated deli meats.
While the settlement terms were kept confidential, it marked an important milestone: Boar’s Head compensated a grieving family for the loss of a loved one due to the listeria that had killed him, listeria that infected the meat he ate because of Boar’s Head’s lack of care.
For families like our client’s, still awaiting justice, this first settlement serves as a stark reminder that Boar’s Head has much more to answer for.
Corradino & Papa’s Ongoing Fight for Justice
At Corradino & Papa, we are leading a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of our Clifton client’s family — a family forever changed by Boar’s Head’s reckless disregard for safety.
Our client was a vibrant part of the Clifton community, a loving husband whose life was senselessly taken. We are seeking full accountability for his death — not just a settlement, but recognition of the systemic failures that allowed deadly listeria to infiltrate Boar’s Head’s food products.
We refuse to allow this case to be brushed aside. The lives lost demand more than quiet settlements; they demand public accountability and meaningful change.
Standing With Families. Demanding Accountability
No refund, no corporate press release, and no settlement check can undo the harm that Boar’s Head’s negligence did. But through fierce legal advocacy, we can ensure that justice is delivered.
Companies have a duty of care. When they fail and their failure harms trusting consumers, they need to be held accountable. That is what we do at Corradino & Papa. We obtain justice for our clients and hold companies accountable.