Toulouse lawyer Pierre Debuisson has secured record compensation for the victims of the Buitoni contaminated pizza scandal, thanks to the first French class action. Each victim will receive millions of euros.
Nestlé has been indicted in the Buitoni affair, a scandal that erupted two years ago. Two children tragically died after consuming a frozen pizza contaminated with bacteria, and dozens of others suffered severe illnesses.
Read also :
Toulouse Man of the Year 2023: Pierre Debuisson, the tenacious lawyer who forced the giant Nestlé to concede
Toulouse lawyer Pierre Debuisson represents the sixty victims and he declares that he has achieved a significant victory. “I have successfully implemented the first French class action, a new form of collective action.”
A hundred times more than a trial
Though the lawyer declines to disclose specific amounts, he has secured, as confirmed by a victim’s family, several million euros in compensation for many victims. This represents a hundred times more than they could have obtained through a traditional court case.
“Mr. Debuisson sued for 250 million for serious misconduct in the Nanterre judicial court,” shares the family. “He faced an army of lawyers alone. He also contacted the national and international press, including the Wall Street Journal. He even met with a member of the National Assembly to explore the possibility of a parliamentary inquiry.”
Mr. Debuisson has remained steadfast in his commitment. He confided in La Dépêche du Midi: “Two children, aged two and a half, have died. Around thirty have suffered from hemolytic uremic syndrome, which affects the kidneys, heart, lungs, and even the brain. They have fallen into comas, and some will face lifelong consequences! They live with this sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.”
“Their words will be heard at the trial”
Nestlé ultimately agreed to the settlement in this class action. “It allows victims to be recognized as such without going through a judge or legal proceedings. The success of this monumental work was based on the idea that unity is strength,” explains the lawyer. “My clients stood by me. There was a surge of solidarity.”
Indicted for involuntary manslaughter, involuntary injury, and aggravated deception, the agri-food group will have to face the consequences of this scandal in court. This agreement does not absolve Mr. Debuisson’s clients of any potential legal action.
“This indictment is a relief for the families who have waited two years. They have all joined as civil parties. They will be present, and their words will be heard,” he assures. The victim’s family is hoping for a strong criminal penalty.
For Mr. Debuisson, “the indictment serves as a warning to large agricultural and food companies.” The class action initiated by the Toulouse lawyer could pave the way for similar actions in France.
Toulouse lawyer Pierre Debuisson has obtained, thanks to the first French class action, record compensation for the victims of the Buitoni contaminated pizza scandal. They will each receive millions of euros.
Nestlé has just announced its indictment in the Buitoni affair. A scandal that broke out two years ago. Two children died after eating a frozen pizza contaminated with bacteria and dozens of others fell seriously ill.
Read also :
Toulouse Man of the Year 2023: Pierre Debuisson, the pugnacious lawyer who made the giant Nestlé bend
In this case, Toulouse lawyer Pierre Debuisson represents the sixty victims and he announces that he has already won a long-term battle. “I have succeeded in implementing the first French class action, a collective action of a new kind.”
A hundred times more than with a trial
Concretely, if the lawyer refuses to reveal any amounts, he has obtained, as a victim’s family confirms to us, several million euros in compensation for many victims, a hundred times more than what they could have won during a trial before a court.
“Mr. Debuisson sued for 250 million for serious misconduct before the Nanterre judicial court, relates this family. He was alone, facing an armada of lawyers. He also contacted the entire national and international press, including the Wall Street Journal. He was received by a member of the National Assembly to consider opening a parliamentary inquiry.”
The lawyer never lost sight of the reasons for his commitment. He confided in La Dépêche du Midi: “Two children aged 2 and a half have died. Around thirty have haemolytic uremic syndrome which affects the kidneys, heart, lungs and even the brain. They have fallen into a coma and some will have lifelong after-effects! They have this sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.”
“Their words will be heard at the trial”
Nestlé finally accepted the agreement related to this class action. “It allows victims to be recognized as such in a short period of time without going through a judge, outside of any legal proceedings. The success of this titanic work was based on the idea that unity is strength, analyzes the lawyer. My clients followed me. There was a surge of solidarity.”
Indicted for involuntary manslaughter, involuntary injury and aggravated deception, the agri-food group will have to answer for this scandal before a court. The agreement does not provide for any waiver by Mr. Debuisson’s clients.
“This indictment is a relief for the families who have waited two years. They have all joined as civil parties. They will be there and their words will be heard,” he assures. The victim’s family is expecting a strong criminal sanction.
For Mr. Debuisson, “the indictment is also a signal sent to large agri-food groups.”
The class action brought by the Toulouse lawyer could open the way to other actions of this type in France.