Caterer RUINED my Cousin's wedding.. what can she do?

Oh no...that is awful!! Not sure what you could do about that.

She called the catering company and they refuse to refund her money or take any responsibility since no one reported being ill the night of the reception. they say unless she can provide documentation to them they will not even reserach to see if there is a matter to be disputed. they caused 50 people to be sick.. some violently... her wedding would have been perfect and memorable, well it is certainly memorable, but not the way anyone would want it. any way to help her resolve this?

If it was me, and they already said they will do nothing...I would call the news stations! I wonder how their tune would change then when it's all made public!! They should at least refund the cost of the chicken meals, and compensate you further as well. But that's where I would start!

I think that you/ they are SUPPOSED to report all that to either the CDC or another health organization as well. I would look into that.

I would contact them again, say, we can either resolve this with or WITHOUT press and health inspectors.

Haha yes! agree with analy! call a local news station, and if they agree to do something, get a whole bunch of people that were there to say how they got sick! only as a last resort though if they really refuse to do anything. its not anyone elses fault that the chicken was bad! they should do something!

@analy.. THAT'S WHAT I TOLD HER TO DO!.. well that and the BBB. she doesn't think that it would work but i keep telling her those consumer segments matter. but what about legally.. if they don't budge?

Notify the health department. I looked it up lol. THEY were supposed to, by law.

I agree with FMS - bring in the County Health officials. It sounds like perhaps there was mis-handling of food if that many people were ill. It might also help if the couple could produce the names of guests who fell ill, along with a timeline of when they felt ill. I would document what was on the menu, who got sick, and send it to the caterer - with a copy noted of being sent to the County Health officials!

All foodborne outbreaks are REQUIRED to be reported as analy said. I'd call DHEC or you health department and tell them all about it and I'd also post it on any social network site like facebook and myspace. I'd make D--- sure they knew that I would be telling everyone all about their policy and their food.

Unfortunately, without any type of documentation-- I don't really think there is a legal case bc it's really only what they say vs. what the caterer says. I would continue to contact them and threaten them with health inspectors. Do everything in writing so you can keep a log of all communication.

Oh nice work girls!!!

I don't think there's enough for a criminal case, like jlam said, but this could definitely go to small claims court. You have 50 witnesses who all ate the chicken and all got sick. They're not going to get the full amount, but if they're reasonable and go after the portion of the bill the chicken would cover, I bet they could get that money back.

I would just like to make a comment that I learned in my food prep course years a ago. The instuctor said that it ALWAYS a good idea to leave some of your food and take some home so you have proof and food available for testing in the event you get very sick from impoerly handled and prepared food.

Get written statements from all 50 who got sick and report it to the local health department.

I suppose there is no chance that she has any left over chicken?

LL beat me to it, the written statements from the people who were sick is the documentation.

Thanks ladies.. i'll tell her to do that. i'm in dc and the wedding was up in rochester, ny so she'll have to look up the numbers/contacts for her local health dept. it really helps to know that the company is supposed to report it and they haven't. i'll forward this info to her and be sure to tell her to call everyone who selected the chicken and let them know she may need them to witness for her. i guess that pre-selection idea is a good thing because she should be able to easily call everyone back based on what they had chosen on the RSVP card. as for the timeline, i know for a fact that my brother got sick about 4 to 5 hours after dinner, cause we were leaving and he spewed in my car (yes, i made him clean it up. given her guy was sick on wed night, it may be safe to say everyone else had the same experience. thanks so much, i'll tell her

I live an hour away from Rochester, who was the caterer? That is terrible that that happened and they won't do anything. Give me their name, I'll pass along the word!! LOL

Oh, man - that is horrible! But, totally agree with PP.