Pilgrim’s Pride Persuades Court to Dismiss Employee Spouses’ MRSA Infection Suit

FORT WORTH, Texas — A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit by family members of Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. (NASDAQ: PPC) employees who alleged exposure to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, or “MRSA,” contracted by the employees at work.

U.S. District Judge John McBryde ruled July 12 that the claims brought against Pilgrim’s Pride by employee family members are subject to the same exclusivity provision of the applicable Worker’s Compensation Law that bars employee claims because family members' claims “aris[e] on account of the employees’ injuries.”

Rhonda Beshears and 14 co-plaintiffs brought suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of …