Two Lawsuits Filed Against Lexington Businesses for Food Poisoning

Ramsey Enterprises and Missy's Pie Shop accused of negligence after customers contract salmonella

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:26pm

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Two separate lawsuits have been filed against Ramsey Enterprises and Missy's Pie Shop in Lexington, Kentucky, alleging that the companies' negligence led to customers contracting severe food poisoning from pies sold at a Ramsey's location. The plaintiffs, Donna Soper and Kathy Sears, are suing the businesses for negligence, breach of implied warranty, strict product liability, and punitive damages after being hospitalized with salmonella and other health issues.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of food safety regulations and the potential legal consequences businesses can face if they fail to uphold proper food handling and preparation standards. The lawsuits also raise concerns about the supply chain and distribution processes that led to the use of potentially contaminated eggs in the pie-making process.

The details

According to the lawsuits, Donna Soper and Kathy Sears both dined at a Ramsey's location in Lexington in June 2025 and became severely ill with salmonella and other health issues several days later. The complaints allege that the businesses received rotten eggs from a distributor that were then used in the pie-making process, and that the delivery trucks transporting the eggs were not refrigerated. Both plaintiffs are seeking compensation for their medical expenses, physical and emotional distress, and lost wages.

  • On June 19, 2025, Donna Soper dined at a Ramsey's location in Lexington.
  • On June 20, 2025, Kathy Sears dined at the same Ramsey's location in Lexington.
  • On June 25, 2025, Kathy Sears was hospitalized after becoming severely ill.
  • On November 19, 2025, Donna Soper filed a lawsuit against Ramsey Enterprises and Missy's Pie Shop.
  • On March 10, 2026, Kathy Sears filed a lawsuit against Ramsey Enterprises and Missy's Pie Shop.

The players

Donna Soper

A resident of Nicholasville, Kentucky who filed a lawsuit against Ramsey Enterprises and Missy's Pie Shop after becoming severely ill with salmonella and a urinary tract infection after dining at a Ramsey's location in Lexington.

Kathy Sears

A resident of London, Kentucky who filed a lawsuit against Ramsey Enterprises and Missy's Pie Shop after becoming severely ill with sepsis and salmonella after dining at the same Ramsey's location in Lexington.

Ramsey Enterprises

A business that operates several restaurant locations in Lexington, Kentucky, including the one where the alleged food poisoning incidents occurred.

Missy's Pie Shop

A pie-making business that supplied pies to the Ramsey's location where the alleged food poisoning incidents occurred.

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What they’re saying

“Plaintiff was exposed to salmonella and has experienced various health-related issues, which have resulted in past and ongoing medical expenses, severe past and ongoing physical pain and suffering, past and ongoing extreme emotional distress associated with the fear of future complications, and lost wages.”

— Donna Soper, Plaintiff

“Plaintiff was exposed to salmonella and has experienced various health-related issues, which have resulted in past and ongoing medical expenses, severe past and ongoing physical pain and suffering, past and ongoing extreme emotional distress associated with the fear of future complications.”

— Kathy Sears, Plaintiff

What’s next

The courts will determine if Ramsey Enterprises and Missy's Pie Shop are liable for the plaintiffs' illnesses and the damages they are seeking.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of strict food safety protocols and the potential legal consequences businesses can face if they fail to uphold proper food handling and preparation standards. It also raises concerns about supply chain issues that can lead to the use of contaminated ingredients.