E. coli Food Poisoning: Legal Help
E. coli O157: H7 is a bacterium responsible for sickening millions of people worldwide. In the United States, about 70,000 people develop severe diarrheal illness every year as a result of E. coli infection. While most E. coli victims recover within 10 days, the bacterium kills about 60 Americans annually. In most cases, the source of the E. coli infection is food-borne ─ victims ingest the dangerous bacteria as they consume contaminated foods. Some of the largest recent food-borne E. coli outbreaks include the 2006 Natural Foods Selection spinach E. coli epidemic that sickened 199 people, the 2006 Taco Bell outbreak that affected more than 70 individuals, and the 2008 Kroger's E. coli epidemic that sickened more than 40 people nationwide.
In cases whereby the E. coli food poisoning was caused by a negligent food manufacturer and/or distributor who supplied unsuspecting consumers with contaminated food products, the sickened consumers might be entitled to compensation. By filing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties, victims of E. coli food poisoning might be able to obtain compensation for their medical expenses, time off work, physical pain and emotional distress.
Kroger's E. coli Lawsuits
In 2008, the largest traditional grocery chain in the United States, Kroger Company, recalled 34 million pounds of beef products. The recall was issued after several customers reported developing E. coli food poisoning symptoms after eating beef purchased at Kroger stores. While the recall limited the spread of infection, more than 40 Kroger's customers developed severe diarrheal illness, more than a dozen had to be hospitalized and at least one victim suffered acute kidney failure. In order to obtain compensation for their financial, physical and psychological damages, several E. coli victims filed lawsuits against the Kroger Company.
Organic Pastures Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak
One of the products especially susceptible to E. coli contamination is raw milk. Healthy cows can carry E. coli in their intestines, and sometimes the bacteria makes its way into the milk supply. For example, in 2006 six children in California and Washington State became sick with E. coli food poisoning after drinking raw milk supplied by California's largest raw milk dairy, Organic Pastures. Two of the children suffered acute kidney failure and one also developed congestive heart failure, seizures and pancreatitis. The parents of the sickened children filed personal injury lawsuits against Organic Pastures to hold the company liable for their immense psychological and physical suffering, as well as the large medical expenses incurred due to the E. coli food poisoning.
Taco Bell E. coli Litigation
E. coli can live in a variety of environments, including water, soil and most fruits and vegetables. Improperly processed produce can become the source of large-scale E. coli outbreaks, such as the 2006 E. coli epidemic caused by contaminated lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants. The lettuce had become contaminated before being shipped to several Taco Bell locations, as a result of which outbreaks occurred at a number of Taco bell eateries in the Northeast United States. More than 70 people developed severe diarrheal illness, 53 victims had to be hospitalized, and eight developed potentially life-threatening complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome. Several of the victims filed personal injury lawsuits against Taco Bell alleging negligence and product liability. The suits were subsequently settled for an undisclosed figure.
E. coli Food Poisoning Legal Help
If you believe that you contracted E. coli after eating a contaminated food product, you might be entitled to compensation. Contact the law offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz at (888) 255-2956 to discuss your case and determine if filing a personal injury lawsuit might be beneficial. In addition to negotiating and litigating E. coli food poisoning cases, the attorneys of AWKO Law have considerable experience handling cases arising from salmonella, botulism, cholera and listeria outbreaks.
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Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz
803 North Palafox St.
Pensacola, Florida 32501
55 Baybridge Dr.
Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
