E. coli Food Poisoning: Legal Recourse
E. coli is a group of bacteria that live in soil, water and the intestines of many birds, animals and humans. While many types of E. coli are harmless, a form of the bacteria called shiga-toxin producing E. coli can cause severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. Every year, about 70,000 people in the United States contract shiga-toxin producing E. coli and become sick as a result. Most often, the source of the infection is contaminated food, such as ground beef, poultry, raw milk, juice and vegetables. If it can be proven that the manufacturers and/or distributors of the contaminated products acted negligently in failing to provide consumers with reasonably safe products, they might be held financially liable for any resulting damages incurred by victims.
E. coli Outbreaks
E. coli bacteria are highly contagious because they can be transmitted from person to person, through water and through contaminated food. Food is the most common source of large-scale E. coli outbreaks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 85 percent of all E. coli infections are food-borne. Two of the largest E. coli outbreaks occurred in 2006 when contaminated Natural Foods Selection spinach caused the death of three people and sickened 199 more, and E. coli-tainted Taco Bell meals sickened 71 individuals, eight of whom developed serious complications. In 2008, a large multi-state E. coli outbreak was linked to contaminated ground beef sold at Kroger's grocery stores in Ohio, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Utah and New York.
E. coli Symptoms and Treatment
Most people develop symptoms of E. coli food poisoning within two to five days of ingesting the bacteria. Some of the most common signs of E. coli infection are watery diarrhea, mild fever, nausea and vomiting. Most E. coli victims recover within a week without any specific treatment. In some cases, however, E. coli food poisoning can cause serious complications, such as severe dehydration and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The latter condition occurs in 10-15 percent of all E. coli victims and can cause acute kidney failure and death.
E. coli treatment usually consists of supportive therapy and management of complications. If the patient is severely dehydrated, medical professionals might administer intravenous rehydration therapy to replace the lost minerals and electrolytes. Individuals suffering from HUS sometimes require dialysis treatments to ensure proper kidney function.
E. coli Lawsuits
In cases whereby a group of victims' E. coli infections were caused by a negligent food manufacturer, distributor and/or server, the affected individuals are often entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, as well as their physical and psychological distress. In most cases, victims have to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit to compel the responsible parties to provide compensation.
Among the most recent E. coli lawsuits are those filed on behalf of victims of the Kroger's E. coli outbreak, as well as suits filed by individuals who became sick after drinking Organic Pastures raw milk. Similar lawsuits in the past have been settled for sizeable remuneration, such as the $15 million paid by Jack in the Box to a woman who became sick after eating at one of its restaurants and the $11 million paid by the BJ Wholesale Club to the parents of a 6-year-old girl who died after eating E. coli-contaminated beef sold at the company's grocery stores.
E. Coli Food Poisoning Legal Help
If you suspect that your E. coli symptoms or the diarrheal illness of your loved one was caused by a contaminated food product, contact the law offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz at (888) 255-2956 to find out if you might be entitled to compensation. The attorneys of AWKO Law will help you understand your legal rights and file a personal injury lawsuit if appropriate. In addition, they can help you resolve legal issues arising from salmonella, listeria, ciguatera and botulism food poisoning cases.
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Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz
803 North Palafox St.
Pensacola, Florida 32501
55 Baybridge Dr.
Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
