E. coli HUS Lawsuits Should Look Long Term
When you hear news this summer about E. coli outbreaks, they are probably talking about E. coli O157:H7. This type of E. coli can cause disease by making a toxin called Shiga toxin, the agent responsible for life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Pritzker Olsen is a law firm that represents people injured by E. coli O157:H7-induced HUS resulting from adulterated food, contaminated raw milk, water, and petting zoos.
One of the most urgent questions asked by parents and survivors concerns the long-term prognosis: What’s going to happen in the future based on medical opinion?
If my child or loved one survives this devastating illness, will they have kidney problems, anemia, hypertension or other serious medical issues at some point in their lives?
The medical literature is the first place to look. A number of medical journal articles have addressed the long-term prognosis associated with HUS.
According to a leading review article in 2003, approximately 25% of HUS survivors demonstrate long-term kidney problems following and as a result of HUS. Those problems may take years to develop. Another article from 2005 states that about 30% to 50% of children who survive the acute phase of HUS are later found to have signs of kidney damage and/or hypertension.
There is no single test or evaluation to determine whether an HUS survivor will develop future problems. Some of the factors that may predict future problems include:
- The severity of the initial illness
- Whether there were central nervous symptoms (reduced consciousness, coma, stroke or seizures)
- Length of time during which urine output was absent or significantly decreased
- Length of time during which dialysis was required (especially if over four weeks)
- Length of time during which hospitalization was required
- Whether pancreatic damage (hyperglycemia) was observed during the acute phase of HUS
- Continued presence of proteinuria caused by greater-than-normal amounts of protein in the urine
- Ongoing elevated blood pressure (hypertension)
- Abnormal kidney ultrasound
- Impaired kidney function expressed as impaired GFR still present one year after acute HUS.
One of our most important tasks in representing people with HUS is to determine whether an HUS survivor has made a full recovery or is going to experience life-long and potentially very serious problems with their kidneys or blood pressure. Correct medical follow-up and treatment are key to this assessment.
Pritzker Olsen attorneys are highly experienced in representing HUS survivors. We represent HUS survivors throughout the United States and are involved in virtually every E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. We have collected some of the largest E. coli O157:H7 and HUS recoveries for our clients. Call today for a free consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our online consultation form.
Tags: E. coli HUS, E. coli Lawyer, HUS Litigation
