E. coli Lawyer

Georgia Outbreak Leads to 3 Probable Cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:01:15 -0600

A recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Moultrie, Georgia has 9 confirmed cases with several others still undergoing testing. A local restaurant, The Barbecue Pit, has voluntarily closed its doors after Health Department workers found that all of the confirmed cases had recently eaten at the restaurant. The worrisome aspect of this outbreak is that, so far, 3 people have developed symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is the leading cause of acute kidney failure in children and can lead to numerous other complications such as central nervous system damage, hypertension, chronic kidney failure, and a host of other gastroenterological symptoms. The mortality rate of HUS is between 3-7% and up to 50% among the elderly. The ages of the victims in the Georgia outbreak have not been released. If you have recently eaten at The Barbecue Pit in Moultrie, Georgia, or have been diagnosed with symptoms of E. coli O157:H7, here are some symptoms of HUS to look for:

Non-bloody diarrhea
Abdominal Cramping
Nausea
Vomiting
Low or no fever

Symptoms usually begin to show 3-7 days after the bloody diarrhea associated with typical E. coli O157:H7 occurs. If you have symptoms of HUS after an E. coli O157:H7 infection, please visit a doctor immediately as it is a potentially life-threatening illness. If you plan on seeking damages for your illness, you should the nationally known and respected E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker. The law firm of Pritzker | Ruohonen has recovered millions for victims of E. coli outbreaks. Call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free) or submit our free case consultation form (top right corner).

Kroger Ground Beef E. coli Outbreak

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:04:47 -0600

The following information on the Ohio and Michigan E. coli outbreak linked to Kroger ground beef is provided by Pritzker | Ruohonen, one of the few law firms in the United States that practices extensively in the area of E. coli litigation. Our lawyers have gained a national reputation and have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Lawyers USA and other publications. In recognigion of their accomplishments, Pritzker | Ruohonen attorneys Fred Pritzker, Rich Ruohonen and Elliot Olsen have been named "Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics magazine. If you or your child has been diagnosed with E. coli, you may contact Pritzker | Ruohonen at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), email our lawyers, or submit the firm's online consultation form (top of right column) for review by a lawyer at the firm. June 25, 2008 - State departments of health and agriculture in Michigan and Ohio, CDC, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections. To date, 32 confirmed cases have been linked both epidemiologically and by molecular fingerprinting to this outbreak, 15 in Michigan and 17 in Ohio. Onset of illness in these patients occurred from 5/30/08 to 6/11/08. Fourteen ill persons have been hospitalized. One patient has developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). No deaths linked to the outbreak have been reported. Twenty (62%) of patients are female. Patients range in age from 4 to 78 years with a median age of 21 years. Kroger ground beef has been linked to the this E. coli outbreak. State health and agriculture departments have tested ground beef recovered from patient residences and purchased at Kroger® retail stores in Michigan and Ohio. Molecular fingerprinting testing conducted by the Ohio and Michigan Departments of Health and Agriculture Laboratories, in collaboration with PulseNet, the national molecular subtyping network for foodborne disease surveillance, on E. coli O157 isolates isolated from ground beef samples have confirmed the isolates to be the outbreak strain of E. coli O157. Analysis of the case-control study data indicates a significant association between illness among case patients and eating ground beef purchased at at one of several Kroger® Co. stores in Michigan and Ohio. CDC has provided these results to the USDA-FSIS and public health agencies in Michigan and Ohio. A recall has been announced for ground beef sold at Kroger® Co. Stores in Michigan and Ohio. The products subject to recall include all varieties and weights of ground beef products bearing a Kroger label sold between May 21 and June 8 at Michigan and Columbus and Toledo, Ohio Kroger retail establishments. These ground beef products also include a sell-by date between "05/21/08" and "06/08/08." The epidemiological and microbiological evidence of that Kroger ground beef is linked to the outbreak can be used in a Kroger E. coli lawsuit seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other damages. We have used both epidemiological and microbiological evidence to successfully prove “causation,” an element of an E. coli lawsuit that looks at whether the suspected food product was the actual cause of the victim’s E. coli infection and related complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is one of the leading causes of kidney failure (renal failure). We have recovered compensation for victims of E. coli outbreaks involving grocery stores. We have also recently recovered amounts for families of people who died from E. coli and HUS. Contact us regarding our experience with E. coli litigation, grocery store liability, a Kroger E. coli lawsuit and any other issue that you would want to discuss with an E. coli lawyer. Contact a Pritzker | Ruohonen lawyer:

Call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free);
Submit our free case consultation form (top of right column); or
Email our lawyers.

Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A. represents foodborne illness survivors in cases throughout the United States.

E. coli and Leftovers

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:43:59 -0600

We are often asked by people who have eaten a recalled product what they should do with leftovers. The investigation of the E. coli outbreak associated with American Foods Group, LLC ground beef products, highlights the importance of retaining recalled food products until one is certain no one has been sickened by them. In October, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) began investigating 2 cases of suspected E. coli poisoning. According to IDPH representative Kimberly Parker, both of the people and ground beef found in their home tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Prompted by the report of these cases of E. coli O157:H7, American Foods Group recalled about 48 tons of ground beef products. The ground beef that tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 is vital clue that investigators from the Illinois Department of Public Health needed to quickly identify the food that was responsible for the patients' illnesses. Before the American Foods Group LLP recall, the Illinois Department of Public Health took its findings to the US Department of Agriculture, which presented the meat company with evidence of the sick patients and the contaminated ground beef. The company recalled 48 tons of its ground beef on November 24. Packages from patients' homes were found in several of the most recent foodborne illness outbreaks. The list reads like a hall of fame—or maybe we should we call it a "hall of shame". In the past year alone, investigators were able to examine contaminated ConAgra pot pies (Salmonella), Topps ground beef (E. coli O157:H7), Castleberry's chili sauce (Clostridium botulinum, which produces toxic botulism spores), and ConAgra peanut butter (Salmonella) found in the homes of sick patients. Pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7 and Listeria are considered to be food "adulterants." Quite simply, they shouldn't be in food. So when investigators find an exact genetic match between the pathogen from sick patients and the food from their homes, they often have the "smoking gun." In a food recall, people who have the product in their homes but have not eaten it should always throw the food away. But people often ask what they should do if they've eaten a recalled product. We would suggest that people should save the product and packaging until it's clear that they didn't get sick. (This should not be considered legal advice. You should contact us or another law firm if you would like assistance with any legal matter.) And if they get sick, see a doctor and ask to be tested and treated immediately.

E. coli O111 Death

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:00:19 -0600

The USDA announced this week an ongoing plan to collect data on the prevalence of non-O157:H7 E. coli contamination. The USDA routinely checks for O157:H7 contamination, and focuses the majority of its efforts to combat the bacteria, due to its harmful and often fatal characteristics. One of the strains of E. coli to be tested for is the O111 strain, the same strain that led to the death of Kayla Boner. Kayla, a 14 year old Iowan, first developed diarrhea, followed the shutting down of her kidneys, which ultimately led to her death. E. coli O111 infection was the cause of death, but it has not been determined how she became infected with the bacteria. According to the Des Moines Register:

"Why hasn't the meat ever been tested for this? This is something that my kid died for," said Dana Boner. "It makes me angry that no one ever checks for that." USDA officials aren't sure how prevalent O111 and the other non-O157 strains are but said that reports of illnesses are increasing.

Although strains of E. coli other that O157 can cause serious illness, such as Kayla’s, representatives from the meat industry still oppose the USDA’s plan to start testing for different bacteria. We support the USDA testing program and urge the USDA to take all measures to protect consumers from meat contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 E. coli.

Non-0157 E. coli

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:02:00 -0600

The USDA will be taking greater actions to combat E. coli. Although the USDA currently tests products for the deadly E. coli O157:H7 strain, they will now begin testing for non-1057 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli, or STECs. Test samples will include those that tested positive for O157 and those that did not. The new testing is only being done for study purposes, and the USDA has not declared STECs to be adulterants. If samples test positive for STECs, but not for O157, products will not be recalled or seized in any way. The testing will be focusing on a variety of strains of STECs, including 026, 0111, 0103, 0121, 045, and 0145. These six types cause most illnesses among non-0157 bacteria, and once sufficient data is gathered, the USDA will make a decision on whether or not to include the bacteria as adulterants, subject to the same type of policies as products contaminated with 0157. If the USDA does indeed declare these bacteria adulterants, they will undergo the following process, as reported by Meatingplace:

define applicable products from slaughter/dressing and further processing
issue a Federal Register Notice in the form of an interpretive rule
establish an effective date that ensures sufficient time to address seamless implementation for both domestic and imported products
issue compliance guidelines
issue policy implementation instructions and train FSIS inspection personnel
conduct outreach to the regulated industry

The food industry will have to undergo major changes if this happens, especially among members of the meat industry. In response to this, FSIS Under Secretary Richard Raymond said, “You certainly may hear things you don’t agree with...Progress won’t occur if we’re just wanting to avoid discomfort by maintaining the old status quo. The E. coli bug is obviously not satisfied with the status quo and neither should we be.”

E. coli Lawyer and Attorney

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:16:51 -0600

E. coli Lawyer is published by the law firm of Pritzker | Ruohonen, one of the leading food safety law firms in the United States. We have a national practice and represent victims of E. coli outbreaks throughout the United States. We also represent the families of people who died after contracting an E. coli infection. In most cases of serious injury and death, the person who contracted the E. coli infection developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). We publish E. coli Lawyer to alert consumers to E. coli recalls and outbreaks, provide information on E. coli and HUS, and provide information on E. coli law and litigation. Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Rich Ruohonen have a national reputation and have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Lawyers USA and other publications. In recognition of their accomplishments, they have been named “Super Lawyers” by Law & Politics magazine. Fred and Rich are sought-after speakers and have conducted numerous legal seminars and presentations on such matters as how to get top verdicts and settlements, foodborne illness, products liability, trial tactics, use of expert witnesses, and pain and suffering.

DO YOU NEED AN E. COLI LAWYER?

E. coli cases are complex and involve a number of subjects about which most lawyers are unfamiliar. Successful E. coli lawyers must have years of experience representing food safety survivors and know and understand technical subjects including epidemiology, microbiology, infectious disease, food safety and sanitation, and internal and gastrointestinal medicine. As importantly, lawyers handling these cases should be seasoned trial attorneys. Insurance companies know which lawyers try cases (and are therefore capable of large verdicts) versus those who have little trial experience and end up settling for less than experienced trial counsel.

Because of the resources food companies and their insurers devote to defending them, it’s critically important that your lawyer has the best people available to work on your case and the resources to pay for them. Experienced E. coli lawyers have connections with top-notch epidemiologists, microbiologists, medical professionals, and other experts to act as consultants and, if necessary, witnesses at a trial.

If you need an E. coli lawyer, we would like to help. To contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form for review by an E. coli lawyer.

E. coli Eating Antibiotics for Lunch

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:14:12 -0600

New research suggests that E. coli may have a new weapon to combat antibiotics. Although debate has surfaced over the use of antibiotics and the ability for bacteria to become resistant to the drugs, researchers from Harvard have discovered that some bacteria are not only resistant to antibiotics, but actually consume the drugs. According to Discover, the researchers took 11 soil samples from various environments with different levels of antibiotics. Bacteria were discovered in all the samples that were able to survive by consuming antibiotics. These bacteria included types of E. coli as well as Shigella. The bacteria even existed in conditions that contained more that 100 times the amount of drugs given as a normal dose to patients and more than 50 times the amount needed to qualify bacteria as resistant. The research provides a new angle on the use of antibiotics to combat bacteria like E. coli, both in patients and in livestock. There is also a possibility that the genes that allow the consumption of antibiotics could be spread to pathogenic bacteria and make infections from bacteria such as E. coli 0157:H7 even more dangerous.

More Virulent Strains of E. coli May Lead to More Cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:37:35 -0600

Researchers at Michigan State University, including microbial evolutionary biologist Thomas Whittam, have phylogenetically analyzed multiple strains of the dangerous E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria (or enterohemorrhagic E. coli, EHEC), and determined that dangerous versions of the bacteria are on the rise. The researchers noticed that outbreaks related to the deadly bacteria can vary in severity. The outbreak in spinach in the United States was much more severe than a similar outbreak in Japan. This observation spurred the researchers to group different variations of the bacteria into different clades, primarily based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The researchers discovered interesting correlations between different clades. According to Genome Web:

When they focused in on 39 distinct SNP genotypes and used these to create a phylogenetic network, the team found that the EHEC strains tested fell into nine different clades. Interestingly, there were not only differences in toxin genes between clades, but also in the severity of human infection associated with different clades.

Researchers also noted that the strains in clade eight were associated with severe disease most often found in children or individuals younger than 18. The bacteria in clade eight also had a higher risk of causing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS):

Over the past five years or so, Whittam noted, there also seem to be changes in different clades’ prevalence, with clade eight infections apparently increasing and some others decreasing. Still, it’s unclear why clade eight infections are more prevalent — especially in Michigan — in recent years. Whittam speculated that this could be related to the food source that carries the bug, the amount of toxin those strains produce, or some other yet unknown factor.

Whittam and the researchers are hoping that this new breakthrough will help prevent rapid outbreaks associated with E. coli 0157:H7. He would also like to continue the research to developing a quicker way of identifying different strains which could be useful for rapid vegetable-related outbreaks. Whittam also noted that the technique used could help gain greater insight into other forms of E. coli that are not yet known to cause disease in humans.

Alabama E. coli Outbreak Associated with Eastern Shore First Baptist Church

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:49:41 -0600

According to news reports, at least 20 people who attended the annual "Beast Feast and Wild Game Supper" at the Eastern Shore First Baptist Church have become ill. At least 8 of those people have been diagnosed with E. coli. For those who were sickened, it is important for others, especially the church family, to understand that they are really sick and need support and prayers, even after they return home from the hospital. We monitor meat recalls and E. coli outbreaks, so we would recommend that people not use ground beef in meals for the families. Those who were sickened and their families have medical bills, lost earnings and other damages, and they should be compensated for these losses. However, pursuing a claim against one’s church is not something everyone is willing to do. That may not be necessary. If the food responsible for the E. coli poisoning is pinpointed, an E. coli lawyer can pursue claims against the manufacturer, distributor and others connected with that food product. Even if a food source if pinpointed, it will probably be in the sickened individual's best interests to pursue a claim against the church. Given that churches generally have insurance to cover liabilities like this, pursuing a claim against a church should not be viewed an assault against the church. Pursuing a claim against the church may be the only way to get to the insurance money. Sadly, this is how the system works. Any lawsuit against the church should not be taken personally by the members of the church. We are sensitive to situations like this and have dealt with this issue before. While health officials work to track down the food product, those sickened and their families may want to contact an experienced E. coli lawyer regarding what can be done to protect legal rights. To contact a lawyer at our law firm, please call toll-free at 1-999-377-8900 or submit the firm’s free case consultation form.

Antibiotic-Resistant E. coli

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:35:38 -0600

A new study from researchers at the University of Calgary, published in Lancet Infectious Diseases, examines the possible rise of antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli, including the potentially-lethal 0157:H7 strain. Researchers seem to be worried that the resistant strains may be becoming more common in hospital settings in the near future, calling for increased funding to track the spread of these resistant strains. The study examined numerous surveys from the past seven years from a variety of countries, tracking the growth of antibiotic-resistant E. coli. The authors stated, according to The Press Association, "These bacteria have become widely prevalent in the community setting in certain areas of the world and they are most likely being imported into the hospital setting." The researchers studied strains of E. coli that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), which is an enzyme that makes the bacteria resistant to most commonly used antibiotics in hospitals. The United Kingdom’s Health Protection Agency has already begun working with the National Health Service to begin addressing this potentially dangerous problem so that the risks associated with these resistant E. coli strains will be minimized. The information gathered will be important not only for the care of hospital patients in Europe, but also in the United States.

Microwave safety and E. coli

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:00:37 -0600

With outbreaks of E. coli 0157:H7 in frozen foods such as Jeno’s and Totino’s Pizza, the safety of microwave cooking has been intensely questioned and studied in order to provide safer products in the future. Many organizations in the food industry have developed programs to address risks associated with microwavable foods, and the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) released a series of presentations discussing the risks. Microwave ovens are inherently flawed in that they do not always evenly heat and cook foods, which allow for hot and cold spots within cooked food. Not only are there variances in temperature, but not evenly cooking the product can result in the failure to inactivate pathogens (including E. coli O157:H7) in the food that may cause disease. The presentations address a variety of areas that affect uneven heating:

Non-uniform distribution of dipolar molecules and ionic materials within the food.
Differences in microwave absorption of frozen/thawed areas.
Product/component edge heating effects.
Areas of high and low microwave field strength within the oven cavity and product.
Different food component and thermal properties.

We support all efforts to make food safe. It is important to note, however, that consumers are not at fault for E. coli poisoning. It is the responsibility of manufacturers and others to provide food that is free of dangerous pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7. Published by E. coli Lawyer.

E. coli Lawsuit Filed in Iowa against Owner of Taco John's Restaurant

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:48:01 -0600

Elliot Olsen, an attorney at Pritzker | Ruohonen, has filed a lawsuit against an operator of a Taco John’s restaurant in Iowa on behalf of a woman who contracted an E. coli infection after eating food from the restaurant in November of 2006. “These illnesses represent yet another breakdown in a system which seems incapable of protecting the public from contaminated food,” stated Mr. Olsen. “We believe there are other victims out there who have not yet come forward.” The Waterloo Cedar-Falls Courier reported on the lawsuit:

Represented by attorney Elliot Olsen of Minneapolis, Bellis filed her suit against CMT Inc., which operates the Taco John's restaurant at 6210 University Ave., in Black Hawk County District Court earlier this month. Two other suits against Taco John's were filed in federal court in December 2006 and have since been settled. According to court records, Bellis had two soft-shell tacos with lettuce at the Cedar Falls store Nov. 30. On Dec. 4, she had abdominal cramps, which progressed to bloody diarrhea, vomiting and extreme dehydration. She spent two day in the hospital after an emergency room visit, records state. Workers at the Black Hawk County Health Department determined she had tested positive E. coli bacteria and concluded she became sick as a result of her Taco John's meal. CMT is based in South Dakota and operates Taco John's in Cedar Falls. Officials said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the E. coli strain was traced to growers in California, and some 81 people in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin were infected. In Black Hawk County, 33 people became ill with E. coli infections, and 14 were hospitalized.

To contact Elliot Olsen, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, email Elliot, or submit the firm's free case consultation form. Read more about the Iowa E. coli outbreak linked to Taco John's on our website.

Ethanol and E. coli

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:39:17 -0600

2007 marked a drastic increase of recalled beef due to E. coli contamination, including the Topps Meat recall, the largest beef recall in U.S. history. There were 67 illnesses connected to the 20 recalls of 2007, as opposed to the 8 recalls with no illnesses in 2006. Scientists believe the recent flood of E. coli contamination (specifically the lethal 0157:H7 strain) may be connected to the use of distillers grain, an ethanol byproduct. Ethanol production has greatly increased with the increasing demand for the use of ethanol as a fuel additive. This demand has driven up the price of corn which makes distillers grain much more affordable for cattle producers to use as feed. Researchers have been testing for a correlation between the use of distillers grain and E. coli 0157:H7 for a few years already. According to the Des Moines Register: Researchers at Kansas State University noticed the possible E. coli connection to distillers grains in 2005. A second study found a twofold increase in E. coli levels in cattle fed the product compared with those that ate only corn. Research at the University of Nebraska showed mixed results. Cattle fed a diet comprising 10 percent to 30 percent distillers grains actually had lower rates of E. coli than cattle on a diet of all corn. But cattle fed 40 percent to 50 percent distillers grains showed higher E. coli rates. The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska is currently conducting a large scale experiment to get to the bottom of this issue. According to the Associated Press:

The research involves 600 cattle. Half are being fed a traditional grain feed and half are being fed distiller's grain. The research will wrap up in June after the cattle have been sold for slaughter and samples of their carcasses have been collected. The cattle fed with distillers grains receive a diet of 40 percent distillers grains. The research will be a valuable insight into both the beef and ethanol industry. The study hopes to gain a greater understanding of E. coli 0157:H7 so that its dangerous effects can be prevented. The bacteria can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea that may turn bloody within one to three days. It can also be lethal to the elderly, children, and those with weak immune systems.

2006 Spinach E. coli Outbreak Prompted Change

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:30:15 -0600

The 2006 outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 from fresh spinach has prompted many growers to change their practices to ensure the safety of their produce. According to the Detroit Free Press, growers in Yuma, Arizona have been stepping up precautionary measures in order to prevent another massive outbreak and to make sure consumers feels safe about the produce they eat. The outbreak in 2006, which claimed the lives of three people, and sickening over 200 people in 26 different states, was found to be tied to California spinach. It is believed that wild pigs spread E. coli 0157:H7 from a cattle ranch to the spinach fields. According to the Detroit Free Press: The outbreak prompted the Western Growers Association to create an agreement that incorporates the latest scientific practices for growing and handling produce, said Jasper Hempel, executive vice president and attorney for the trade group. When a food distributor signs the pact, it agrees to buy only from growers who abide by the practices and who agree to inspections by federally trained state inspectors. California produce distributors have already signed the agreement. California produces virtually all spinach and lettuce produce for the United States during the summer, but Arizona produces the nation’s supply during the winter. Most major distributors in Arizona have also signed an agreement similar to the one in California. California and Arizona growers have adopted new standards to protect their crops from E. coli contamination, including spacing produce fields at least a quarter mile away from cattle grazing ground and a mile away from feed lots. Growers will also need to evaluate their fields in news ways to prevent contamination due to storm runoff, flooding, irrigation water and fertilizer. The Western Growers Association also supports the creation of federal standards similar to those implemented in California and Arizona.

Rochester Meat Company E. coli Recall

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:51:21 -0600

Urgent E. coli Lawyer Outbreak Alert: Five people in Wisconsin and one in California have confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection associated with ground beef produced by Rochester Meat Company. The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services and the California Department of Public Health connected the six cases of E. coli O157:H7 through the PulseNet database of E. coli O157:H7 genetic “fingerprints,” a national database used to track E. coli outbreaks. (PulseNet also tracks other foodborne pathogens.) Rochester Meat Company E. coli Recall: In response to this E. coli outbreak, Rochester Meat Company has recalled about 188,000 pounds of ground beef. The recalled Rochester Meat Company ground beef products were produced on October 30, 2007, and November 6, 2007. They were shipped to distributors nationwide for further distribution to restaurants and food service institutions. The recalled Rochester Meat Company ground beef products were not available for purchase by consumers in retail establishments. Read more about the Rochester Meat Company recall and lawsuit.