Amarillo E. coli Outbreak Investigation
We represent children who have contracted E. coli infections. Our attorneys are some of the few in the United States that have litigated cases involving hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of E. coli O157 that causes renal failure and a host of other serious health problems, primarily in children. Attorney Elliot Olsen recently represented a family whose young son died from E. coli-HUS after contracting E. coli at a daycare center.
The Amarillo E. coli O157 outbreak involves 7 children, 6 of whom had contact with each other. Several of the children are related. Four of the children (most under 5) have been hospitalized. Although Amarillo officials are calling this a “cluster” and not an outbreak, it is an outbreak. Right now it is an outbreak with no known source.
Our E. coli cases are generally linked to contaminated food, but we have also represented children who contracted E. coli infections from well water, at day care and at petting zoos. Children are at higher risk of contracting E. coli infections and developing serious complications. This is because they put toys and their hands in their mouths and because their little bodies are more affected by the Shiga toxins produced by E. coli bacteria. A microscopic amount of E. coli on a piece of lettuce can make a child really sick. For children who develop severe colitis, hypertension or HUS, they are literally fighting for their lives for a period of time, sometimes months.
Contact our attorneys for a free consultation and information about our experience with E. coli and HUS.
Keywords: Amarillo E. coli outbreak, HUS, attorneys, lawsuit, daycare, Dallas, Texas, E. coli O157.
Lebanon Bologna E coli Outbreak Investigation
The investigation into the Lebanon bologna E coli outbreak has found an epidemiological link between certain Seltzer’s Lebanon bologna products and 14 cases of E. coli O157:H7 in Maryland (3 cases), New Jersey (2 cases), North Carolina (1 case), Ohio (2 cases) and Pennsylvania (6 cases). The Seltzer’s bologna products are made by Palmyra Bologna Company, Inc. of Palmyra Pennsylvania. Lebanon bologna is a beef product. E. coli O157 is found in the intestines of beef cattle.
In an epidemiology study conducted during March 15-18, a total of 13 ill persons answered questions about foods consumed during the days before becoming ill, and investigators compared their responses to those of 21 persons of similar age previously reported to state health departments with other illnesses (“controls”). Ill persons (69%) were significantly more likely than controls (0%) to report eating Lebanon bologna. Additionally, four ill persons have been identified who purchased Seltzer Brand Lebanon bologna at four different grocery store locations in three states before becoming ill. An epidemiological link can be enough for E. coli victims to sue for compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages. Contact our E. coli attorneys regarding a Palmyra bologna lawsuit.
Attorney Fred Pritzker represents food poisoning victims nationwide and has won money for clients from New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Many of his clients ahve had E. coli HUS and/or E. coli TTP. He speaks to attorney groups, food manufacturers and government agencies regarding food safety and food litigation.
Bravo Farms Lawsuit: E. coli Attorneys Provide Information for Victims in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, California
Our E. coli attorneys are investigating a Bravo Farms lawsuit for E. coli food poisoning that resulted in severe diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal pain and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure, central nervous system damage, heart problems, pancreatitis, hypertension, blindness, stroke, coma and death. Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda cheese, (Costco item 40654) offered for sale and in cheese sampling events at Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) locations is preliminarily linked with an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections.
As of Thursday, November 4, 2010, 25 persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from five states since mid-October. The number of ill persons identified in each state with this strain is as follows: Arizona (11), California (1), Colorado (8), New Mexico (3) and Nevada (2). There have been 9 reported hospitalizations, 1 possible case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and no deaths.
Bravo Farms Lawsuit: Liability and Compensation for E. coli and HUS Victims
If your case of E. coli O157 can be linked by microbiological and epidemiological evidence to Bravo Farms cheese, you most likely have a case against the company and can sue under any of the following theories of liability:
- Negligence
- Breach of contract
- Strict liability
Before we sue a food manufacturer in these cases, we hire microbiologists and epidemiologists, gather and analyze evidence, and make sure we have built a solid case for full and adequate compensation for the E. coli victim and his or her family. Compensation can include amounts for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Loss of quality of life
- Other damages
The pain and suffering E. coli victims endure is extremely high. Our job is to make sure food manufacturers like Bravo Farms are held accountable for the pain and loss they cause.
For cases involving illness from tasting Bravo Farms cheese served as a sample at a Costco store, Costco is most likely also liable to E. coli victims and their families. For more information, please see Bravo Farms Cheese Lawsuit and Costco Lawsuit.
E. coli and HUS from Hartmann Dairy Raw Milk in Minnesota
Minnesota E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker has recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of a man who was paralyzed after consuming raw milk (not Hartmann Dairy raw milk, but an outbreak in Ohio). He is also representing a Minnesota toddler who contracted an E. coli infection and then developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Contact Attorney Fred Pritzker for a free consultation.
Minnesota health officials have linked three cases of E. coli O157:H7 poisoning with raw milk from Hartmann Dairy Farm in Gibbon, Minnesota:
The Minnesota Department of Health urges anyone who may have recently purchased milk from the Hartmann Dairy Farm, also known as M.O.M.’s, to discard the product and not consume it. The milk may be labeled organic and consumers may be unaware that the milk has not been pasteurized. In addition, consumers should not eat cheese, ice cream or other dairy products from the farm, which also may have been made from raw, unpasteurized milk.
The Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are continuing to investigate a cluster of four E. coli O157:H7 illnesses that all have the same “pulsed field gel electrophoresis” (PFGE) patterns, or DNA fingerprint. Three of the four cases report a link to milk from Hartmann Farm; the fourth case is under investigation. Three of the four people were hospitalized as a result of their illness; one case has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Minnesota law prohibits most raw milk sales, except for occasional purchases directly at the farm where the milk is produced.
Raw milk is a dangerous product that should not be sold to the public. Virtually every health department, federal, state and local, recommends against its use. It is particularly dangerous for young children, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly.
Nestle Danville Plant Reopens – E. coli and HUS Victims Continue to Suffer
Nestle Danville Plant (Google Satellite)
Nestle is back in business making and selling refrigerated cookie dough following an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that, according to a July 10 CDC report, has sickened at least 76 people from 31 states. 35 people had been hospitalized, including 11 with a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
The decision to start selling the product again was made despite the fact that E. coli O157:H7 was found in an unopened package of Nestle Toll House cookie dough. This strain was not the same as the outbreak strain cultured from stool samples from outbreak survivors – meaning, most likely, that Nestle cookie dough had at least two separate strains of the deadly pathogen.
According to the FDA, Nestle cleaned up the plant, switched suppliers for the main ingredients and is now back in business producing refrigerated cookie dough:
After a plant shutdown, investigation and clean-up, Nestle has resumed manufacturing of Toll House prepackaged, refrigerated cookie dough products, now made with main ingredients from new suppliers.
Nestle gets a “do-over” while the outbreak victims are stuck with a long recovery, medical bills, lost wages and a terrible memory of an illness they will never forget. It doesn’t seem fair.
If you would like to speak with an attorney about a Nestle lawsuit, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.
