E. coli, HUS and TTP from Restaurant Steak

E. coli Lawyer — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:35:47 +0000

Our E. coli lawyers are investigating cases of E. coli O157 that may be associated with steak served at restaurants in Ohio, Minnesota and other states. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with E. coli poisoning, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and/or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), we would like to hear from you. We are gathering information for both litigation and food safety purposes. Our clients have given testimony before Congress, been featured in an article in Consumer Reports, and taken other measures to educate government leaders and consumers about the need to improve food safety and prevent tragic illnesses and deaths.

As with most E. coli outbreaks associated with steak products, this outbreak appears to be caused by contaminated brine that was injected into non-intact steak. After brine is injected into a steak, the excess runs off and is used over. If that brine is contaminated, it will cross-contaminate the steaks into which it is injected. Because the brine is injected into the steaks, the E. coli bacteria get into the middle of the steak where it may be hard to kill them.

Under federal law that was created in 1999, non-intact beef that is injected with brine is “adulterated” if it is contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. This means that someone who contracts an E. coli infection from a brine-injected non-intact steak product can sue the manufacturer of that steak product and the restaurant where it was served under strict liability laws. The E. coli victim does not have to prove negligence on anyone’s part to recover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and other damages under strict liability.

Our lawyers represent people sickened by E. coli O157, HUS and TTP throughout the United States. Our clients have suffered kidney failure, neurological disorders and other serious problems associated with the E. coli infection. When families come to us, they are faced with huge medical bills and sometimes a lifetime of medical needs. We help them get the money they need to take care of their loved one.

To contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker Olsen, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free), email Attorney Fred Pritzker or submit our online form for a free consultation.

Diagnosis of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

admin — Sun, 13 May 2007 03:11:15 +0000

To confirm the presence of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), there are several laboratory tests that can be performed. A complete blood count (CBC) positive for HUS could show decreased platelet count, rupture of red blood cells, hemolytic anemia or elevated white blood cell count. A urinalysis may also be performed. Positive results could show blood in the urine or protein in the urine.

Blood chemistry tests such as chem-20 may show abnormalities such as elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN), elevated creatinine, and elevated free hemoglobin. Blood coagulation tests such as PT or PTT may be performed as well. PT and PTT measure the amount of time it takes for the blood to clot. Since platelets are destroyed by HUS, the blood would take longer to clot for someone with HUS.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health have an excellent directory of medical information called Medline Plus. It has more information on the specific treatments of HUS.

Pritzker | Ruohonen has a national practice and represents E. coli victims throughout the United States. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the online contact form.

Ecoli Lawyer » TTP HUS

E. coli, HUS and TTP from Restaurant Steak

Diagnosis of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome