Recent E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Romaine Lettuce

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

 

Imagine going to the grocery store, picking out food for the week, preparing that food, and then becoming violently ill. E. coli is a dangerous bacteria that can be found on food and make people ill, or even cause death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have linked a recent outbreak to romaine lettuce. Nearly 200 people all across the United States have been affected by this most recent E. coli outbreak. In addition to people becoming ill, five people have died as a result of the E. coli contamination.

 

Farm-rows-Charlotte-Injury-Lawyer-Mooresville-Accident-Attorney-300x225The contamination has been traced back to the Yuma, Arizona region. Enough time has passed that it is unlikely that any romaine lettuce remains on shelf that has been contaminated with E. coli. When a person buys food at the grocery store, there is an expectation that the food has been handled properly and is not contaminated with harmful bacteria that can cause illness or even death. It is not practical for an individual to test all of his or her food for E. coli bacteria or other bacteria, but understanding a few key things about E. coli can help protect you from future trouble. Additionally, should you be infected, you will know what to look out for and know how to seek proper treatment for a foodborne illness.

 

The Basics of E. Coli

 

  1. E. coli is a bacteria that is often connected with food and foodborne illnesses. There are many different strains of bacteria and not every strain is harmful. Only some of the strains of E. coli can make a person ill. Each harmful E. coli strain has a different name, with the most recent outbreak being linked to the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. Individuals become ill when the harmful strain of E. coli enters the bloodstream. If you are concerned you have been infected with E. coli, these are common symptoms and illnesses that can develop:

 

  • Diarrhea
  • Resperatory Illnesses
  • Infections in the bloodstream
  • Damage to the kidneys
  • Urinary tract infections.

 

  1. E. Coli and Personal Injury

 

You might be wondering how E. coli and personal injury are linked. E. coli is a form of food poisoning. Those who have food poisoning can file a personal injury suit against a restaurant, or other preparer of food, for their negligent preparation of food. Negligence means that someone failed to take the reasonable steps to ensure the safety of consumers. Any action that is taken by the a restaurant, store, or other preparer that does not help contribute to the safety of consumers, or failure to follow safety standards could be considered negligence. Common examples include failure to wash off food items before preparation, failure to remove known infected food items from the shelves, or unsanitary conditions.

 

If you or a loved one has been infected in the recent E. coli outbreak, or has incurred another type of food poisoning, you might be entitled to compensation. We know that illnesses can have tragic consequences on your life. Medical bills pile up and suddenly you find yourself unable to maintain your lifestyle. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC can help you determine if you have a viable personal injury case. Now taking cases throughout the Charlotte region with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and the new location under renovation in Monroe. Contact us, for a free consultation, call us at 704-370-2828 or click here for additional resources.

 

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The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.

 

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/index.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/e-coli/symptoms-causes/syc-20372058

 

 

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