The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year there 76 million cases of foodborne disease resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths. The lawyers of the Gancedo Law Firm are experienced in representing victims of foodborne disease outbreaks, and thoroughly prepare each case to maximize recovery for their clients’ injuries, medical expenses and loss of earnings.
Among the most common foodborne diseases are Escherichia coli (E. coli O157:H7), Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Shigella. The E. coli bacteria live in the intestines of people and animals, and can harm individuals who are exposed to it from contaminated food or water –usually unwashed produce or under cooked meat. Restaurant employees who don’t properly wash their hands can transmit E. coli bacteria to food. E. coli can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping and nausea, and in some cases can cause severe and bloody diarrhea and kidney failure. Symptoms of E. coli infections typically begin three or four days after exposure to the bacteria.
Salmonella is a common bacterial disease which causes fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Salmonella infection normally occurs through contaminated food or water, often as a result of undercooked meat, poultry and eggs. Rare complications include severe dehydration, meningitis, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis. Symptoms usually occur within three days of infection.
Campylobacter bacteria lives in the intestines of healthy birds including poultry. It causes fever, diarrhea and abdominal pain and cramps. The most common source of campylobacter infection is eating undercooked chicken. Symptoms often occur two to ten days following infection.
Shigella infection (shigellosis) is an intestinal disease caused by the Shigella family of bacteria. Symptoms of diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever usually begin 24 to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria. Shigella infections normally are passed through the fecal-oral route as when restaurant workers handle food with inadequately washed hands or when family members fail to wash hands after changing diapers. Severe though rare complications include seizures, rectal prolapse, kidney failure, toxic megacolon and Reiter Syndrome.
If you or someone you know has suffered food contamination from the above bacteria or others, contact the lawyers at the Gancedo Law Firm for a no-cost, no-obligation evaluation of your legal rights. Contact the Gancedo Law Firm at 800/500-5735.