The Centers for Disease Control estimates that about one in six people get sick from food-borne illnesses each year in the United States. Of these, around 3,000 people die as a result. In recent years, E. Coli outbreaks have become familiar to Americans as they continue to come up in the news, at times causing serious effects for victims.
E. Coli is a bacterium that can be transmitted by consuming contaminated food, including unwashed raw produce, undercooked beef, unpasteurized juice, and raw milk. The consumption of contaminated food can result in symptoms, the most common of which is diarrhea. However, in more serious cases, it can cause anemia or kidney failure, which can lead to death.
E. Coli generally lives in cattle, but it can also be found in other livestock. If meat containing E. Coli bacteria is not cooked to 160 degrees, E. Coli bacteria can survive and infect those who consume it. In addition, the meat can affect other food that comes into contact with the infected raw meat. Raw meat is the most likely cause for infection, but it can be transmitted through raw fruits and vegetables, or through raw milk or other dairy products.
Liability in Food Poisoning Cases
Food poisoning lawsuits generally require the same proof as any other personal injury action. There has to be an act, an injury, and causation. However, what is required varies depending on the facts of the case and the theory of liability. The possible avenues for relief include strict liability, negligence, and breach of warranty.
Food poisoning cases can be difficult to prove in cases in which the contaminated food has been consumed or thrown away. However, when there is an outbreak and an investigation, proving contamination is generally easier to do. In addition, expert testimony is often helpful in food poisoning cases to explain that the symptoms a victim suffered were the result of contaminated food.
E. Coli Outbreak at Chicago Restaurant Affects at Least 50 People
According to one news source, a restaurant in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago recently had an E. Coli outbreak that caused at least 50 people to get sick, at least five of whom had to go to the hospital. The Chicago Department of Public Health is investigating the outbreak at the restaurant, Carbón Live Fire Mexican Grill, located at 300 W. 26th Street. The restaurant has closed as a result of the outbreak. The owners have a second restaurant, located at 810 N. Marshfield, which has also closed. The restaurant, once scheduled to participate in Taste of Chicago, has now withdrawn.
One customer who ate at the restaurant recently suffered from chills, cramps, and severe diarrhea before seeking medical treatment a few days later. Her symptoms worsened, and she tested positive for E. Coli after she was transferred to Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey.
Have You Become Sick after Visiting a Local Restaurant?
If you recently ate at this or another restaurant and suffered symptoms, after you seek medical help, you should seek legal help. Food-borne illnesses can cause serious medical issues, and victims deserve compensation, which can include the costs of medical bills, lost wages, and more. These are complex cases that generally require sophisticated legal strategies. The Chicago E. Coli attorneys at Moll Law Group are skilled at guiding individuals who have suffered injuries, including food-borne illnesses, through their claims. Call us at 312-462-1700 or use our online form to arrange a free consultation.
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