Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

Campylobacter

Attorneys Brendan Flaherty and Fred Pritzker are representing people severely sickened by chicken and raw milk. One of their clients contracted Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a possible complication of a Campylobacter infection, and is now paralyzed.

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What is Campylobacter?

CampylobacterCampylobacter is the name of a genus of a spiral-shaped bacteria found primarily in the intestines of birds--especially poultry--and other animals. Many birds can carry these bacteria without becoming ill, and it is estimated that nearly half of all chicken meat in the U.S. has some Campylobacter on it. Untreated water can also carry Campylobacter due to contamination from infected animal or human feces.

One type of Campylobacter bacteria, Campylobacter jejuni, causes an illness in humans called Campylobacteriosis. Campylobacteriosis (also called Campylobacter enteritis or gastroenteritis) is characterized by diarrheal illness, usually accompanied by fever, and abdominal cramps. Almost 99 percent of Campylobacteriosis is caused by Campylobacter jejuni. In rare cases, Campylobacter can cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, a servere illness that can lead to paralysis and death.

Fortunately, Campylobacter bacteria have difficulty surviving when exposed to air. Since they require low levels of oxygen to thrive, many campylobacter infections are prevented by exposing contaminated surfaces to fresh air. Unfortunately, Campylobacter's unusual growth requirements make the bacteria difficult to isolate and study. It was not until 1972 that scientists figured out a way to isolate the organisms from feces and determine they were a cause of human illness. Until then, Campylobacter was known only to cause illness in animals, especially sheep and cattle.

Campylobacter's fragility is not only characterized by its intolerance for oxygen. Campylobacter bacteria can also be killed by drying, heating, disinfectants and acidic conditions. However, only a relatively small number of Campylobacter organisms--as few as 500--can cause an infection in humans. One drop of contaminated raw chicken juice would be enough to infect someone.

Video: Campylobacter Attorney Discusses Infection, Complications and Current Cases

In the video below, Attorney Brendan Flaherty discusses Campylobacter food poisoning.

Campylobacter Outbreaks and News

Man Paralyzed after Consuming Pasture Maid Creamery Raw Milk in Pennsylvania Hires Pritzker Law Firm: A man who contracted a Campylobacter infection after consuming Pasture Maid Creamery raw milk lays paralyzed in a Pennsylvania hospital with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Pritzker Olsen law firm has been retained to represent the man and his family. Read about the Pasture Maid Creamery Campylobacter case.

Pritzker Olsen Client Featured in Consumer Reports: As part of a food safety article in the January 2010 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, Pritzker Olsen client Michele Lundell shared her story. After eating a salad at an Apple Valley, Minn., Chipotle restaurant in February 2009, she was diagnosed with Campylobacter. The harmful bacteria most likely came from lettuce contaminated by raw or undercooked chicken, according to a Minnesota Department of Health report. Read about the Consumer Reports interview.

Campylobacter Outbreak Update, July 30, 2010: Well water from the Campfire Lodge Resort has been linked to an outbreak of campylobacteriosis, the illness caused by Campylobacter bacteria, according to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.  There are 14 laboratory-confirmed cases of campylobacteriosis and at least 70 probable cases. Read about a Campfire Lodge Resort Campylobacteriosis Lawsuit.

Campylobacter Outbreak Update, March 19, 2010: The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) issued a public alert on March 19, 2010 regarding illness from Campylobacter infections (campylobacteriosis) among people who have reported consuming raw milk products obtained from the Family Farms Cooperative in Vandalia, Michigan. The plastic containers of raw milk have the following information on a green and white cap: "FOREST GROVE DAIRY, MIDDLEBURY, INDIANA; RAW COW'S MILK, WARNING-NOT PASTEURIZED, 128 FL OZ." Read about a Family Farms Cooperative and Forest Grove Dairy lawsuit.

Campylobacter Outbreak Update, January 29, 2010: New York public health officials are warning consumers that Willow Marsh Farm raw milk may be contaminated with Campylobacter. Five cases of campylobacteriosis may be associated with Willow Marsh Farm raw milk. Read about a Willow Marsh Farm lawsuit.

Campylobacter Outbreak Update, August 28, 2009: Wisconsin public health officials have linked thirteen confirmed cases of Camplyobacter jejuni in southeastern Wisconsin to the consumption of raw milk. Read about the raw milk Campylobacter outbreak in Wisconsin and lawyer information.

Campylobacter Outbreak Update, April 7, 2009: The Colorado Dept. of Health has reported 11 cases of Campylobacter (campylobacteriosis) that may be associated with raw milk from Kinikin Corner Dairy in Montrose, Colorado. Read about a Kinikin Corner Dairy Campylobacter lawsuit.

Campylobacter Outbreak Update, March 3, 2009: A Minnesota Campylobacter outbreak has been asociated with an Apple Valley restaurant. Several people have been sickened. Health officials have not reported the name of the restaurant or a suspected food source of the outbreak. Read about the Apple Valley, MN Campylobacter outbreak.

More Campylobacter Information

For more Campylobacter information, please read the following:

We hope the Campylobacter information on this website has been of value to you. We care about the prevention of food poisoning.

If you or someone you love has become seriously ill due to a Campylobacter infection or other foodborn illness, contact us. Campylobacter lawyer Fred Pritzker has a national reputation for excellence in the area of foodborne illness lawsuits. He has been selected for inclusion in the current edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

For a free consultation, call toll-free 1-888-377-8900, e-mail us at info@pritzkerlaw.com, or submit our online form.

Campylobacter lawyer Fred Pritzker has a national food poisoning litigation practice and represents clients throughout the United States.

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