In recent years, a number of E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks have been linked to lettuce. Our lawyers have represented victims of these lettuce-E. coli outbreaks. We are currently investigating a possible lettuce-E. coli outbreak that has sickened people in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Contact our national food safety lawyers for a free consultation: 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.

Several of the lettuce E. coli outbreak cases have involved the development of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness that causes organ failure, brain damage and death. HUS is the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States, and about 10% of children who contract E. coli infections develop HUS.

HUS is characterized by three main features: microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure (kidney failure) (1). Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia means that red blood cells (carry oxygen) are destroyed in damaged small blood vessels, resulting in a low red blood cell count. Thrombocytopenia indicates a low platelet count and results from entrapment of the platelets in organs (1). Acute renal failure means that the kidney function is severely impaired. Many E. coli-HUS patients undergo hemodialysis and plasmapherisis.

If you have a child, spouse or other loved one who has lettuce-E. coli-associated HUS, the following information may be helpful:

• Make sure your loved one is tested for E. coli O157:H7 as soon as possible. This generally involves getting a stool sample. A positive test for E. coli O157:H7 is critical to determining what party or parties are liable (legally responsible) for the illness. If you have questions about E. coli testing, please contact our law firm to speak with one of our E. coli lawyers.
• If you have left over lettuce that you know or suspect caused the E. coli infection, DO NOT THROW IT AWAY. In the last lettuce-E. coli outbreak, a bag of leftover lettuce in a victim’s refrigerator cracked the case. Again, contact our law firm about this important evidence.
• You probably know by now that medical expenses related to lettuce-E. coli associated HUS are astronomical. Contact our law firm for information on how to collect medical expenses from responsible parties (a processor of bagged lettuce, a grower, distributors and others). Do not take any money from a responsible party without contacting our law firm. You may give up the right to seek future medical expenses, pain and suffering compensation and other damages.
  

We are food safety lawyers, and we view our job as twofold: 1) To make sure that victims of E. coli outbreaks linked to lettuce are fully and adequately compensated and 2) to prevent future lettuce-E. coli outbreaks by making the responsible parties pay enough to make it hurt. We also seek policy and law changes that will help prevent future outbreaks. Our clients have appeared before Congress. Contact our lawyers.

Source: 1. Razzaq S. 2006. Hemolytic uremic syndrome: an emerging health risk. Am Fam Phys. 74:6:991-996.

Posted May 2009.

Labels:lettuce E coli lawyer, lettuce food poisoning, Renal Failure