Risks

HEALTH SAFETY ALERT: The CDC has notified health professionals that antibiotics should not be prescribed for E. coli infections. Patients given antibiotics for an E. coli infection are at greater risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of E. coli-related deaths.

Ecoli: Attorneys Provide Information on the Risks of E. coli to You & Your Family
The following information on the E. coli risks is provided by Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A., a nationally-recognized law firm in the area of food poisoning lawsuits. Attorney Fred Pritzker has 29 years of experience and is currently lead attorney in a major food poisoning lawsuit involving victims from several states. He has also been selected for inclusion in the 2005-2006 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. To learn more about Fred Pritzker, please see E. coli: Lawyer and Attorney.

E. coli is one of the most dangerous foodborne illnesses. It lurks in ground meat, which can contaminate other food. Extreme care needs to be taken with any raw meat, but ground meat poses the greatest risk of E. coli poisoning and should be cooked well. Read more about E. coli prevention.

Health officials often quickly become aware of E. coli outbreaks because people get sick fast, some of them may get extremely sick. Some of the health risks of E. coli poisoning include:

Abnormal kidney function
Blindness
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome – Kidney Failure
Hemorrhagic Colitis
High blood pressure
Paralysis
Seizures
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Death

E. coli: Attorneys Provide Information about E. coli Risks with Children and the Elderly
Although most people with an E. coli infection recover completely, some people--especially very young children--develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is characterized by kidney failure and hemolytic anemia. Up to 15% of hemorrhagic colitis victims may develop HUS, which can lead to permanent loss of kidney function.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome in the elderly, plus two other symptoms, fever and neurologic symptoms, constitutes thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. The mortality rate for this illness among the elderly can be as high as 50%.

Though everyone is believed to be susceptible to hemorrhagic colitis, young children and the elderly appear to more frequently develop serious symptoms.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is the most common cause of acute kidney failure among North American children. This life-threatening condition is usually treated in intensive care, sometimes with blood transfusions and kidney dialysis.

Approximately one-third of those with hemolytic uremic syndrome experience abnormal kidney function years later, sometimes requiring long-term dialysis. Another 8% suffer from other lifelong complications, such as high blood pressure, seizures, blindness, and paralysis.

E. coli: Attorneys and Free Consultation
If you or someone you love has become seriously ill from an E. coli outbreak, contact us for a free consultation regarding your legal rights and remedies. You can reach one of our attorneys by calling toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, e-mailing info@pritzkerlaw.com, or filling in our online consultation form.

Free Case Consultation

Firm News

Fred Pritzker Listed in The Best Lawyers in America

Fred Pritzker has been notified that he will again be listed in The Best Lawyers in America.

Taste of Chicago

Pritzker | Ruohonen attorney Rich Ruohonen is managing attorney for our Taste of Chicago / Pars Cove Salmonella cases, which involve a Salmonella outbreak with over 180 confirmed cases of Salmonella. Contact Rich Ruohonen regarding these cases at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free).

E. coli Wrongful Death Settlement

We have recently settled a number of E. coli cases involving victims of various E. coli outbreaks, including a wrongful death claim.

Attorney Rich Ruohonen Has Article Published

Rich Ruohonen's recently published article addresses effective cross examination of the defence neuropsychologist.

Foodborne Outbreaks

Iowa E. coli: Raw apple cider may be associated with an Iowa E. coli outbreak.
University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) E. coli: At least 8 people have been sickened, 7 of them students.
Michigan E. coli Lettuce: A Michigan E. coli outbreak has been associated with bagged iceberg lettuce distributed by Aunt Mid's Produce Company.
Aunt Mid's Lawsuit: People in Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak.
University of Michigan and MSU E. coli Lawsuit: 7 students at Michigan State University and 3 students at the University of Michigan have contracted E. coli infections.
Hendricks Farm Campylobacter outbreak associated with Hendricks Farm & Dairy in Telford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Oklahoma E. coli: An Oklahoma E. coli outbreak may be linked to a Locust Grove restaurant.
Nebraska Beef Lawsuit: Nebraska Beef, Ltd. has recalled millions of pounds of beef products and has been linked to 2 outbreaks.
Massachusettes E. coli: A Massachusettes E. coli outbreak has been linked to Nebraska Beef products and Coleman Meat products.
Whole Foods Market Lawsuit: The Whole Foods Market E. coli outbreak is part of the Massachusettes E. coli outbreak above.
Virginia E. coli - Goshen Scout Reservation: Dozens of scouts were sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to beef.
Georgia E. coli - Barbecue Pit Lawsuit
Ohio E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Michigan E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Multi-State Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak: Tomatoes have sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States.
Minnesota Preschool E. coli: Outbreak associated with Wonder World Preschool in Slayton, Minnesota.
Washington E. coli Lettuce: Outbreak associated with commercial romaine lettuce.
Texas Salmonella Saintpaul - Tomato: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
New Mexico Salmonella Saintpaul Linked to Tomatoes: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
Nebraska E. coli Outbreak Associated with Roast Beef
Hepatitis A - La Mesa California Chipotle - Lawyer and Lawsuit: San Diego County hepatitis A outbreak
Salmonella - Puffed Rice Recall and Puffed Wheat Recall: Malt-O-Meal cereal recall.
Minnesota Salmonella - Milford Valley Farms Lawsuit: Frozen chicken product.
Salmonella - Agropecuaria Montelibano Cantaloupe Recall: Cantaloupe from Honduras.
Salmonella Litchfield Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Recall of Dole, Chiquita and other brands.
Honolulu E. coli - Sekiya's Lawsuit and Lawyer: E. coli associated with Hawaii restaurant.
Alabama E. coli - Church Supper: Outbreak associated with Eastern Shore Baptis Church.
E. coli - Rochester Meat Company Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef recall.
E. coli - Jeno's and Totino's Pizza Recall and Lawsuit: Pepperoni on pizza.
E. coli - Topps Recall and Lawsuit: Hamburger patty recall.
E. coli - Cargill/Sam's Club Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef patty recall.
Listeria - Whittier Farms Recall and Lawsuit: Miscarriage and death linked to milk.
Hawaii Salmonella - Tuna Recall and Lawsuit
Salmonella - Safeway Ground Beef Recall and Lawsuit