Dairy Linked to E. coli Outbreak in Colorado

Our law firm represents young children who develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) from E. coli O157:H7.   We are a national food safety law firm and represent E. coli and HUS victims throughout the United States. To contact a lawyer from our firm. please call 1-888-377-8900 or fill out our consultation request form

Colorado E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk

E. coli Testing

Boulder County, Colorado – In June of 2010, 16 people who reported drinking raw milk from Billy Goat Dairy in Longmont, Colorado were diagnosed with E. coli infections, according to Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) . Two children were hospitalized.

Of the people who reported becoming ill from consuming the Billy Goat Dairy milk products, lab tests have confirmed the presence of Campylobacter and E. coli 0157. Both types of bacteria are found in the intestines of animals and can be passed in their feces to food, water, and milk products that haven’t been pasteurized.

Symptoms of Campylobacter include fever, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Serious cases can lead to Guillain–Barré syndrome, permanent paralysis, and possibly death. Symptoms of E. coli include severe diarrhea (frequently bloody), abdominal cramping, and sometimes vomiting. Serious cases of E. coli can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) causing kidney failure, hypertension, brain damage, heart problems, blindness, and possibly death.

The Billy Goat Dairy operated a goat share program in which individuals bought a share of a goat and in return receive raw, unpasteurized milk. Parents should know that their children have legal rights and are not bound by any agreement signed by their parents.

“We represent people sickened by raw milk. One of our clients drank raw milk earlier this year that was contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria, and he is now paralyzed and only able to slightly move his head,” said Attorney Fred Pritzker. “Most people who are sold raw milk are not told how dangerous this product is, particularly for children.”

Our E. coli lawyers approach our raw milk poisoning cases with two objectives: 1) to find the truth, 2) to obtain justice for our clients by getting them full and adequate compensation for the harm that has come to them.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) identified 45 outbreaks of foodborne illness that implicated raw milk or cheese made from raw milk between 1998 and May 2005. These outbreaks accounted for 1,007 illnesses, 104 hospitalizations, and two deaths.

Our E. coli law firm has a national litigation practice. Our lawyers have been interviewed by The Associated Press, CNN, CBS, FOX, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Lawyers USA, and others.