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Hepatitis A and Pizza Ranch Lawsuit FAQ

Pritzker | Ruohonen is a Minnesota law firm with a concentration in the area of foodborne illness litigation. The firm is a national law firm and is currently representing victims of a hepatitis A outbreak linked to an Arizona restaurant. Fred Pritzker has gained a national reputation in this area and has been interviewed by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and other publications. In recognition of his accomplishments, other lawyers have selected him for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America. To contact an attorney at Pritzker | Ruohonen about a Pizza Ranch lawsuit, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, e-mail Fred Pritzker or submit the Pritzker | Ruohonen online consultation form.

Question: In foodborne illness cases, who is responsible under the law for compensating injured people?
It depends upon who is responsible for contaminating the food. In the case of the Pizza Ranch, the investigation is ongoing and no determination of responsibility has been made. Hepatitis A contamination is frequently caused by the failure of restaurant employees to wash their hands. Contamination can also occur as a result of contaminated products. For example, in a major hepatitis outbreak involving Chi Chi’s Restaurant the cause of the contamination was green onions.

Question: What is an “incubation period” and how long is the incubation period for hepatitis A?
“Incubation period” means the length of time between being infected with a pathogen and the appearance of symptoms. For hepatitis A, the incubation period is usually around 30 days, but can be from 10 to 50 days.

Question: How long are people with hepatitis A infectious?
The infectious period for hepatitis A is from two weeks before jaundice occurs through the first week of jaundice. This means that someone can transmit hepatitis A for two weeks before they even know they have hepatitis A. This atypically-long infectious period combined with the long incubation period makes determining the source of hepatitis A infections extremely difficult.

Question: How is hepatitis A spread by a restaurant employee?
If a food handler at a restaurant who has hepatitis A does not wash his or her hands well after going to the bathroom, any feces left on the hands can get into patrons’ food. Because the hepatitis A virus colonizes in human feces, anyone eating the infected food handler’s feces will consume hepatitis A and thereby be infected.

Question: Is Pizza Ranch liable for injuries resulting from the exposure of patrons to hepatitis A?
Yes. Restaurants are responsible for any injury caused by the food they serve. Even if a specific food handler directly caused the harm, the restaurant is liable for the harm.

Question: If I do not get hepatitis A but I had to have an immune globulin shot, do I have a case against the Pizza Ranch?
Yes, you have a case against the Pizza Ranch for compensation for having to have the shot and for the emotional distress caused by not knowing whether or not you have hepatitis A. The incubation period for hepatitis A can be as long as 2 months. That is a long time to have to worry about getting hepatitis A. Contact the Minneapolis law firm of Pritzker | Ruohonen for representation.

Question: If I test positive for hepatitis A, what compensation can I get from the Pizza Ranch?
If you test positive for hepatitis A, you may have a claim for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of income and other damages. Contact Pritzker | Ruohonen for representation in a Pizza Ranch lawsuit.

Question: Do I need to have leftovers from the Pizza Ranch to file a lawsuit?
No, you do not need to have leftovers to file a claim against the Pizza Ranch. If you have record of eating at the restaurant and you test positive for hepatitis A (or do not test positive but needed an immune globulin shot), you may have a claim against the Pizza Ranch.

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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

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

What We Do

Foodborne Illness