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- Listeriosis
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Pritzker Olsen Attorneys
Listeria Monocytogenes and Listeriosis Information
Page content:
- What is Listeria monocytogenes?
- What is Listeriosis?
- How Does Listeria Get into Food?
- What are Listeria Symptoms?
- Further Listeria Information
Pritzker Olsen attorneys have recovered millions for victims of Listeria outbreaks. Our lawyers have appeared on CBS News and Fox News and have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Associated Press and others regarding food litigation and food safety. To contact our attorneys regarding your Listeria infection (listeriosis), please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form. We don't get paid unless you win.
What is Listeria Monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes is a is the name of a genus of a rod-shaped bacteria found in animal and human feces, on vegetation and in some livestock feed, as well as in some soil and water. As parasites, Listeria bacteria can live in animals and human beings.
One type of Listeria bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), can cause an illness called listeriosis. L. monocytogenes bacteria have been found in at least 37 species of mammal, 17 bird species and some types of fish and shellfish. A hardy bacterium, it is remarkably resistant to freezing, drying, and, to some extent, heating.
What is Listeriosis?
Listeriosis is the infection caused by consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The disease affects primarily persons of advanced age, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. However, persons without these risk factors can also rarely be affected.
Complications of listeriosis include the following:
- Listeria Meningitis
- Listeria Septicemia
- Pneumonia
- Hydrocephalus
- Encephalitis
- Seizures
- Blindness
- Brain Stem Damage
- Cranial Nerve Palsies
- Cervical Cord Compression
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
How Does Listeria Get into Food?
Because animals may carry it in their intestines without becoming sick, Listeria sometimes spreads to meat and dairy products. Although Listeria bacteria are killed through cooking and other heating methods used to produce ready-to-eat foods such as pasteurization, some ready-to-eat foods become contaminated after processing. This kind of contamination can take place in the processing plant or on the road from the processor to your plate.
Listeria outbreaks are most commonly associated with ready-to-eat meat foods, including hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, fermented or dry sausage, and other deli-style meat and poultry. Soft cheeses are another common source of Listeria outbreaks.
Listeria Symptoms and Death
Initial symptoms of listeriosis are usually flu-like. Because most people are resistant to the illness and contamination is relatively rare, listeriosis is uncommon. However, certain populations are much more susceptible to infection, and of the 1,000 to 2,500 people who are infected each year in the U.S, 25 percent die as a result of the infection.
More Listeria Information
For more Listeria information, please read the following:
- Listeria Attorney
- Listeria Lawyer: Winning Arguments
- Listeria Lawsuit
- Listeria Meningitis
- Hydrocephalus Listeriosis
- Listeria Sepsis
- Listeria Outbreaks
- Listeria Food Poisoning Prevention
- Listeria Symptoms
- Listeria Monocytogenes Risks
- Listeria Bacteria Diagnosis
- Listeria During Pregnancy
- Links to Listeria Information
Listeria Lawyers and Free Consultation
For a free consulation with a lawyer at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, you may call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, email Attorney Fred Pritzker, or submit our online consultation form.
Free Case Consultation
Food Poisoning 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.
Belgium, Wisconsin E. coli HUS Outbreak
Five children living on Grand Avenue in Belgium, Wisconsin, have been diagnosed with E. coli O157:H7. Health officials have not found the source of the E. coli-HUS outbreak. Our attorneys are available for a free consultation regarding legal representation and a private investigation of the outbreak.
Steak E. coli Outbreak
Our E. coli lawyers are investigating cases of E. coli O157 that have been linked to steak served at restaurants in California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Washington..
Fairbank Farms Beef Recall Lawsuit
Fairbank Farms ground beef products have been associated with E. coli cases in California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.
Petting Zoo Llama E. coli HUS
Our law firm has been retained to represent a 3-year-old child who contracted an E. coli infection after visiting an apple orchard/petting zoo in Minnesota. The child developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
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.
Recent Foodborne Outbreaks
- Daniele Salami Lawsuit: Daniele salami (salame) has been linked to a Salmonella Montevideo outbreak.
- Belgium, Wisconsin E. coli HUS Outbreak: Children on Grand Avenue in Belgium, WI have contracted E. coli and HUS.
- Steak E. coli Outbreak: Over 20 people were sickened by blade-tenderized, non-intact steak.
- Fairbank Farms Lawsuit: A multistate E. coli outbreak has been linked to Fairbank Farms hamburger.
- Beef Packers Lawsuit: Beef Packers ground beef has been associated with a Salmonella outbreak.
- Petting Zoo E. coli: A llama at a petting zoo has been associated with an E. coli outbreak in Minnesota.
- Shredded Lettuce Salmonella: An outbreak in Oregon has been linked to shredded lettuce.
- Nestle Lawsuit: Several people have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak associated with Nestle Toll House cookie dough.
- Toll House Cookie Dough Recall: Nestle has recalled refrigerated Toll House cookie dough.
- Toll House Lawsuit: Lawyer to fight for E. coli victim compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress.
- Alfalfa Sprout Salmonella Lawsuit and Lawyer: A multistate outbreak of Salmonella has been linked to alfalfa sprouts.
- Alfalfa Sprout Listeria Lawsuit and Lawyer: A multistate outbreak of listeriosis has been linked to alfalfa sprouts.
- Union International Food White Pepper Suit: A multistate outbreak of Salmonella has been linked to white pepper.
- Salmonella Pistachio Outbreak: A multistate outbreak has been linked to pistachios.
- Chipotle Lawsuit: Several people were sickened by Campylobacter.
- Western National Stock Show Denver E. coli: Attorney Fred Pritzker provides outbreak and compensation information.
- Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak: King Nut Peanut Butter has been genetically linked to this outbreak.
- Iowa E. coli: Raw apple cider may be associated with an Iowa E. coli outbreak.
- Aunt Mid's Lawsuit: People in Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak.
- Nebraska Beef Lawsuit: Nebraska Beef, Ltd. has recalled millions of pounds of beef products and has been linked to 2 outbreaks.
- E. coli - Cargill/Sam's Club Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef patty recall.
This is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The result of each case is determined by the specific facts and the applicable law.

