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Pritzker Olsen Attorneys
Letter from Rainer Mueller of Eric's ECHO
Below is a letter from Rainer Mueller, founder of Eric's ECHO, an organization dedicated to helping victims of E. coli poisoning. Mr. Rainer founded the organization after his 13-year-old son died from E. coli poisoning after eating a contaminated hamburger in 1993. We asked if he would provide us with some insight on the current E. coli outbreak that has sickened over 170 people and killed at least one person. We encourage everyone to visit the organization's website, www.ericsecho.org.
Letter from Rainer Mueller dated September 25, 2006:
As our family approaches the 13th anniversary of the death of my my 13 year old son Eric in 1993, I find that the wounds caused by his passing are now being re-opened by this latest E.coli outbreak.
In 1993 it was ground beef that caused the terrible illnesses and death. At that time many people told me that they felt safe because they were vegetarians and only ate organic vegetables. Even then I warned them that this was a false sense of security. In the past 13 years the incidence of ground beef problems with pathogenic E.coli has decreased, but this has been offset by the rise in outbreaks caused by vegetables and fruits.
Why? Usually because cattle are still the predominate harbor of pathogenic E.coli -- in their intestinal tract. When these infected animals, which show no signs of distess or sickness, defecate, this fecal matter can enter our agricultural water supplies through run-off. Then somewhere downstream this water is used to irrigate vegetables. The cycle is complete.
E.coli cells can survive up to six weeks in completely dry material - like cattle manure, which is often used as an organic fertilizer. Just four pathogenic E.coli cells are enough to cause complications in humans because they redouble their numbers every 20 minutes - in less than 8 hours those four cells can become well over one million cells, and one billion of these cells can dance on the head of a pin.
What is the answer? We still haven't found a cure for pathogenic E.coli, there's no magic pill we can give cattle to eliminate this most lethal of almost all toxins known to mankind. But there is something that can be done today - irradiation. Better ground beef, most spices and many imported fruits are already safely irradiated.
Irradiation is a extremely effective and low cost method of killing not only pathogenic E.coli, as well as a myriad of foodborne illnesses. I recognize that irradiation is not a panacea, but until we can develop a more effective system, it is imperative that we use all the tools available to us to protect those most susceptible to death and injury from pathogenic E.coli -- our children.
Rainer Mueller
Eric's ECHO
www.ericsecho.org
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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.
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