Pritzker Olsen Attorneys

Vermont E. coli
Lawyer and Lawsuit


Ground Beef E. coliVERMONT E. COLI: Our law firm is representing a number of people who were sickened by ground beef contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, including people who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). To contact our law firm regarding an E. coli lawsuit, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), email our lawyers or submit the online E. coli consultation form on this page.

Vermont E. coli Information

On October 10, 2008, the Vermont Department of Health warned consumers not to eat undercooked meat because it has identified 8 cases of E. coli O157:H7 in Vermont. The department later confirmed 2 additional cases and determined that the source of the outbreak was ground beef (hamburger) served at a few Vermont restaurants.

On October 16, 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a recall of about 2,758 pounds of ground beef thought to be involved in the Vermont outbreak. The ground beef was recalled by Vermont Livestock, Slaughter and Processing Co., LLC, a Ferrisburg, Vermont firm. Read more about the Vermont ground beef (hamburger) recall.

Even though the recalled ground beef was distributed to restaurants and institutions, not retailers, the Health Department is reminding Vermonters not to eat undercooked hamburger or ground beef products. Cook ground beef to at least 160ºF. Eating undercooked, pink ground beef is linked with a higher risk of illness. If a food thermometer is not available, do not eat ground beef that is still pink inside. Avoiding unpasteurized raw milk and milk products, and washing fruits and vegetables, are other practices that can help avoid serious foodborne diseases.

Although most E. coli strains are harmless, several are known to produce toxins that can cause diarrhea. The E. coli strain called O157:H7 can cause severe diarrhea, kidney damage, kidney failure (E. coli kidney failure) and death (usually from E. coli-HUS).

Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 usually start from 3-4 days after eating a contaminated food item, and may include stomach cramps and diarrhea. Some infected people experience only mild diarrhea and no other symptoms. Most people recover from E. coli bacterial illness without antibiotics or other specific treatment in five to 10 days, but more serious complications can develop.

Vermont Ground Beef E. coli Lawsuit: Liability

Liability in an E. coli lawsuit is generally "strict liability," meaning the E. coli victim only needs to prove that:

  1. That the food was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacterium
  2. That the contaminated food caused the E. coli infection and any illnesses related thereto, for example, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)

It is not necessary to prove that anyone intentionally or negligently contaminated the food.

Compensation in E. coli cases may include the following:

  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of income
  • Emotional Distress
  • Other Damages

When ground beef is the source of an E. coli outbreak, several parties may be pursued, including the slaughterhouse, the beef processor, any distributors, retailers (depending on the case), a restaurant where the ground beef was served and others. It is to the E. coli victims' advantage to have multiple parties potentially liable (legally responsible).

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Non-O157 E. coli (Non-O157 STEC)

Non-O157 E. coli can cause serious injury and death, and yet ground beef contaminated with these strains of E. coli are not considered adulterated under federal law. The six most common strains of non-O157 E. coli include E. coli O26, E. coli O45, E. coli O103, E. coli O111, E. coli O121 and E. coli O145.

 

 

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.

 

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