Shigella Complications

A Shigella infection (shigellosis) can be sever and cause life-long illness or death. Compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, loss of income, cost of care and other damages can be significant. Because of the complexity of a Shigella lawsuit, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible after a Shigella diagnosis. Our law firm is nationally-recognized in this area. To contact a lawyer at our law firm for a free consultation, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), email attorney Fred Pritzker or submit our online, Shigella-case-review form.

Below are some of the complications of a Shigella infection. Because Shigella can lead to damage throughout the body, this list is not exhaustive.

Coma. The toxins associated with a Shigella infection, Shiga toxins, can work to compromise the blood-brain barrier, resulting in a situation where the brain can be “poisoned” by the toxins. This can result in damage to the central nervous system and lethargy, disorientation, seizures, stroke, paralysis and/or coma.
Dehydration. Because Shigella caused severe diarrhea, the primary complication of Shigella is dehydration. Severe dehydration can cause shock and death. The high-risk groups for severe dehydration are children under 2 and adults that are chronically ill; however, everyone with a Shigella infection is at risk and can die without prompt treatment.
Encephalopathy. Shigella infections can lead to brain injury. Encephalopathy is a general medical term that refers to a disease of the brain. Encephalopathy caused by a Shigella infection is sometimes referred to as Shigella encephalopathy and can lead to seizures, coma and death.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome. Shigella infections (shigellosis) can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to hemolytic anemia (a low red blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count) and acute kidney failure (renal failure).
Hypoglycemia. Shigella infections can cause metabolic disturbances in the body (disturbances of the body’s chemical processes). One such instance of this is hypoglycemia, a lower-than-normal level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Hypoglycemia can cause seizures and, if not treated, death.
Hyponatremia. Another instance of Shigella-associated metabolic disturbance is hyponatremia, a disturbance of the salt in the blood that can lead to dangerously-low concentration of sodium in the plasma. Severe hyponatremia can result in cerebral edema (swelling of the brain). One symptom of hyponatremia in people with Shigella infections is seizures.
Intestinal perforation. Shigella-related intestinal perforation is rare in the developed countries and generally only happens to malnourished children under the age of two.
Peritonitis. If a Shigella infection causes toxic megacolon (paralyzed colon) and it is untreated, the colon may rupture, causing peritonitis.
Pneumonia. Shigella infections, like many other infections, can lead to pneumonia, an inflammation of the lung that causes the lung to fill with fluid. Shigella-associated pneumonia is rare and often fatal.
Proctitis. Shigella can cause proctitus, inflammation of the lining of the rectum.
Rectal prolapse. The strain put on the body during difficult bowel movements may result in rectal prolapse, the rectal mucous membrane or lining moving down or through the rectum.
Reiter’s syndrome. In rare cases a person may develop Reiter’s syndrome (also referred to as Reiter syndrome), a form of reactive arthritis that can cause joint pain and inflammation.
Seizure: When someone with a Shigella infection runs a high fever, there is a risk of seizures. Metabolic disturbances (disturbance of the body’s chemical processes), including hyponatremia, hypocalcemia and hypoglycemia, also may contribute to seizure activity in people with Shigella infections. Shigella seizures are generally brief but can last over 5 minutes. Seizures may be accompanied by vomiting, problems with sleeping and/or extreme sleepiness. Always contact a doctor immediately if someone under your care has a seizure.
Septicemia (sepsis). Septicemia is referred to as blood poisoning, inflammation of the whole body via microbes in the blood. It can lead to organ dysfunction (including multiple organ dysfunction syndrome), septic shock and death.
Shock. Severe dehydration can lead to shock and death. Anyone is at risk, but children under 2 and chronically ill adults are particularly susceptible.
Stroke. The toxins associated with a Shigella infection, Shiga toxins, can work to compromise the blood-brain barrier, resulting in a situation where the brain can be “poisoned” by the toxins. This can result in damage to the central nervous system and lethargy, disorientation, seizures, stroke, paralysis and/or coma.

We are the law firm of Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A., one of the few law firms in the United States that has successfully represented victims of Shigella outbreaks. We have a national reputation, and lawyers at the firm have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Lawyers USA and other publications. In recognigion of their accomplishments, Pritzker | Ruohonen attorneys Fred Pritzker, Rich Ruohonen and Elliot Olsen have been named "Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics magazine. If you or your child has been diagnosed with Shigella, you may contact Pritzker | Ruohonen at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), email our lawyers, or submit the firm's online consultation form for review by a lawyer at the firm. We have experience with cases involving hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of a Shigella infection.

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Foodborne Outbreaks

Iowa E. coli: Raw apple cider may be associated with an Iowa E. coli outbreak.
University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) E. coli: At least 8 people have been sickened, 7 of them students.
Michigan E. coli Lettuce: A Michigan E. coli outbreak has been associated with bagged iceberg lettuce distributed by Aunt Mid's Produce Company.
Aunt Mid's Lawsuit: People in Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak.
University of Michigan and MSU E. coli Lawsuit: 7 students at Michigan State University and 3 students at the University of Michigan have contracted E. coli infections.
Hendricks Farm Campylobacter outbreak associated with Hendricks Farm & Dairy in Telford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Oklahoma E. coli: An Oklahoma E. coli outbreak may be linked to a Locust Grove restaurant.
Nebraska Beef Lawsuit: Nebraska Beef, Ltd. has recalled millions of pounds of beef products and has been linked to 2 outbreaks.
Massachusettes E. coli: A Massachusettes E. coli outbreak has been linked to Nebraska Beef products and Coleman Meat products.
Whole Foods Market Lawsuit: The Whole Foods Market E. coli outbreak is part of the Massachusettes E. coli outbreak above.
Virginia E. coli - Goshen Scout Reservation: Dozens of scouts were sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to beef.
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