Five people who visited Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen, Illinois, have tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The Will County Health Department announced an investigation on October 23, 2026 to determine the source of the infections.
The farm voluntarily closed its petting zoo and is arranging animal testing while the investigation continues. People who experienced diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal symptoms after visiting the farm on or after September 29 are being asked to complete a confidential health department survey.
If you or someone in your family developed an E. coli infection after visiting Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm, contact Pritzker Hageman’s E. coli lawyers to discuss your legal options. Call 1-888-377-8900 or text 612-261-0856 for a free consultation.
Do You Need an E. coli Lawyer?
What We Know About the Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm E. coli Investigation
- Patient ages: The five patients range in age from 4 to 38, according to ABC7 Chicago.
- Hospitalizations: Four patients were hospitalized, and three had been discharged as of October 23, according to the Chicago Tribune, citing the Will County Health Department.
- Petting zoo closure: Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm voluntarily closed its petting zoo as a precaution. The farm says its other attractions remain open.
- Animal testing: The farm is arranging animal testing as part of the investigation.
- Visitor health survey: The health department is asking anyone who experienced gastrointestinal symptoms after visiting Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm on or after September 29, 2026, to complete its confidential illness survey.
What Should You Do if You Became Sick After Visiting Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm?
If you or a family member developed an E. coli infection after visiting Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm, take these steps to document your illness and protect your legal rights:
- Seek medical attention. If you develop symptoms of an E. coli infection, contact a healthcare provider and mention your visit to the farm. Medical evaluation and laboratory testing can help identify the infection and document your illness.
- Report your illness. The Will County Health Department is asking people who experienced gastrointestinal illness after visiting the farm on or after September 29, 2026, to complete its confidential illness survey. You can submit a report even without a confirmed E. coli diagnosis.
- Preserve important records. Keep admission tickets, receipts, photographs, medical records, laboratory test results, and documentation of medical expenses or missed work. These records can provide valuable evidence in an E. coli investigation.
- Contact an E. coli attorney. Pritzker Hageman has experience investigating E. coli outbreaks involving petting zoos and animal attractions. Our attorneys can investigate whether your illness is connected to the outbreak, evaluate the evidence supporting an E. coli claim, and explain your options for seeking compensation.
What Are the Symptoms of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli?
A Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea. In some cases, symptoms can be more severe and include bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms include vomiting and a low fever, although some people have no fever.
Symptoms typically begin three to four days after exposure, although the incubation period for E. coli can range from one to ten days.
What Is Shiga Toxin?
Shiga toxin is a harmful substance produced by certain strains of E. coli bacteria. It can damage cells in the intestines and blood vessels, particularly those in the kidneys. E. coli bacteria that produce this toxin are called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
Shiga toxin is responsible for some of the most serious complications associated with E. coli infections, including bloody diarrhea and kidney damage.
What Is Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)?
One serious complication of STEC infection is hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which damages red blood cells and the kidneys. In severe cases, HUS can cause kidney failure and lasting health problems. Children younger than five are at increased risk, although HUS can affect people of any age.
The symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome following an E. coli infection can include decreased urination, unusual fatigue, pale skin, unexplained bruising, and reduced alertness. HUS is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
How Does E. coli Spread at Pumpkin Farms and Petting Zoos?
People can contract E. coli infections at pumpkin farms and petting zoos through contact with infected animals or contaminated surfaces. Cattle, goats, sheep, and other farm animals can carry Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria without appearing sick. The bacteria are shed in animal feces (manure) and can contaminate the surrounding environment.
Visitors do not need to touch an animal to become infected. E. coli bacteria can spread through:
- Direct animal contact: Petting or feeding animals that carry E. coli bacteria on their hides or fur.
- Contaminated surfaces: Touching fences, gates, railings, bedding, or other objects contaminated with animal feces.
- Contaminated soil and equipment: Picking up bacteria from the ground, shoes, strollers, or objects that have been in animal areas.
- Hand-to-mouth contact: Eating, drinking, or touching the mouth before washing hands after visiting animal exhibits.
- Contaminated food or water: Consuming food or water exposed to E. coli bacteria.
Young children face particular risks because they frequently touch surfaces and put their hands or objects in their mouths. Washing hands with soap and running water after visiting animal areas is one of the most important ways to prevent infection.
The CDC recommends that operators of petting zoos and other animal attractions provide accessible handwashing stations, separate animal areas from places where visitors eat, and educate guests about the risks of animal contact.
When E. coli Infections at Pumpkin Farms Cause Serious Illness
E. coli infections associated with pumpkin farms and petting zoos can have devastating consequences, particularly for young children. Some infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication that can cause kidney failure and permanent kidney damage.
Pritzker Hageman previously represented a child who developed HUS after contracting E. coli O157 in an outbreak linked to cows at a Minnesota pumpkin farm. Our attorneys investigated the conditions at the farm, including manure-contaminated animal areas and the lack of handwashing stations and other safety precautions. The case resulted in a $7.5 million verdict.
How Can Our Lawyers Help You?
1-888-377-8900 (Toll-Free) | [email protected]
Contact Pritzker Hageman About the Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm E. coli Outbreak
If you or a family member developed a serious E. coli infection after visiting Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm, contact Pritzker Hageman to discuss your legal options. You do not need to wait for the health department to complete its investigation to speak with an attorney.
Our E. coli lawyers have represented people and families affected by serious E. coli infections, including cases involving petting zoos and animal attractions. We can investigate the circumstances of your illness, review the available medical and public health evidence, and determine whether you have a claim for compensation.
Call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Homer Bengtson’s Pumpkin E. coli Investigation
The Will County Health Department announced five laboratory-confirmed Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections on October 23, 2026. All five patients had visited Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen, Illinois. Health officials are investigating the source of the infections.
No. Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm voluntarily closed its petting zoo as a precaution during the E. coli investigation. According to the farm’s October 23 statement, its other attractions remain open.
The Will County Health Department asks anyone who experienced diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal symptoms after visiting Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm on or after September 29, 2026, to complete its confidential illness survey. A confirmed E. coli diagnosis is not required to report an illness.
Contact a healthcare provider and mention your child’s visit to the farm. Seek immediate medical attention for bloody diarrhea, dehydration, decreased urination, or unusual fatigue. These can be signs of a serious E. coli infection or hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication that can damage the kidneys.
Yes. E. coli bacteria can spread through contaminated soil, fences, railings, and other surfaces in animal areas. Infections can also occur through contaminated food or water. Direct contact with animals is not necessary.
Symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli typically develop three to four days after exposure but can appear anywhere from one to ten days later.
You may have an E. coli claim if evidence connects your infection to an exposure for which someone is legally responsible.
No. You can contact an E. coli attorney while the public health investigation is ongoing.
The statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing an E. coli lawsuit. Deadlines vary by state, and different rules may apply to children.
We have obtained 100+ separate verdicts and settlements greater than $1 million:
Our client suffered substantial injuries after ingesting a defective product.
We obtained this settlement on behalf of a family whose children were sickened with E. coli.
We obtained a $12.15 million settlement on behalf of an 8-year old girl who was sickened in an E. coli outbreak.
We represented seven children who suffered intestinal injuries as a result of a defective food product.
We obtained this settlement on behalf of a 13-year old girl who was sickened with E. coli.
We won this verdict for a child with kidney damage from E. coli in contaminated food.
Our attorneys won this landmark verdict in a case against Foster Poultry Farms. Our client was a 5-year-old child who contracted Salmonella Heidelberg and, as a result, suffered brain damage.
We obtained a settlement from a company that sold contaminated food to our clients, causing the death of unborn children.
Our client suffered severe neurologic injuries as a result of Listeria monocytogenes, a food-borne pathogen.
On behalf of a client who was seriously sicked by food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
See more settlements & verdicts.
The Pritzker Hageman law firm and our attorneys have been recognized in:
U.S. News & World Report
Pritzker Hageman has been recognized as one of the best law firms for personal injury litigation by U.S. News & World Report every year the award has been given since 2012.
Super Lawyers®, Thomson Reuters
Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman have been awarded the peer selected Super Lawyers distinction every year since 2004.
America’s Top 100 Attorneys®
Lifetime Achievement selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys®.
Three Time Attorneys of the Year
Pritzker Hageman lawyers have been named Attorneys Of The Year by Minnesota Lawyer three times.