A cluster of three cases of gastrointestinal Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection (vibriosis) in Eastern Missouri were identified June 27-28, 2012, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Vibriosis is generally associated with eating raw oysters, a menu item at some restaurants.
If a restaurant is associated with this outbreak in Missouri, the vibriosis victims may have a claim for money damages against the restaurant. Our food poisoning attorneys have successfully handled Vibrio food poisoning lawsuits against restaurants. Two of our recent cases have been Vibrio wrongful death lawsuits against restaurants.
We issued a press release regarding one of our vibriosis wrongful death settlements:
In July 2009, while vacationing in Florida, the client dined at an oyster bar and contracted a Vibrio vulnificus bacterial infection. He began suffering common food poisoning symptoms the following day, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The day after that, his condition worsened. He was hospitalized and put into a medically induced coma. It was just days before his wedding.
As the infection spread, his fiancé had no choice but to allow doctors to amputate both his legs in order to save his life. After several months of learning to live his life in a wheelchair and fighting the infection, the client died in December 2009.
The incubation period for Vibrio food poisoning is from 4 to 96 hours after eating contaminated food. In most cases, symptoms appear in about 24 hours. Vibriosis symptoms include the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and in some cases, signs of severe infection (septicemia), including fever and low blood pressure. People most at risk for serious complications that can lead to death are those with weakened immune systems, particularly those with liver disease, diabetes, and peptic ulcers.
The short incubation period and limited possible food sources (raw oysters or other raw shell fish) make it relatively easy to determine the source of a vibriosis outbreak. You can contact our law firm for a free consultation regarding a your legal rights and a lawsuit against a restaurant.