Georgia E. coli Outbreak

Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreak Sickened 5 in Georgia; Lawyers Filed Lawsuits

Romaine Lettuce E coli Outbreak

Lawyers filed lawsuits against restaurants in a 2018 E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce that has sickened people in 36 states, including Georgia, where 5 people were sickened, according to the CDC. Many of the people sickened in this outbreak reported eating romaine lettuce at restaurants, including Panera Bread, Red Lobster, Papa Murphy’s and Texas Road House.

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PFGE Testing
a microbiologist in the Centers for Disease Control’s Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch (MSPB), in the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), does genetic testing.

Evidence that can be used in an E. coli lawsuit has been found that links the outbreak illnesses to romaine lettuce. The evidence includes interviews with 166 of the 210 people sickened, with 145 of the 166 saying they ate romaine lettuce in the days before getting sick. Many of these people also reported eating the romaine lettuce at a restaurant. The evidence also includes genetic testing of E. coli bacteria found in outbreak victims’ stool samples and in water and other environmental samples gathered at lettuce growing areas in Yuma, Arizona.

E. coli Outbreak Linked to Barbecue Restaurant in Georgia

In 2008 there was an E. coli outbreak linked to a restaurant in Georgia and its beef supplier. The Georgia Public Health District confirmed eight cases in this outbreak. Four of those patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness that is often associated with E. coli infections. It can be harder to diagnose E. coli in HUS patients.

The Southwest Georgia Public Health District investigation linked a barbecue restaurant in Moultrie, Georgia (Colquitt County) to this outbreak. Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant stated that if the fourth patient who has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) ate food prepared by the barbecue restaurant before falling ill, ” then all the presumed cases of E. coli as well as all the confirmed cases will have been linked to the restaurant.”

Nebraska Beef, Ltd., a supplier of ground beef components, was also linked to this outbreak. When a restaurant and supplier are linked to an outbreak, they may be liable and sued for any of the following if the facts of the case support a personal injury claim:

  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of income
  • Other damages.

Also in 2008, Nebraska Beef recalled over 5 million pounds of ground beef components because they may be contaminated with E. coli. Contact our law firm at 1-888-377-8900 about an E. coli lawsuit.