Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman have won money for families whose loved ones died of vibriosis after eating raw oysters served at restaurants. Eric Hageman and his team of Vibrio food poisoning lawyers are among a small number of attorneys in the U.S. who have successfully represented clients in these cases. If you developed a Vibrio infection from raw oysters and would like a free consultation with our award-winning team, you can reach us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. There is no obligation and we don’t get paid unless we win.
What is Vibriosis?
Vibriosis is a bacterial infection caused by ingesting shellfish that is contaminated with Vibrio, a waterborne bacteria. There are many species of Vibrio, which live in warm, coastal seawater, but the two most commonly associated with foodborne illness are Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus.
Vibrio vulnificus causes severe illness and is the leading cause of death related to seafood consumption in the U.S. About 20 percent of all Vibrio vulnificus infections are fatal. In cases where the infection migrates from the intestinal tract to the bloodstream, the fatality rate is around 65 percent. Whenever a foodborne illness results in a fatality, the family may have a wrongful death claim against a restaurant.
Although any shellfish can become contaminated with Vibrio, oysters are most commonly associated with these infections. Most of our cases are linked to raw oysters served at an oyster bar or restaurant. In most instances, there was no recall.
What are the Symptoms of Vibriosis?
Symptoms of vibriosis include diarrhea that is sometimes bloody, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills. These symptoms usually develop one to three days after eating the contaminated seafood and last about 72 hours. People with weakened immune systems, cancer, or liver disease are at elevated risk of developing severe infections.
Treatment of vibriosis typically includes antibiotics and supportive care. In severe cases, where a blood infection (septicemia) occurs, symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, decreased blood pressure (septic shock), and blistering skin lesions. These infections must be treated in a hospital setting.