E. coli Outbreak Law Firm

If you have been sickened by E. coli, contact our legal team online or by phone at 1-888-377-8900 or by text at 612-261-0856.

Pritzker Hageman E. coli lawyers have won some of the largest verdicts on record for people sickened by E. coli

A few examples of the many clients we have successfully represented…

$7.5 Million for A Child with E. coli and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

An E. coli outbreak happens when two or more people are sickened by the same food or after visiting the same location, most often a restaurant. Our law firm is one of the few in the United States that has won multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for people sickened in these outbreaks. Our law firm recently won $7.5 million for a little girl who contracted an E. coli infection during an outbreak and lost kidney function. Her life will never be the same, but the money our law firm won for her has given her and her parents some peace of mind.

$4.5 Million Settlement for Woman Who Ate Contaminated Meat

Our client, a young woman, eats out at a nice restaurant to celebrate her good grades during her first year of college. It is a chain restaurant with a good reputation. A few days later she gets extremely runny diarrhea that is also bloody. She experiences severe abdominal pain unlike any she has ever had in her life. These are symptoms of the E. coli infection she had contracted from eating contaminated meat at the restaurant. A few days later her urine output is almost nonexistent. She has hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication of the infection that causes kidney failure, and hers have failed. She almost dies.

Her family found our law firm while searching for answers on the internet while she struggled to survive. At the time, they did not know that the restaurant food had made their daughter sick. Attorney Eric Hageman and his team took the case and found evidence pinpointing meat served at the restaurant as the source of our client’s infection. They sued the meat processor, supplier and restaurant for the pain, suffering, and financial loss endured by our client.

What is E. coli Poisoning?

E. coli poisoning is a severe gastrointestinal illness caused by food, water, or animal feces that have been contaminated with this bacteria. Shiga toxins created by these bacteria cause the illness. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) bacteria are incredibly tiny, about .000078740157 inches long. End to end, 10,000 cells could fit on the head of a pin, and it only takes 10 of them to make someone severely ill.

These bacteria travel to the large intestine (colon), multiply, and produce enough Shiga toxins to cause an inflammatory disease called hemorrhagic colitis. This is what causes the characteristic bloody diarrhea that is extremely dangerous. We have represented clients who have needed a colectomy, which is surgery that removes part of the colon, because of severe colitis.

In some cases, Shiga toxins enter the blood stream and are transported to the kidneys, causing hemolytic uremic syndrome and/or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). HUS and TTP are complications that cause kidney failure, brain damage, damage to other organs, and wrongful death. We have represented clients who have developed these complications, and families with wrongful death claims.

One bite of contaminated food can kill someone. Companies that sell that contaminated food need to be held accountable. Because CEOs and other executives are almost never charged criminally for selling tainted food, filing a lawsuit is often the only way for those sickened to get justice.

If you or a family member has been sickened with food poisoning, you can speak with an E. coli lawyer for free about your claim by calling our law firm at 1-888-377-8900. We are one of the few law firms in the U.S. that regularly represent people diagnosed with HUS.

Symptoms of E. coli

A person who swallows E. coli O157:H7 does not get sick right away. In fact, it can take up to 10 days (but usually about 3 to 4 days) for the person to experience symptoms. This time frame is called the incubation period.

First, tiny bits of tainted food or water are ingested. The food leaves the stomach, goes through the duodenum and small intestine and then, in the large intestine (called the colon), the bacteria cells in the food attach themselves to the wall of the colon and multiply. These cells make deadly Shiga toxins.

Symptoms can include:

• painful abdominal cramping;
• bloody diarrhea;
• fever (not always);
• vomiting (again, not always).

At the beginning, patients often experience just very painful abdominal cramping. Then the watery diarrhea begins, which generally lasts for about a day before it becomes very bloody, even bright red in some cases. This is an indication that toxins produced by the E. coli bacteria are eating away at the lining of the colon. This condition is called hemorrhagic colitis.

In most cases, the bloody diarrhea lasts for two to five days, with 10 or more bowel movements a day. The stools may appear to be more blood than stool.

When children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems get this infection, the toxins can be particularly damaging. Those patients are at higher risk for severe complications like HUS kidney failure, severe dehydration, and colitis that is so bad that part of the colon needs to be removed.

There are usually more E. coli cases in the summer months, but this is changing since more produce is being imported from tropical climates in the cooler months.

Diagnostic Testing Important if You Want to Sue for Compensation

If you have bloody stools, abdominal cramps, and other symptoms, you need to contact your doctor immediately.  You need to make sure that your doctor gets a stool sample and has it tested specifically for E. coli O157:H7.  This involves three steps:

1. Test for the presence of the bacteria;
2. Test to see if it is O157 or another serotype;
3. Conduct whole genome sequencing (WGS) testing to determine the genetic fingerprint of the bacteria that made you sick.

You need to make your doctor aware of the need for this three-level testing. Our law firm can help you sue a restaurant, grocery store, food company, or other business for compensation.

Health Safety Alert

Our law firm is warning E. coli outbreak victims that, according to the CDC, antibiotics should not be prescribed for anyone with an E. coli infection. Patients given antibiotics for this infection are at greater risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication that causes renal failure, and the leading cause of deaths in E. coli outbreaks.

Read about Antibiotics and E. coli Treatment

E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Causes Kidney Failure in 9 Children

Our law firm filed a lawsuit against The SoyNut Butter Company for a child whose kidneys failed after eating an I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter product at a daycare. The child is one of 32 people sickened in an outbreak of E. coli. Nine children sickened in the outbreak developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which causes kidney failure.

“This company specifically marketed this product to parents of young children, daycare centers and preschools. We are hoping this lawsuit sends a message to this and other food companies that the safety of these little ones should have been the top priority.”

If your child has been diagnosed with E. coli poisoning, contact our law firm for a free consultation.

Our Law Firm Won a $7.55 Million Verdict for Little Girl With E. coli-HUS

Our law firm recently obtained a trial verdict of $7.55 million for a little girl who was sickened in an earlier outbreak. She developed kidney failure, was on dialysis for weeks, and now had permanent loss of 50% of her kidney function. She may need a kidney transplantation in her early twenties.

This is believed to be the largest E. coli poisoning verdict in U.S. history.*

Contact our law firm right away for a free consultation about your foodborne illness case. Our lawyers have won hundreds of millions of dollars for people just like you who were harmed by unsafe and dangerous food products. Read more about our recent $7.55 million verdict for a child who contracted E. coli and suffered kidney failure.

Yes, I want a free consultation with a lawyer.

“Young children have a greater risk of developing fatal complications from E. coli poisoning. The Pritzker Hageman team of E. coli attorneys help families get answers, compensation and justice.”

PRITZKER HAGEMAN FOUNDING ATTORNEY FRED PRITZKER

E. coli Outbreaks and Lawsuits

November 2024 Outbreak LInked To Whole and Baby Cut Organic Carrots Sold at MAjor Grocery Stores across the United States

On November 16, Grimmway Farms issued a recall of select organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots sold under a variety of brand names. The carrot E. coli recall linked to a deadly outbreak includes Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Albertsons, and more.

November 2024 Minnesota Outbreak Linked to Burgers sold at Henhouse Eatery and Red Cow Restaurants

An E. coli outbreak linked to ground beef distributed by Wolverine Packing Company to Red Cow, Henhouse and other Restaurants has sickened people in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Rochester, MN.

St. Louis, MO, 2024 Rockwood Summit High School E. coli Outbreak

An outbreak stemming from two off-campus events has led to at least 70 students and parents becoming sick with E. coli. Multiple effected people have been hospitalized. While a product had not been identified as of November 16th, health department officials are looking at a catering company that catered both events.

October 2024 Outbreak Linked to McDonalds Quarter Pounders

A fatal E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers includes at least 49 illnesses and one death. Ten people have been hospitalized, one of them with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of E. coli infections that causes kidney failure. Which specific ingredient is responsible is still under investigation, but onions are suspected.

2024 Outbreak Linked to Ground Beef used at Flathead, Montana Restaurants

Waygu ground beef sold to multiple restaurants in Flathead County, Montana is the source of a deadly E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that includes at least 14 illnesses and one death.

Vegan Frozen Falafel Sold at Aldi Linked to E. coli Cases in Six States

Earth Grown – Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic & Herb Falafel sold in Aldi stores across the United States has been recalled for possible contamination with Shiga toxin producing E. coli.

Affected products may have been on the shelf since June 24th, 2021 and consumers should check their freezers and dispose of any product with the affected lot codes: 1472, 1481, 1531, 1532, 1541, 1552, 1561, 1581, 1601, 1611, 1612, 1661, 1682, 1732, 1752, 1762, 1782, 1802, and 1812. Twenty cases in six states (FL, IA, KS, MI, OH and WI) have been linked to this outbreak so far, including at least five where people have ended up in the hospital.

Contaminated Ground Beef in HelloFresh Meal Kits

The USDA has issued a health alert for some HelloFresh meal kits shipped to subscribers between July 2-21, 2022. Ground beef in these kits may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, which can cause severe disease or death. Consumers who have these meal kits should not consume them and should dispose of them immediately. An outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 is likely linked to these contaminated Hello Fresh meal kits.

The affected kits contain 10-oz. plastic vacuum-packed packages of “GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN/15% FAT” with codes “EST#46481 L1 22 155” or “EST#46481 L5 22 155” on the side of the packaging. The ground beef packages inside the meal kit bear “EST.46841” inside the USDA mark of inspection and on the plastic ground beef package.

Romaine Lettuce Served on Wendy’s Hamburgers Linked To an Outbreak Involving People in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Indiana

On August 19, 2022 the CDC announced that an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak affecting Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Indiana was likely linked to romaine lettuce served on Wendy’s hamburgers and other Wendy’s sandwiches. At this time it is not believed that Wendy’s salads are involved. Our food safety legal team is already investigating this outbreak on behalf of clients. If you were sickened in this outbreak, protect you legal rights: Contact us today.

Torero’s Mexican Restaurant in Renton, Washington linked to E. coli O26 STEC outbreak

A 2022 E. coli O26 outbreak was linked to Torero’s Mexican Restaurant in Renton, WA.  At least three people were sickened with STEC. According to the King County health department, symptoms included, “…diarrhea (often bloody), abdominal cramping, nausea, and vomiting.”  Public health investigators, “…identified inadequate handwashing facilities and improper storage of raw meats as potential risk factors for this outbreak.”

Wood County, Ohio Outbreak

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and the Wood County Health Department began investigating a outbreak involving at least 15 people. On August 11th, 2022. An ODH spokesperson stated that, “This number we expect will grow”. Of the 15 people identified, five have been hospitalized, with ages ranging from 21 to 60. If you were sickened in this outbreak, you can contact our E. coli legal team to find out about your legal rights. On August 17th, the CDC reported that this Ohio outbreak and a genetically related outbreak in Michigan are likely part of one large multi-state E. coli outbreak. On August 19th, the CDC announced that this outbreak is part of a four state outbreak they believe is linked to romaine lettuce served on Wendy’s hamburgers.

Ottawa County, Michigan Outbreak

A Shiga Toxin Producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak in Ottawa County MI now includes at least 12 people, with five hospitalized. At least two children have “serious kidney complications,” which likely indicates symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). On August 17th, the CDC reported that this Michigan outbreak and a genetically related outbreak in Ohio are likely part of one large multi-state E. coli outbreak. On August 19th, the CDC announced that this outbreak is part of a four state outbreak they believe is linked to romaine lettuce served on Wendy’s hamburgers.

Two New E. coli Outbreaks Announced October 28, 2020 – Likely Ties to Leafy Greens, Probably Romaine Lettuce

The CDC and FDA have identified two simultaneous outbreaks of Shiga toxin producing E. coli O157:H7. One is genetically linked to the 2019 Salinas romaine outbreaks and one is genetically linked to the 2018 Yuma romaine leafy greens outbreak. 44 people have been sickened and one has died.

Multiple E. coli Outbreaks Tied to Romaine Lettuce Grown in the Salinas Region

Romain contaminated with shiga toxin producing E. coli has been implicated in three outbreaks in 2019 and tied to a single grower in the Salinas California region.  The three outbreaks have been caused by different strains of the same type of O157:H7 E coli.  Our E. coli lawyers are representing multiple victims in these outbreaks.

Williams Brothers Ham Products Possible Source of E. coli Outbreak

Williams Brothers Meat Market in Washington, Missouri, recalled 125 pounds of cured or smoked ready-to-eat ham packaged between May 25 and June 1, 2018. The company issued the recall after E. coli was found in one 16-pound, bone-in ham, according to news reports. The company told the media that all other products were tested and that they did not test positive for E. coli. The Franklin County Health Department is investigating cases of E. coli that may be linked to a Williams Brothers ham product. One person was sickened in June, and others in August. Health officials are not sure if these illnesses are related. All other products were tested and no others were found to be contaminated, he said.

Meijer, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Target Ground Beef E. coli Recall

An E. coli outbreak that sickened 18 people prompted a recall of ground beef processed by Cargill in September of 2018. Before the recall, the Cargill beef was sold at Meijer, Safeway and Sam’s Club stores nationwide, at Target stores in five states and Publix stores in Florida. Six people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). One person in Florida died.

Cargill Ground Beef E. coli O26 Outbreak

The FDA and CDC have determined that Cargill ground beef is the likely source of an E. coli O26 outbreak that has sickened at least 18 people in four states. A person from Florida died. Cargill Meat Solutions of  Fort Morgan, Colo. recalled over 130,000 pounds of “ground beef products made from the chuck portion of a beef carcass that may be contaminated with E. coli O26.”  These products have the establishment number “EST. 86R” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The recall was issued in September of 2018.

Publix Ground Chuck Linked to E. coli O26 Infections and HUS

Ground chuck sold at Florida Publix stores is the likely source of an E. coli O26 outbreak. The suspect meat was sold at various Publix stores in Florida between June 25 and July 31, 2018.

E. coli Associated with Eating at Cafe Mario at Nintendo of America

A Shiga toxin-producing E. coli outbreak has been associated with eating at Sodexo’s Café Mario or I Love Sushi, located at the Nintendo of America campus in Redmond, Washington. Café Mario is operated by Sodexo and is not open to the public. I Love Sushi operates out of Café Mario once a week. There are three laboratory-confirmed cases of E. coli and one suspected case. The people sickened ate food from Café Mario on multiple days during June 18–22, 2018; one ill person also ate at I Love Sushi on June 19 and June 26, 2018.

Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreak, Law Firm Representing Sickened People

Our law firm is representing people sickened in the E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce that has sickened over 190 people in 35 states.  To date, 89 people have been hospitalized, including 26 people who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. Five people from the following states have died: Arkansas (1), California (1), Minnesota (2), and New York (1).

The states involved in this outbreak including the following, according to the CDC:

Alaska (8), Arkansas (1), Arizona (9), California (45), Colorado (3), Connecticut (2), Florida (1), Georgia (5), Idaho (11), Illinois (2), Iowa (1), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (4), Michigan (5), Minnesota (12), Mississippi (1), Missouri (1), Montana (9), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (8), New York (10), North Carolina (1), North Dakota (3), Ohio (7), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (24), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (3), Texas (3), Utah (1), Virginia (1), Washington (7) and Wisconsin (3).

Damsy Restaurant Lawsuit

Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman filed a The lawsuit against the Damsy Restaurant, located at 405 1^st Avenue SW, Rochester, Minnesota, on November 16, 2017.  Our young client, under the age of two, was severely sickened, and her parent lost wages due to time taken off of work. The suit seeks compensation for both the child and parent.

200 Sickened at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego and Camp Pendleton

Our E. coli lawyers are investigating an E. coli outbreak at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego and Camp Pendleton. Over 200 recruits were sickened in October 2017. Testing is being done to determine the source of the illnesses.

I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter Lawsuit

On April 21, 2017, our law firm is representing the family of a child sickened in the E. coli outbreak linked to I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter products. The child, only a toddler, was hospitalized after his kidneys began to fail. He had to undergo dialysis and may have permanent damage. He is one of 32 people, mostly very young children, who were sickened in this outbreak. Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman filed a lawsuit in Illinois on our young client’s behalf.

Lawyers File Suit against Chicken and Rice Guys

Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman filed an E. coli lawsuit against Chicken and Rice Guys on behalf of a man who ate a “Rice Plate” from The Chicken and Rice Guys restaurant in Allston, MA, in March of 2017 and contracted an E. coli infection. He is one of 10 people sickened in the outbreak. They filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts.

Alfalfa Sprouts E. coli Outbreak

An E. coli O157:NM outbreak that sickened 7 people in Minnesota and 2 in Wisconsin was associated with alfalfa sprouts produced by Jack & The Green Sprouts, a River Falls, Wisconsin company, according to the CDC. The dates of onset of illness range from January 17, 2016 through February 8, 2016. Four of the people sickened were residents of the Twin Cities metro area, and three live in greater Minnesota.

Chipotle Restaurants

Two O26 outbreaks associated with Chipotle occurred in 2015, according to the CDC. The first one sickened at least 53 people in 9 states: California (3), Illinois (1), Maryland (1), Minnesota (2), New York (1), Ohio (3), Oregon (13), Pennsylvania (2), and Washington (27). Illness onset dates for this outbreak range from October 19, 2015 to November 14, 2015. The second outbreak sickened 5 people in Kansas (1), North Dakota (1), and Oklahoma (3). Illnesses onset dates were from November 18, 2015 to November 26, 2015.

Costco and Taylor Farms

An outbreak was associated with eating rotisserie chicken salad made and sold in Costco Wholesale stores in several states, according to the CDC. The chicken was supplied by Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. The number of ill people reported from each state was as follows: California (1), Colorado (4), Missouri (1), Montana (6), Utah (5), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). Illness onset dates ranged from October 6, 2015 to November 3, 2015.

Additional Information

1. What is E. coli O157:H7 ? – Information regarding the history and technical designation of this pathogen.
2. E. coli Lawsuit: 5 Reasons to Sue – Filing a lawsuit against the company responsible for the personal injury or wrongful death is often the only way to determine how the food that caused the illness got contaminated. This is important both legally and for public safety reasons.
3. Wrongful Death – A wrongful death claim both compensates the family and holds wrongdoers responsible.
4. HUS – Hemolytic uremic syndrome can cause kidney failure, heart failure, pancreatitis, brain damage, and wrongful death.
5. Kidney Failure.
6. TTP – Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura causes renal failure and central nervous system (CNS) damage.
7. Child – Our lawyers help children.
8. Colectomy – Our attorneys represent outbreak victims who need a colectomy.
9. Shiga Toxin – The danger lies in the production of toxins called Shiga toxins.
10. E. coli O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145 Outbreaks – The six most common strains of non-O157 include O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145.
11. Petting Zoo – Although most of our cases involve contaminated food, our attorneys have won cases where a petting zoo was associated with the illnesses.
12. Contaminated Water – People sickened by contaminated water can also sue for compensation. In a recent outbreak, water served at a restaurant was linked to the illnesses. Dozens of people were sickened.
13. Sue a Restaurant – If a restaurant is linked to your illness, you have the legal right to sue for compensation.
14. Minnesota E. coli Lawyer – Our E. coli lawyers are based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and we represent people throughout the United States.

*Based on a thorough review of the jury verdicts available through Westlaw’s database as of November 29, 2016,  there are no larger reported jury verdicts for petting zoo cases. In fact, it also appears there are no larger jury verdicts for foodborne E. coli.

Our E. coli lawyers help client hold food companies, restaurant owners, and others accountable for selling unsafe food. They have appeared on CBS News, CNN, and numerous local stations. 

Contact us today for a 100% free consultation with our E. coli legal team