Today the CDC reported 39 confirmed cases of hepatitis A in California associated with Costco-Townsend Farms berries with pomegranate seeds. The hep A cases are part of a larger outbreak of the illness that has sickened people in 8 states.
Attorney Fred Pritzker and his Bad Bug Law Team are representing hepatitis A victims and their families. He filed a lawsuit on behalf of one of them yesterday.
Our client purchased at least 4 bags of Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend at a Costco store, according to the hepatitis A lawsuit. Beginning May 4, 2013, our client began experiencing significant abdominal pain and nausea. These symptoms soon developed to include vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, muscle and joint aches and pain, headache, dark urine and yellowing of his skin, all classic symptoms of hepatitis A.
On May 8, 2013, he went to an Urgent Care facility and was given an IV for dehydration. On approximately May 15, 2013, he was hospitalized and diagnosed with hepatitis A. [Note: This also gives rise to a medical malpractice claim for failure to diagnose hepatitis A.]
The lawsuit seeks compensation for pain, suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of wages and medical expenses that he has and will incur because the berries were contaminated with hep A. We are often asked how much we think a case is worth. This depends on a number of factors. Our lawyers provide free consultations, so you can contact our law firm and discuss your case with no obligation. You can get your FREE consultation here.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus, which is excreted in feces of infected people. Most infections are the result of eating foods contaminated with the feces of an infected person. The time period between exposure to hepatitis A and the onset of symptoms varies from approximately ten to fifty days, depending on the number of infectious particles consumed. Infection with very few particles results in longer incubation periods. The period of communicability extends from early in the incubation period to about a week after the development of jaundice.
Symptoms usually last a few weeks, but can last for several months. Illnesses of two to six months are not uncommon. Hepatitis A can cause serious complications, including liver failure and death.