Our law firm is investigating an outbreak of illnesses that has sickened at least 8 people. They were all diagnosed with E. coli poisoning after visiting the Mesa County Fair in Grand Junction, Colorado, according to Mesa County Public Health. The fair ran from July 25 to July 29, 2017.
Mesa County health officials have interviewed patients and parents of patients to get information about what was eaten and what locations were visited at the fair. E. coli can be caused by contaminated food, animal contact, or contact with animal feces.
This kind of E. coli is labeled O157:H7, and it produces Shiga toxins, which is the poison that makes people sick. Little children are most at risk, and even 10 cells of this deadly bacteria can cause fatal illness.
“Because of the animal exihibits, fairs are known to be a hotbed for E. coli bacteria,” said attorney Fred Pritzker, who recently won $7.55 million for a child who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Health officials have been in contact with child care providers to determine if other children were sickened.
This is a serious outbreak. Complications include renal failure (hemolytic uremic syndrome), central nervous system damage (seizures, stroke, brain infection), pancreatitis and other serious medical problems.
Find Out if You and Your Child Have a Case against the Mesa County Fair
If you or your child was diagnosed with an E. coli infection after attending the Mesa County Fair in Grand Junction, Colorado, contact our law firm. The incubation period (time you can get sick) is generally 2 to 10 days after exposure.
In E. coli lawsuits against fairs, below are some of the many questions that need answers:
- What measures were in place to prevent an E. coli outbreak?
- How were those measure implemented?
- Where on the fairgrounds were those measures implemented?
- Who was responsible for maintaining them throughout the dates of the fair?
- How much distance was there between the animal exhibits and the food stands?
- Where the food vendors required to put food safety measures in place?
- Who were those vendors and was any of the food tested?
Pritzker Hageman law firm is one of the few in the United States that has won millions for people sickened by E. coli. Many of our clients have been parents of young children who want to make sure medical bills are paid and little ones have the money needed to help them as they face a lifetime of illness and/or uncertainty. Even “mild” cases of E. coli can substantially increase the risk of future kidney damage. If a child developes HUS, a kidney transplant may be needed in the future.
Contact our law firm for a free consultation and find out if you have a case.
