Listeria Lawsuit Help
Attorney Eric H. Weinberg is currently assisting victims of the 2011 U.S. listeriosis outbreak linked to recalled Jensen Farms’ cantaloupes. We are ready to help you. If you believe that you were injured in this outbreak, you can request a free legal case evaluation by filling out the form to your left on this page, or call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274.
Listeriosis Outbreak Linked to Jensen Farms “Rocky Ford” Cantaloupes
As of October 7, 2011, 21 deaths and 109 confirmed listeriosis cases have been linked to eating contaminated cantaloupes in what is certainly one of the most deadly U.S. food poisoning outbreaks is recent history. Twenty-four states have reported confirmed Listeria outbreak cases, with the first confirmed illness beginning on about July 31, 2011. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, indicate that these numbers may increase given the long incubation period for listeriosis (up to 2 months after eating contaminated food) and the time it takes to diagnose and confirm a Listeria outbreak case.
According to the CDC, persons infected with any of the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes is as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas(1), California (1), Colorado (32), Idaho (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (2), Iowa (1), Kansas (7), Maryland (1), Missouri (3), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), New Mexico (13), New York (1), North Dakota (1), Oklahoma (11), Oregon (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (16), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (3).
The 21 deaths have been reported from the following states: 5 in Colorado, 1 in Indiana, 2 in Kansas, 1 in Maryland, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nebraska, 5 in New Mexico, 1 in New York, 1 in Oklahoma, 2 in Texas, and 1 in Wyoming. The CDC also reported that one woman, pregnant at the time of illness, has had a miscarriage.
The majority of these illnesses occurred in persons over 60 years old or with health conditions that may have the weakened the immune system.
The Cantaloupe Recall
On September 14, 2011, the FDA announced that Jensen Farms was recalling its “Rocky Ford Cantaloupes” because the melons had been linked to a multistate Listeria outbreak. Consumers were later informed that the recalled melons had also been shipped to Indiana, Louisiana, and Wisconsin. As part of the larger recall, Carol’s Cuts Fresh Cut Cantaloupes announced a recall for its Fresh Cut Cantaloupes and Cut Mixed Fruit on September 23, 2011, and Fresh Fruit Up, recalled its Fresh Cut Cantaloupe and Mixed Fruit on October 6, 2011. For up to date information on recalled cantaloupe, check the FDA website, www.foodsafety.gov.
What is Listeria monocytogenes?
Listeria monocytogenesis a bacterium capable of causing a serious and life-threatening infection known as listeriosis. Listeriosis is considered a foodborne illness. Newborns, pregnant women, older adults, and those individuals with weakened immune systems are at greatest risk for developing a Listeria infection and its complications. Although less common, individuals not belonging to one of these high risk groups can contract listeriosis.
Listeria Symptoms and Complications
Listeriosis symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If the Listeria infection spreads to the central nervous system, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions. Pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms. Your doctor may use the terms Listeria sepsis, indicating that the bacteria have entered the blood stream; or meningoencephalitis or meningitis, indicating that the bacteria have entered the central nervous system causing inflammation of the brain and its membranes and spinal tissue. Additional complications may include, but are not limited to premature delivery, miscarriage or stillbirth, endocarditis, abscess formation, pneumonia, and eye and or joint inflammation.
The CDC cautions that persons in the high-risk category, including older adults, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, experiencing flu-like symptoms within two months of eating a Listeria contaminated food, seek medical care. Let your physician or health care provider know that you have eaten the recalled melons or any other contaminated food. This is vital to your health since you can develop listeriosis for up to two months after eating a food contaminated with Listeria.
Diagnosis of Listeria Infection
Listeriosis is typically diagnosed through a blood or spinal fluid test to look for, or isolate the bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes. In pregnant women, a sample of amniotic fluid may also be tested.
What You Can Do If You Suspect a Listeria Infection
If you suspect that you may have contracted Listeria or are experiencing Listeria symptoms, contact your healthcare professional. He or she can order the necessary lab work to confirm a Listeria infection. Let your doctor know that you consumed cantaloupe or handled cantaloupes that may have been recalled.
Contact Lawyer Eric H. Weinberg for a Listeria Lawsuit Evaluation
If you or a loved one are diagnosed with listeriosis, are awaiting medical confirmation of infection, or have a question regarding your legal rights, you can request a free legal case evaluation by selecting Listeria Recall Lawyer, or call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274.
At The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg, we believe that the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones during an outbreak is to stay informed. Please see www.foodsafety.gov, www.cdc.gov, or our firm sponsored site www.foodpoisoning.com for updates.
