Campylobacter Food Poisoning Lawsuit | Get the Right Lawyer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that at least 1.3 million food poisoning illnesses in the U.S. each year are caused by campylobacter, a bacterium that infects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and causes severe fever, bloody diarrhea, and cramps.

If you have developed campylobacter food poisoning, it is critical to speak with an experienced attorney who can help protect your rights and seek compensation for your pain and suffering.

Quick Summary:

• Each year, 1.3 million Americans are affected by this condition.
• There are approximately 20 cases diagnosed per 100,000 people.
• The majority of cases go undiagnosed.

What is Campylobacter Infection?

Campylobacter infection, or campylobacteriosis, is caused by campylobacter bacteria. It is the most common bacterial cause of foodborne illness in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Data from the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) indicate that about 20 cases are diagnosed each year for every 100,000 people. Many more cases go undiagnosed or unreported.

How is Campylobacteriosis Spread?

People can become ill with campylobacteriosis by eating contaminated foods, drinking contaminated water, or having contact with infected animals.

Eating undercooked poultry, meat, or eggs, or cross-contamination of foods, are common ways to be infected. Even one drop of juice from raw poultry or meat can have enough Campylobacter in it to infect a person.

Additionally, infection occurs by drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk which may contain campylobacter.

Animals can also be infected. Some people get illnesses from contact with the feces of a sick dog or cat. Many chicken flocks are infected with campylobacter; however, individual birds show no symptoms of foodborne illness. When an infected bird is slaughtered, campylobacter can be transferred from the bird’s intestines to its meat.

Campylobacter is not usually spread from one person to another, but this can occur if the infected person does not thoroughly wash their hands after using the bathroom.

Infected people will continue to pass the bacteria in their feces for a few days to a week or more. Certain antibiotics may shorten the amount of time the bacteria stays in the body.

Campylobacteriosis Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of campylobacteriosis injury include:

Emergency Symptoms (Red flag)

• Severe, bloody diarrhea
• High fever (102°F or higher)
• Signs of dehydration (decreased urination, dry mouth, lethargy)

Timeline: Seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms occur.

Serious Symptoms (Need medical attention)

• Persistent abdominal cramps
• Prolonged vomiting
• Fever lasting more than 3 days
• Bloody stools

Timeline: Symptoms typically appear 2-5 days after exposure. Consult a doctor if symptoms persist beyond 1 week.

Common Symptoms (Monitor at home)

• Mild to moderate diarrhea
• Low-grade fever
• Nausea
• Mild abdominal discomfort

These food poisoning symptoms usually start 2 to 5 days after campylobacter bacteria contamination occurs and last about 1 week.

Most people recover without specific treatment. However, consult a healthcare provider if symptoms worsen or persist beyond a week. Be sure to stay hydrated and rest while recovering.

How is Campylobacter Diagnosed?

Campylobacter injury is detected when a laboratory test finds campylobacter bacteria in stool, body tissue, or fluids. The test could be a culture that isolates the bacteria or a rapid diagnostic test that detects the genetic material of the bacteria.

Campylobacter Outbreaks

Campylobacter outbreaks can occur in various settings, often linked to contaminated food or animal contact. One notable incident occurred in 2019, when a pet store puppy outbreak affected multiple states. Below is a timeline highlighting this and other significant outbreaks:

Treatment

Most cases of campylobacter food poisoning are mild and do not require professional medical treatment.

The contamination lasts 5 – 8 days and typically goes away.

In rare cases, abdominal illness can be serious and life-threatening. Severe health symptoms may respond to antibiotic treatment and anti-diarrheal medication may be administered to make the patient more comfortable.

Death from campylobacter food poisoning injury is more common when other diseases are present, such as liver disease or cancer.

What Happens if Campylobacter is Not Treated?

Some individuals suffering from a campylobacter food poisoning injury will develop a life-threatening health condition called Guillain-Barré syndrome, or GBS. This condition is the most common cause of acute cases of generalized paralysis of the immune system in the Western world.

The complications occur when the antibodies the body creates to attack the campylobacter cells start to attack the body’s nerve cells because they are chemically similar.

Beginning at the feet and moving slowly throughout the body, GBS starts with fever and pricking sensations that become a weakness that can progress into paralysis.

The condition can last for months, and even though most patients make a full recovery, victims can be left with severe neurological damage.

Around 15% of individuals who contract Guillain-Barré syndrome remain wheelchair-bound or bedridden one year after contracting the illness.

Can I Go to Work With Campylobacter?

You should stay home from work if you are ill and have serious symptoms of campylobacter infection, as you may be infectious to others.

You can return to work or school after being free from diarrhea for 48 hours. You should tell your employer you have had campylobacter infection if you work with vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the young, those in poor health, or if you handle foods.

Children should not attend school/childcare or play with other children until they fully recover and are symptom-free for 48 hours.

Does Campylobacter Require Isolation?

Since campylobacter bacteria is spread through fecal matter, only people with diarrhea (loose stool) should be isolated.

Most infected people may return to work or school when their feces become solid. People with diarrhea should be excluded from childcare, food handling, and direct patient care until their symptoms have resolved.

What Can We Do to Outsmart Campylobacter?

You can help prevent serious campylobacter complications by:

• Washing hands carefully
• Keeping your food preparation areas clean
• Avoiding unpasteurized milk
• Cooking your food at the appropriate temperatures
• Being careful when dealing with animals
• Using caution when swimming

Campylobacter Trends

Campylobacter infection rates increased by 12% in 2018 compared with 2015–2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More campylobacter infections are probably being diagnosed because laboratories are using culture-independent diagnostic tests more often. It’s also possible that the number of infections is truly increasing.

Proving Responsibility for Campylobacter Infections

A food product contaminated with a pathogen is defective, and a campylobacter lawyer may recover damages if a consumer is harmed by eating the food. In most states, food is a “product” for purposes of product liability law, and a pathogen renders the food defective.

Plaintiffs seeking damages after exposure to campylobacter will need to prove that:

• The defendant produced or sold the contaminated food;
• The defendant caused the contamination or failed to take care to prevent it;
• The plaintiff consumed the contaminated food;
• The plaintiff suffered an illness as a result, and
• The plaintiff was diagnosed with food poisoning based on the contamination.

The causation element may be complicated to prove since campylobacter may not develop immediately but may take a few days to manifest.

Proving causation starts with testing a stool sample for pathogens before antibiotics are used. After the diagnosis, further tests must be done through pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

A key aspect of a case is finding evidence implicating a particular manufacturer, food processor, restaurant, or food.

Submitting this proof is easier if there is an outbreak among numerous people, all of whom ate the same food containing the pathogen.

In some cases, it may be possible to build a case in which multiple people eating at the same restaurant got sick, even if they did not all eat the same thing.

FAQs

1. What Are the Common Symptoms of a Campylobacter Infection?

Common symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting, typically starting 2-5 days after exposure and lasting about a week.

2. How Is Campylobacter Transmitted to Humans?

Campylobacter is transmitted primarily through undercooked poultry, contaminated water, or unpasteurized milk and can also spread through contact with infected animals or improper food handling.

3. What Foods Are Most Commonly Associated With Campylobacter Contamination?

Poultry products, particularly undercooked chicken, raw milk, and contaminated water, are most commonly associated with Campylobacter contamination, emphasizing proper cooking and handling.

Do I Need a Campylobacter Lawyer? Free Campylobacter Infection Lawsuit Review.

The Food Poisoning Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Campylobacter Food Poisoning Lawsuits. Our law firm is handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new food poisoning cases throughout the United States.

If you or a loved one had symptoms of a food poisoning illness, you should call an attorney for a free consultation immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our law firm can help.

Call the food poisoning lawyers with Schmidt & Clark, LLP by dialing (866) 588-0600 or fill out the contact form below to get your free case review.