Shigella Food Poisoning Lawsuit | Latest Updates

A close cousin of E. coli, Shigella is a toxic pathogen that invades the colon, releasing toxins and causing inflammation. The released toxins cause the death of colon cells. With fewer than 100 Shigella cells needed to cause a full-blown infection, Shigella is a dangerous, potentially deadly bacterium.

Shigella Food Poisoning Lawsuit Overview

Shigella food poisoning is an acute medical infection caused by Shigella bacteria, which affects the lining of the intestines. The bacterium is particularly dangerous as fewer than 100 Shigella cells are needed to cause a full-blown infection. Around 450,000 cases of shigellosis occur in the United States each year, with approximately 70 people dying annually from Shigella and related complications.

CDC Reports and Statistics

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 450,000 cases of Shigella infection occur in the United States each year [1]. The CDC estimates that 70 people in the United States die annually from Shigella and related complications, with the elderly and small children having the greatest risk. Experts estimate that shigella food poisoning is responsible for 6,000 hospitalizations in the US annually.

What is Shigella Bacteria?

Shigella is a pathogenic bacterium named after Kiyoshi Shiga, who first discovered it in 1897. Shigella species are classified into 3 serogroups and 1 serotype:

• Serogroup A: S. dysenteriae (15 serotypes)
• Serogroup B: S. flexneri (9 serotypes)
• Serogroup C: S. boydii (19 serotypes)
• Serogroup D: S. sonnei (1 serotype)

It produces the Shiga toxin (Stx), one of the most potent biological poisons known to man. Stx causes fluid accumulation in rabbits, renal damage in mice and baboons, and is lethal to animals upon injection. Humans typically encounter Stx as a consequence of infection with S. dysenteriae type 1 or certain serogroups of E. coli such as the O157:H7.

Shigella Injuries & Side Effects

Shigella infections can cause a range of food poisoning symptoms that appear on average 3 days after ingestion of the bacteria, varying from mild to extremely severe.

• Gastrointestinal Distress: Nausea, vomiting, and acute abdominal pain
• Diarrhea: Loose stool, often containing blood, with rectal spasms
• Dehydration: Rapid pulse rate and low blood pressure
• Severe Complications: Acute fever, reactive arthritis, kidney failure
• Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS): A serious condition causing acute kidney failure

Related Article: When to See a Doctor for Food Poisoning

Do You Qualify for a Shigella Lawsuit?

You may qualify for a Shigella lawsuit if:

• You contracted shigella infection from contaminated food or water
• You experienced serious side effects including dysentery, HUS, or other severe symptoms
• The injuries required medical treatment or hospitalization
• You can provide medical documentation linking your injuries to Shigella exposure

Evidence Required for a Shigella Lawsuit

To strengthen your Shigella lawsuit, you will need:

• Medical documentation showing diagnosis of shigella infection
• Evidence linking your infection to a specific source (restaurant, contaminated water, etc.)
• Documentation of all medical treatments and associated expenses

Damages You Can Recover

By filing a Shigella lawsuit, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses related to treatment
• Lost wages due to inability to work
• Pain and suffering caused by the infection
• Additional damages depending on the severity of your case

Related Article: Home Remedy for Food Poisoning

Statute of Limitations for Shigella Lawsuits

There are time limits for filing a Shigella food poisoning lawsuit. The statute of limitations varies by state and begins from the date you discovered your illness was related to Shigella contamination.

Therefore, if you or a loved one had symptoms of Shigella, you should contact a law firm immediately as time-sensitive legal claims require prompt action.

FAQs

1. How common is shigellosis?

Shigellosis is particularly common in settings where hygiene is poor and can sometimes sweep through entire communities. Around 450,000 cases occur in the United States each year, with the infection most commonly found in daycare centers, nursing homes, and similar places. Shigellosis is more common in summer than winter, with children aged 2 to 4 being most vulnerable.

2. What is Shigella bacteria?

Shigella is a genus of pathogen that is gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, non-spore-forming, nonmotile, and rod-shaped. Named after Kiyoshi Shiga, who discovered it in 1897, Shigella species are classified into 3 serogroups and 1 serotype: Serogroup A (S. dysenteriae), Serogroup B (S. flexneri), Serogroup C (S. boydii), and Serogroup D (S. sonnei).

3. How is Shigella spread?

The Shigella bacteria are spread through fecal matter and can contaminate food or water, or transmission can occur directly through person-to-person contact. The illness is common among young children in third world refugee camps and travelers to developing countries. In the U.S., unsanitary beaches and swimming pools can become contaminated. Even a small amount of bacteria in the mouth is enough to cause illness.

4. How can shigella infections be diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose shigella infections based on typical symptoms like pain, fever, and watery or bloody diarrhea in people likely exposed to the bacteria. To confirm the diagnosis, doctors take a stool sample and send it to a laboratory to culture and identify the bacteria. Tests are also done to determine which antibiotics would be effective.

5. How can shigella infections be treated?

Antibiotics can shorten the duration of the disease and kill the Shigella bacteria. Due to potential antibiotic resistance, doctors perform fecal tests to identify effective antibiotics. Commonly used antibiotics include ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ceftriaxone, or ciprofloxacin. The primary treatment of food poisoning is replacing fluids lost through diarrhea and preventing spread to others.

6. When can a person with Shigella return to work?

People with shigella infection should not go to work or school while experiencing diarrhea. They may return when they no longer have severe diarrhea. For food handlers and workers in schools, residential programs, daycare, and healthcare facilities, they must be treated and have two negative stool cultures before returning to work.

7. How can you prevent shigellosis?

To prevent shigellosis: Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet or changing diapers; don’t share food, drinks, spoons, or straws; don’t allow anyone with diarrhea to use swimming pools until 2 weeks after symptoms have stopped; and be extra careful with small children, even those in diapers.

8. Can I sue a restaurant for shigella food poisoning?

Yes, people who developed a shigella infection or complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome after eating at a restaurant may file a lawsuit against the establishment for pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. The Schmidt & Clark law firm handles such cases nationwide.

9. Can children file a Shigella lawsuit if they are infected?

Yes, children can be represented by their parents or guardians in a Shigella lawsuit if they are infected. Parents or guardians can seek compensation on behalf of their children for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

10. Can I sue a water supplier if I contracted Shigella from contaminated water?

Yes, you can sue a water supplier if you contracted Shigella from contaminated water. Water suppliers have a responsibility to provide safe drinking water, and failure to do so can result in liability for any resulting illnesses.

Related Article: Causes of Food Poisoning

Take Action Now: Time-Sensitive Legal Claims

Time is limited to pursue legal action for Shigella food poisoning cases. If you or a loved one suffered from a Shigella infection, you should contact our law firm immediately. The statute of limitations restricts how long you have to file a claim after being infected.

Our services include:

• Free, confidential consultations
• No upfront costs or fees
• Payment only if we win your case

The Food Poisoning Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP is an experienced team of trial lawyers focused on representing plaintiffs in shigella food poisoning lawsuits nationwide. Our Shigella attorneys have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our wrongfully injured clients.

When restaurant workers are careless, innocent people can get hurt. Food vendors need to be held accountable for their actions, and we understand the suffering you must be going through. We stand ready to fight for your rights and seek to recover the largest settlement possible in your case.

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

START YOUR FREE CASE REVIEW NOW

Reference:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/shigella/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html