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Update: Two Washington Taco Bell Restaurants Struck With Hepatitis A Case
In May 2023, the Snohomish County Health Department in Washington State identified a case of hepatitis A after a staff member who worked at 2 Taco Bell locations tested positive for the infection.
“People who ate food from the Taco Bell at 2727 Broadway in Everett on May 22-23 or the Taco Bell at 303 91st Ave NE in Lake Stevens on May 23 should contact their healthcare provider or Public Health,” the Snohomish County Health Department wrote in a press release.
“Some individuals, especially children, may not develop jaundice and may have an illness so mild that it can go unnoticed. However, even mildly ill people can still be highly infectious. Anyone with symptoms of hepatitis A and potential exposure who is not vaccinated or immune should consult a healthcare provider right away even if symptoms are mild.”
Hepatitis A virus lives in the fecal matter or blood of someone who is infected and typically spreads through fecal contamination. The virus may be spread from person to person through close contact or through food handling.
Anyone who has not had a hepatitis shot should contact their doctor, or the Snohomish County Health Department, and schedule one.
What’s the Problem?
An employee infected with Hepatitis A worked at the Taco Bell at 1038 Glenwood Ave. in Oneida, New York, for at least 7 shifts between June 23 and July 3, 2020, according to WKTV [1].
Madison County health officials said customers who ate at the restaurant on 4 of those days – June 26, June 30, July 1, and July 3 – can be vaccinated to prevent the virus.
WKTV reported that an employee at a Taco Bell in Rome, New York, may have also exposed people who bought food at the restaurant. The employee was infectious while working at the restaurant for at least 3 weeks in June and early July 2020.
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [2]. Signs and symptoms include:
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Lack of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Dark urine or light-colored stools
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
Symptoms typically appear within 28 days of exposure, with a range of 15 to 50 days.
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FAQs
Can I sue Taco Bell if I contracted hepatitis but didn’t show symptoms immediately?
Yes, you can sue even if symptoms appeared later. Hepatitis has an incubation period, and legal claims can still be valid if you prove the infection source.
How do I prove that my hepatitis infection was caused by Taco Bell?
You can prove causation through medical records, public health reports linking the outbreak to Taco Bell, and evidence of your visit to the restaurant, such as receipts.
Can I join a hepatitis lawsuit if I was exposed but not infected?
You may have limited grounds for a lawsuit if you were exposed but not infected. Consulting with an attorney can clarify your specific situation and potential for compensation.
Can employees sue if they contracted hepatitis while working at Taco Bell?
Yes, employees can sue if they contracted hepatitis due to unsafe working conditions or negligence. Workers’ compensation may also provide benefits.
See all related food poisoning lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.
Do I Have a Taco Bell Hepatitis Lawsuit?
The Food Poisoning Litigation Group at Schmidt and Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Taco Bell Hepatitis Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new food poisoning cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with hepatitis after eating at Taco Bell, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a lawsuit and we can help.