Washington Injury Attorney Blog

The two owners of a Cowlitz dairy farm have plead guilty to a charge of "distribution of adulterated food" as a result of a E-coli outbreak caused by milk from their dairy, reports The Seattle Times. Michael and Anita Puckett, owners of the Dee Creek Farm, will be fined $100,000and may serve up to one year in prison.

In December 2005, there was a major E-coli outbreak in Washington State traced back to milk the dairy distributed. Eighteen people became ill and three children were hospitalized with HUS, a severe kidney disease which often leads to lifelong health problems and permanent kidney damage.

When the U.S. Department of Agriculture investigated the E-coli outbreak, they found that the dairy did not have sanitary conditions. The dairy did not provide hand washing facilities and they could not prove that they tested for the bacteria which is required of a licensed dairy. In addition, Dee Creek Dairy distributed unpasteurized milk which is against the law unless one has a license to do so. The Puckett's did not have a license.

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS)is a life threatening condition that is a result of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacterium . The Center for Disease Control reports that there are approximately 73,000 cases of E-coli O157:H7 infection per year in the U.S. resulting in approximately 60 deaths. Undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized dairy products, cured meats and unpasteurized juices are often the culprits.

Many times an E-coli outbreak can be traced to the negligence of the food producer in the packaging or manufacturing process. In the case of this Cowlitz dairy, the Puckett's did not follow many of the sanitation requirements to produce their product.

In preparing a lawsuit for a case like this, the personal injury attorney must prove negligence. Because HUS is often a life-long condition, damage awards can be significant because the victim should be compensated for current and future medical costs and pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one has become ill because of food poisoning or a foodborne illness, contact The Farber Law Group. We have received significant financial awards for our clients in past cases involving a fast food operator in Washington State.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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Posted In: Dangerous Products , Foodborne Illness

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According to the KiroTV.com, three people in Thurston County and six people in Pierce County in Washington State have become ill with E-coli after eating tainted lettuce. A few of these victims has been hospitalized.

Health Department officials said they are tracking down the source of the tainted lettuce but that it appears not to be sold in stores, rather the infection is traced to a "restaurant, a cafeteria or a food vendor."

The World Health Organization estimates there are 76 million cases of food poisoning a year in the United States. Of those cases, approximately 5,000 people die. Foodborne illness is especially dangerous to the elderly, pregnant women, young children, infants and those with compromised immune systems.

One form or E-coli, Escherichia coli O157:H7, is an especially dangerous strain which can cause HUS kidney failure.

If a food vendor fails to follow strict hygiene rules and serves contaminated food, they many be liable for damages including medical costs incurred by the food poisoning victim. The Farber Law Group, a Washington E-coli attorney, has more than 30 years experience in representing people with serious illness due to food poisoning. In the past, we won sizable settlements for our client, including for one young boy who became seriously ill after eating at a popular fast food restaurant chain.

Contact us today for a free case case consultation.

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Posted In: Foodborne Illness

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The Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA) announced that the will be testing for additional strains of E.coli. Last Fall, Kayla Boner, an Iowa teenager died of a common E.coli bacteria that the FDA does not routinely test for. Since the early 1990's, the FDA's testing has been for the 0157:H7 strain of the bacteria. Since Boner's death, the FDA has decided to test for other strains including the 0111 bacterial that killed Boner.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that E.coli 0157 infections sicken 73,000 people a year and kills about 60. Other strains, however, can also be deadly. The FDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that they will begin to focus on six other E.coli bacteria: 026, 0111, 0103, 0121, 045 and 0145. FSIS executive associate, Elizabeth Hagen, says these groups of E.coli may be responsible for up to 75% of the non-0157:H7 illness.

The start date for the new testing has not yet been announced.

Foodborne illness can cause serious illness and sometimes death, especially in pregnant women, young children, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly. Complications can include severe hydration and shutdown of major organs like the kidneys.

If you or a loved one has been hospitalized or become severely ill due to food poisoning, you should contact a personal injury attorney with expertise in the field. The Farber Law Group has more than 30 years experience in representing victims of foodborne illness. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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The Seattle Post Intelligencer reports that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a possible link between salmonella food positioning and Malt-O-Meal cereal. People have apparently been sickened in by the same salmonella strain in 21 states, however no cases have been reported in Washington State. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three people have been hospitalized but there have been no deaths.

Malt-0-Meal is recalling its Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals with "Best if Used By" codes between April 8, 2008 and March 18, 2009. If you have cereal on your shelf marked with these dates, the company urges you to dispose of them. Recall information can be found on the company's web-site at www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo/.

Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include:

• Dehydration
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Diarrhea and bloody diarrhea
• Abdominal crams

Salmonella poisioning can be especially dangerous to the very young, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

If you or a family member has become seriously ill due to a food-borne illness, you should contact a personal injury attorney. The Farber Law Group has more than 30 years experience in representing people with foodborne illness. Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free consultation. Click here for Foodborne Illness resources.

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The Seattle Times reported today that nine Washington State residents, including two elderly women living in King County, have been sickened by Salmonella. One woman was hospitalized and King County health officials said that both women are recovering.

The cantaloupe originated in Honduras where they were grown and packed by Agropecuaria Montelibano. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert and asked that the cantaloupe be removed from stores and from food service. They also urge all consumers to return any cantaloupe to their grocers to determine if it was provide by Agropecuaria Montelibano.

Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness in the United States. The most common symptoms of the disease is vomiting, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever, chills and stomach cramps. Serious complications can include dehydration and sometimes death, especially in the young and the elderly.

The King County Health Department has a fact sheet on the disease.

If you or a family member has become seriously ill due to Salmonella, contact The Farber Law Group. The Farber Law Group has more than 30 years experience in representing people that have become seriously ill because of food-borne illness.

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According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year 325,000 Americans are hospitalized and approximately 5,000 die from foodborne infections such as E. coli. While most healthy people recover quickly from the illness which causes stomach cramps and severe diarrhea, the young, immuno-compromised and the elderly often become very ill because of the disease. In the past year, we have seen recalls of bagged salads and frozen pizza because of potential E. coli or salmonella contamination.

In 1993, an E.coli outbreak at a fast food restaurant chain in Washington State sickened hundreds and killed four children. The Associated Press (AP) interviewed Alyssa Chrobuck who was sickened at the age of 5 in the infamous Jack-in-the-Box case. Now a college student, Chrobuck feels lucky to be alive because her major organs started to shut down after she was infected. Her parents were told that she would die. She recovered from the initial illness but has suffered health effects ever since and takes eight medications daily.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a serious complication of E. coli poisoning. HUS is a form of severe kidney damages which is fatal in 10% of the cases. HUS survivors experience serious health problems that linger, sometimes for a lifetime.

E. coli is a common bacteria that lives in the intestines of people and animals. Many strains are harmless but one dangerous strain, O157:H7 produces a powerful poison. People are sickened if E. coli gets into their food or water source. This happens when proper hygienic practices are not maintained such as washing hands and food properly.

If you or a family member has been hospitalized because of a foodborne illness such as E. coli or if a loved one has suffered serious health complications or died due to a food-borne illness, you may be eligible to receive compensation for damages and medical costs. Contact The Farber Law Group who has been successful in obtaining awards for victims of E.coli. Because of the lingering health effects of E. coli, you need to make sure your rights are preserved.

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Posted In: Foodborne Illness

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