E.Coli Outbreak Linked to Nut Butter

 Posted on March 11, 2017 in Food poisoning attorney

The SoyNut Butter Company, an Illinois-based food manufacturer, recently issued a recall of all varieties of its I.M. Healthy nut butters and its I.M. Healthy granola products due to concerns about potential E.Coli contamination. 12 victims from five states, all but one of whom are younger than 18 years old, reportedly suffered from food poisoning symptoms after consuming these products. Of these victims, six were hospitalized. Four of the hospitalized victims suffered from hemolytic uremic syndrome. No deaths have been reported in connection to this outbreak. One of the victims in this lawsuit is being represented by Gary Newland of Newland & Newland, LLP.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a type of kidney failure that can be fatal. When an individual dies from consuming contaminated or otherwise harmful food because of another party's negligence, his or her loved ones may seek compensation for their damages through a wrongful death claim. In cases in which victims survive their illnesses, they may seek compensation for their financial damages related to the illnesses through personal injury claims.

Symptoms of E.Coli Poisoning

E.Coli symptoms generally appear two to eight days after consuming the contaminated food product. They include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. For most individuals, E.Coli symptoms subside within five days to one week. Hemolytic uremic syndrome affects 5 to 10% of E.Coli victims.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome include:

• Pallor;
• Bloody diarrhea;
• High blood pressure;
• Seizures;
• Confusion;
• Unexplained bruises and bleeding; and
• Decreased urine output.

If you or your child experience any of these symptoms after suffering from E.Coli symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Seek emergency medical care if your child does not urinate for a period of 12 hours or longer. Children under five years of age, elderly adults, and individuals with certain genetic conditions are more likely than the general population to suffer from hemolytic uremic syndrome. If it is not treated properly, this condition can lead to stroke, coma, heart problems, and kidney failure.

Individuals suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome must be hospitalized. Treatment for this condition includes fluid replacement, kidney dialysis, platelet transfusion, and red blood cell transfusions. Generally, individuals who receive appropriate treatment make a full recovery. In some cases, individuals do not make a full recovery and suffer from permanent kidney damage as a result. In these cases, victims may need to take medication to lower their blood pressure and receive kidney examinations each year for the following five years.

Work with an Experienced Schaumburg Food Poisoning Lawyer

Gary Newland of Newland & Newland, LLP is currently working with one of the victims of the SoyNut Butter Company's negligence, and he can help you, too. If you or your child have suffered from food poisoning because of another party's negligence, such as a childcare center or school serving contaminated food or purchasing a recalled food product from a grocery store, you could be entitled to monetary compensation for your financial damages. To learn more about pursuing a personal injury claim, contact our team of food poisoning lawyers at Newland & Newland, LLP today to schedule your initial consultation with a member of our firm. We serve clients in the Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, and Itasca areas.

(image courtesy of Alisa Anton)