Deli Meat and Cheese Linked to New Listeria Outbreak: Can I File a Lawsuit?

 Posted on November 16, 2022 in Listeria

One person has died, a pregnant woman lost her baby, and several others have required hospitalization after contracting listeria from deli meat and cheese. Listeria is the third leading cause of death from food poisoning in the United States and is especially dangerous for pregnant women, those over 65 years old, and people with a weak immune system. If you have been affected by the latest outbreak contact Newland & Newland, LLP. We have experienced listeria food poisoning attorneys who can help.

Impacted States

Infections have been reported in Illinois, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California. People have reported getting sick after eating deli meat or cheese sold at a market in New York. But officials believe this store is not the only source of the contaminated food and that the number of sick people is likely to rise.

Health Complications Due to Listeria

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that produces an infection called listeriosis. It is a severe illness that involves multiple organs and complications including brain infection. The elderly can suffer blood infections leading to sepsis. About 25 percent of listeriosis cases are fatal, but it can take as much as three to four weeks to determine if you are sick as a result of listeria. Symptoms include confusion, stiff neck, convulsions, loss of balance, and muscle aches. If caught early, antibiotics can be used to treat listeria.

What Evidence Do I Need to Prove My Case?

You can file a lawsuit for listeriosis food poisoning if there is evidence that a food product contaminated with listeria made you sick. Factors that can aid in a food poisoning lawsuit include:

• The physician-ordered tests including blood work to identify the pathogen

• CDC-collected data to identify illnesses that are a part of the outbreak

• DNA fingerprinting on bacteria via a whole genome sequencing method, which shows that bacteria from the samples of sick individuals are linked genetically. 

• Leading public health investigators who believe that the people involved in this outbreak became sick from the same food

• Scientific and medical experts 

You may also have a case if your baby died from listeriosis or if you suffered a miscarriage.  

Contact an Illinois Listeria Food Poisoning Lawyer

If you or a loved one is ill due to listeria, we know how dangerous this can be. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we have helped families get the compensation they are entitled to receive for dangerous exposure to foodborne pathogens. Call 312-981-0409 for a free consultation. An Illinois listeria food poisoning lawyer will guide you through the process and explain the information you will need.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/deli-11-22/details.html

https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/risk-groups/pregnant-women.html