As a personal injury lawyer in Atlanta and father of two young girls, this kind of news always catches my attention. A lawsuit has been filed against Taco Bell over last year’s salmonella poisoning outbreak that affected 68 people in 10 states. The lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a 22-year-old woman in Oklahoma who claims she was infected with Salmonella poisoning after she ate at Taco Bell. She alleges that she was ill for two weeks and is seeking $75,000.
Taco Bell claims that investigators found that not all who ate at Taco Bell had gotten sick. Therefore, Taco Bell suggests that the problem probably originated with their supplier before being delivered to Taco Bell restaurants. Salmonella illnesses were reported in Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas from October through January of last year.
Taco Bell is no stranger to outbreaks of food borne illness. In 2000, green onions were the cause of a hepatitis outbreak. In 2006, tainted lettuce caused an E. coli outbreak that sickened 71 customers in five states. And in 20010, Taco Bell was linked to another Salmonella outbreak that sickened 155 people.
Most people who contract Salmonella poisoning develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps three days after they have been infected. Salmonellosis usually lasts four to seven days with most people recovering without needing treatment. Infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more inclined to become gravely ill. When a person is severely infected, Salmonella can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream causing death as it reaches other body sites unless treatment is promptly received.
Children are at the highest risk for Salmonella infection. Children under the age of 5 have higher rates of Salmonella infection than any other age group. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are the most likely to have severe infections.
According to the CDC Website, People with diarrhea due to a Salmonella infection usually recover completely, although it may be several months before their bowel habits are entirely normal.
A small number of people with Salmonella develop pain in their joints. This is called reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis can last for months or years and can lead to chronic arthritis, which can be difficult to treat. Antibiotic treatment of the initial Salmonella infection does not make a difference in whether or not the person develops arthritis. People with reactive arthritis can also develop irritation of the eyes and painful urination.
Attorney Robert J. Fleming has been handling wrongful death cases, automobile accident cases, personal injury cases, dental malpractice and medical malpractice lawsuits for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 20 years in and around Atlanta, Georgia and its surrounding areas, including Alpharetta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Duluth, Decatur, Doraville, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree City, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, and Smyrna. If you have been seriously injured and would like quality legal representation, contact Robert J. Fleming directly on (404) 525-5150 or contact us online.