Areas of Practice
Maryland E. Coli Food Poisoning Lawyers
It's a tiny bacterium, but Escherichia Coli (E. coli) can cause major havoc. Anyone who's followed recent health scares including E. coli-tainted spinach, beef and green onions can attest to the serious effects of this bacteria, which causes an approximate 25,000 cases of food poisoning each year.
E. coli is a normal part of the human body's gut flora, which assists in waste processing in the lower intestine. However, when meat or other food is contaminated with animal feces containing E. coli, a nationwide E. coli outbreak can occur. Certain strains of E. coli are highly toxic and can produce dysentery-like food poisoning symptoms in patients, who report vomiting, severe abdominal cramping, bloody feces and stomach pain.
In certain situations, E. coli food poisoning can lead to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), an E. coli complication that can have life-threatening effects. The disease leads to kidney failure and the destruction of red blood cells and can result in death. Adult HUS is also known as Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
Usually, the symptoms of E. coli food poisoning are treated with the use of antibiotic drugs and subside within about a week. However, antibiotic treatment is often insufficient to deal with this highly adaptive disease. There are E. coli vaccines in the works, but none are used in the
United States to date. Unfortunately, the only option E. coli food poisoning victims have may be to hydrate properly and wait out their food poisoning incident.
Doctors are urged to report cases of E. coli poisoning to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who can report outbreaks and coordinate food recalls with the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to halt the spread of E. coli. If the source of the E. coli is found, it is highly recommended that victims seek out an experienced E. coli lawyer in addition to a good doctor. E. coli lawyers can help establish liability on the part of restaurants and food processors who distribute tainted food to their customers, compensating victims and warning the general public about these unsanitary business practices.Have you suffered from E. coli-related food poisoning? Contact the Baltimore E. Coli attorneys at the law offices of Steven H. Heisler today. Steven H. Heisler represents personal injury victims of all stripes, including those whose health has been compromised by E. coli food poisoning. For more information, contact Steven H. Heisler for a free consultation today.