Salmonella Poisoning
The Illinois Department of Public Health recently identified 34 cases of a rare strain of salmonella among diners who ate at Subway restaurants in 14 Illinois counties. The number of actual illnesses could exceed 1,000 people.
The outbreak of the Hvittingfoss salmonella-related illnesses began between May 14 and May 25 and has impacted customers ranging in age from 6 years old to 88 years old. The customers ate at Subway restaurants in the Illinois counties of Bureau, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Fulton, LaSalle, Macon, Ogle, Peoria, Sangamon, Schuyler, Shelby, Tazewell and Warren.
Even though there has been no confirmed link to a specific Subway food product, the restaurant chain’s officials have said that all lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and green peppers from the suspect dates have been voluntarily removed and replaced at franchise locations.
Restaurants have a legal and ethical duty to ensure the products they serve customers will not make them ill. When a customer suffers a foodborne illness or food poisoning after consuming an unsafe product, the restaurant may be liable for the injuries suffered by innocent victims and their families.
At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our team of Illinois product liability attorneys is familiar with the physical, emotional and financial damages that a contaminated food product can cause.
If you believe you or a loved one has been harmed by the Illinois salmonella outbreak, call us at 312-372-1227 or use our online form for a free, confidential and no-obligation consultation.
Illinois Salmonella Outbreak
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness in humans. It usually is transmitted to people by eating food contaminated with feces. The contamination can come from food that isn’t properly cleaned and prepared or is handled by a worker or employee who did not properly wash his or her hands.
Persons infected with salmonella generally develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps within three days after infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In some cases, the infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, requiring hospitalization and potentially leading to death if the person is not properly treated.
Approximately 40,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in the U.S. each year, including an average of 400 fatal cases. Many cases go undiagnosed or unreported. The CDC estimates that the number of actual salmonella-related illnesses is 30 times greater than what is reported.
The strand of salmonella identified in the recent Illinois outbreak, Hvittingfoss salmonella, is extremely rare, with only 1-2 cases reported in Illinois each year. So far, no deaths have been reported. Among the 34 infected customers, 14 have required hospitalization and are recovering.
What Can You Do?
The state health department has encouraged anyone who has experienced gastrointestinal illness within 6 to 72 hours after eating at an Illinois Subway restaurant on or after May 10 to contact their local health department. There should be no delay in seeking medical treatment.
A person who has been harmed in a salmonella outbreak or any other food poisoning case as the result of a restaurant’s negligence may also be entitled to receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Pain, suffering and mental anguish.
Contact Us Today
The food product liability attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. are committed to protecting the rights and interests of Illinois restaurant customers throughout the counties of Bureau, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Fulton, LaSalle, Macon, Ogle, Peoria, Sangamon, Schuyler, Shelby, Tazewell and Warren.
If you believe you or a loved one has suffered a foodborne illness or food poisoning after eating at an Illinois Subway restaurant, call us today at 312-372-1227 or use our online form for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation about your potential legal remedies.
