Shigella Outbreak Lawyers

When it’s not, and you suffer an illness like shigellosis, you have the right to pursue damages. By working with a knowledgeable lawyer, you can ensure your rights are respected and pursue what you may be entitled to.

Shigella food poisoning usually stems from exposure to bacteria found in feces or contaminated food or water. And if you, unfortunately, develop shigellosis, you are likely suffering from severe symptoms. U.S. health and safety regulations work to prevent situations like yours. However, if someone fails to follow those guidelines, then people are at risk of developing this foodborne illness.

At OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers, we’ve handled countless food-borne injury cases, including Shigella outbreaks. We offer 100% free consults and can discuss your ability to file a Shigella lawsuit.

Compensation for a Shigella Lawsuit

We will utilize personal injury laws to help you recover your damages. Potential compensation can include:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost income
• Lost employment benefits
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent physical limitations

Who Is Liable for a Shigella Outbreak?

Individuals or businesses who fail to adhere to health and safety standards put everyone at risk for cases of shigellosis.

Parties that may be liable for a Shigella outbreak include:

• Childcare center or daycare facility
• Nursing home or assisted living facility
• Healthcare facility
• Doctor, nurse, or another medical professional
• Restaurant
• Grocery store
• Distributor
• Manufacturer
• Swimming pool owner
• Camp or recreational organization
• Farm or food provider

What Is Shigella and Shigellosis?

Shigella is a bacteria that causes an infection called “shigellosis.” It causes as many as 450,000 infections annually in the United States.

Bacteria that may cause a Shigella infection include:

• Shigella sonnei
• Shigella flexneri
• Shigella boydii
• Shigella dysenteriae

Shigella sonnei is the most common in the U.S. Shigella flexneri and Shigella boydii are both rare.

How Is Shigella Spread?

Shigella spreads quickly, and it only takes a small amount to cause a severe illness. People with shigellosis are contagious for several weeks after their symptoms end.

Swallowing Bacteria

Shigella primarily infects people when they swallow the bacteria. That may include eating or drinking contaminated foods and beverages. Recreational water in a lake or swimming pool can also result in an infection.

Touching Contaminated Surfaces

Shigella outbreaks often occur in school and medical facility settings due to contact with contaminated surfaces. People who change diapers frequently and fail to wash their hands or disinfect the area properly are also at risk.

Exposure to stool during sexual intercourse can also lead to a Shigella infection. This is common if one of the individuals has or has recently been infected with Shigella.

What Are the Symptoms of Shigella?

The symptoms of Shigella are also commonly found in other types of food poisoning. Thus, it can be hard to determine precisely what is causing the illness.

Symptoms of shigellosis include:

• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Diarrhea (that may be bloody)
• Urge to use the bathroom when the bowels are empty

Symptoms typically begin one to two days after infection and can last up to seven days. It can take several months for bowel habits to return to normal.

Shigella dysenteriae can be deadly due to the severe dehydration that symptoms cause. It’s essential to get medical treatment if you suspect you have a Shigella infection.

Shigella can also cause a condition called “reactive arthritis” in some people. This results in joint inflammation, lower back pain, and other symptoms. Reactive arthritis can last for up to 12 months after infection.

How Is Shigella Diagnosed?

Since Shigella has many of the same symptoms as other viruses and bacterial infections, it’s important to get laboratory testing done to identify Shigella. A healthcare provider can obtain a stool sample and test it for Shigella bacteria in infected individuals.

How Is Shigella Treated?

It’s essential to identify Shigella so your doctor can effectively treat it. Shigella is often resistant to antibiotics, and specific medications may be needed.

Without antibiotics, many people get better within five to seven days. However, anyone with this condition should increase fluids and rest as much as possible. Anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medications can also help.

Recent Shigella Outbreaks

Shigella is a common illness, but it is not always diagnosed because people frequently think they don’t need medical attention. However, there have been several outbreaks recently.

Recent Shigella outbreaks include:

• Oregon: 105 wedding guests became ill after eating contaminated food
• California: 8 people were infected after eating at a Souplantation restaurant
• California: 12 cases of Shigella when people ate contaminated food at Café Coyote in San Diego
• Arkansas: 275 people became ill after eating at a restaurant in Bentonville
• California: 8 people tested positive for Shigella after eating contaminated food in Newport Beach
• New York: Over 1,000 people became ill from eating contaminated raw tomatoes

How to Report Shigella

Health departments and medical facilities are not required to report Shigella infections to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, laboratories often collect data regarding confirmed cases and submit it to the National Shigella Reference Laboratory.

You can also report a case of Shigella to the CDC directly. The CDC may conduct an investigation, and that information can be used to support your arguments in a Shigella lawsuit.

Speak to a Shigella Lawyer Now

You have rights if you have contracted a Shigella infection due to someone else’s negligence. We can help you hold those responsible for your damages accountable. OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers has recovered millions of dollars for victims like you.

Call 888-828-7087 today or contact us online. We help people throughout the U.S. with foodborne illness cases. Initial consultations are 100% free.