Hepatitis A Lawyer - Food Borne Illnesses

Food Borne Illnesses

On February 14, 2007, Sports Illustrated threw a party to celebrate the launch of their 2007 Swimsuit Issue that was catered by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s catering service, Wolfgang Puck Catering.  Unfortunately, one of the cooks for the event was infected with acute hepatitis A, and the Sports Illustrated event is merely one of 13 events catered that could have exposed people to this dangerous and potentially fatal disease.

Authorities estimate that there could be as many as 3,500 people exposed to hepatitis A.  Hepatitis A is a virus that attacks the liver and is usually transmitted through contaminated food.  It does not usually have a chronic stage as do many other viruses; rather it has a prolonged incubation period that can range between 10 to 25 days, followed by an acute period when it can be transmitted to others. Symptoms of this disease often include:

• Non-specific discomfort
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Anorexia (loss of appetite)
• Fatigue
• Right-Upper abdominal pain
• Darkened urine
• Jaundice (the yellowing of the eyes and skin)
• Reduced immune function

There is no treatment for hepatitis A.  At best, doctors can advise victims to rest, avoid fatty food and alcohol because the liver can be dramatically affected by hepatitis A and consuming them can often cause a relapse of hepatitis A months after the condition has subsided.  In 15% of cases victims of hepatitis A can suffer a relapse anywhere from nine months to a year after they first contract the condition.  Adults that contract hepatitis A are usually confined to bed rest and cannot work for a few months, and final recovery does not occur until anywhere from between 6-12 months after exposure.

Most people experience hepatitis A with few long-term negative effects, but the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that in 1991 that four out of 1000 people died from this “minor” disease, but the same facts supported the notion that people age 50 and over that contracted hepatitis A died at more than four times that rate.

If you or someone you love contracted hepititis A due to contaminated food, you may have the right to seek compensation for your pain and suffering.  Let our dedicated, aggressive, and experienced personal injury attorneys fight for you and get you the justice deserve.  Contact us today.

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