Suing for E. coli Infection in Texas: What You Need to Know

Recent E. coli outbreaks from major brands have people wondering–can you sue if you get sick from an E. coli infection?

If you get food poisoning from a contaminated restaurant or grocery store product, you can usually sue the company for damages.

Most people recover from an E. coli infection on their own in five to seven days without treatment. In this case, you would likely not need to sue, as you did not suffer damages or significant loss from the illness. However, some cases of E. coli infection are more serious, especially in small children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Severe cases can end in hospitalization, further illness, and even death.

If you or your child was made severely ill or you lost your child to an E. coli infection, you should consider filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the responsible party.

Extreme Health Complications from E. coli Infections

While an E. coli infection most commonly results in food poisoning/gastrointestinal issues, roughly 5 to 10% of patients suffer severe health complications as well, including:

• Pneumonia,
• UTIs,
• Sepsis,
• HUS (which can cause kidney failure, permanent health conditions, heart failure, and death),
• And meningitis.

Those most at risk for severe E. coli infections include:

• Children under 5,
• Adults 65 and older,
• Diabetics,
• Cancer patients,
• Those with weakened immune systems.

According to the CDC website, you should immediately seek medical attention for an E. coli infection if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
  • Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
  • Bloody diarrhea
• So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, such as:
  • Not peeing much
  • Dry mouth and throat
  • Feeling dizzy when standing up

E. coli Infection Lawsuits

Unlike other types of lawsuits, you do not have to prove negligence to file a claim for an E. coli infection. Products in the U.S. must be safe, so all you need to prove to file a claim is that:

• The defendant sold or distributed the product,
• The product was contaminated with E. coli,
• You consumed the product,
• The product caused your infection.

In order to sue for an illness or death caused by an E. coli infection, you must be able to prove where you got the infection from. This is usually done through recall alerts from the FDA or the CDC. State health departments may also interview you about your food history to determine the source of the infection, and some people determine the source by talking to others who were also sick.

You can talk to a Carabin Shaw attorney about your case for free to find out if you have grounds for a claim and what legal options are available to you at 800-862-1260.

Who Can You Sue for an E. coli Infection?

There are multiple parties who may be responsible for your illness, depending on how you were infected. Examples of responsible parties can include:

• Restaurant Owners,
• Food Manufacturers,
• Processing Companies,
• Grocery Stores,
• Packagers,
• Suppliers,
• Petting Zoos,
• And Schools.

Any party involved at any point in the process may be held jointly responsible for your illness. You must be able to prove their involvement definitively, which can be done with the help of an attorney.

What Damages Can be Claimed in an E. coli Lawsuit?

The damages in an E. coli lawsuit seek to compensate you for losses caused by the illness or wrongful death and can include things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Medical Bills,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Future Medical Care,
• Missed Work,
• Loss of Earning Capacity,
• Burial Costs,
• And More.

What damages you will receive will reflect the losses you suffered and to what extent they impacted your life.

Get Help for Your E. coli Infection in Texas — Call Shaw!

If you or your child were made extremely ill or you lost a loved one to an E. coli infection, you could be entitled to compensation.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 today to schedule your free case evaluation with a Carabin Shaw attorney. No fees, no obligations, just the expert legal advice you need. We’re a trusted name in Texas because we put our clients first. We look forward to serving you.

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¹CDC on E. coli

²Current E. coli outbreaks (CDC)