E. Coli Frequently Asked Questions, Lawsuit Information, Beef Recall Attorney, Contaminated Meat, Food Poisoning Lawyer

What is E. coli O157:H7?
Although most strains are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a strain of the bacterium coli that produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness. E. coli O157:H7 was first recognized as a cause of illness in 1982 during an outbreak of severe bloody diarrhea; the outbreak was traced to contaminated hamburgers. Since then, most infections have come from eating undercooked ground beef. The combination of letters and numbers in the name of the bacterium refers to the specific markers found on its surface and distinguishes it from other types of E. coli.

Why were Topps meats recalled?
In September 2007, Elizabeth, N.J.-based Topps Meat Company announced a recall of boxes of frozen hamburgers it distributed. The first recall was for more than 330,000 pounds of frozen beef patties and 21 products that were distributed nationwide. A later recall was for nearly 22 million pounds of products after illnesses were reported in eight states.

Topps, the leading U.S. manufacturer of frozen hamburgers, has yet to uncover the contamination source.

How does the E. coli get into meat?
The organism can be found on a small number of cattle farms and can live in the intestines of healthy cattle. Meat can become contaminated during slaughter, and organisms can be thoroughly mixed into beef when it is ground. Bacteria present on the cow's udders or on equipment may get into raw milk.

Eating meat, especially ground beef, that has not been cooked sufficiently to kill E. coli O157:H7 can cause infection. Contaminated meat looks and smells normal. Although the number of organisms required to cause disease is not known, it is suspected to be very small.

What happens if you’re infected with E. coli O157:H7?
E. coli O157:H7 infection often causes severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps; sometimes the infection causes nonbloody diarrhea or no symptoms. Usually little or no fever is present, and the illness resolves in 5 to 10 days.

Bacteria in diarrheal stools of infected persons can be passed from one person to another if hygiene or handwashing habits are inadequate. This is particularly likely among toddlers who are not toilet trained. Family members and playmates of these children are at high risk of becoming infected.

Young children typically shed the organism in their feces for a week or two after their illness resolves. Older children rarely carry the organism without symptoms.

In a small percentage of people, particularly children under 5 years of age and the elderly, the infection can also cause a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome, in which the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail. In the United States, hemolytic uremic syndrome is the principal cause of acute kidney failure in children, and most cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome are caused by E. coli O157:H7.

I think I ate some of that Topps meat, and feel sick. How is the illness diagnosed?
Infection with E. coli O157:H7 is diagnosed by detecting the bacterium in the stool. Most laboratories that culture stool do not test for E. coli O157:H7, so it is important to request that the stool specimen be tested on sorbitol-MacConkey (SMAC) agar for this organism. All people who suddenly have diarrhea with blood should get their stool tested for E. coli O157:H7.

How is the illness treated?
Most people recover without antibiotics or other specific treatment in 5-10 days. There is no evidence that antibiotics improve the course of disease, and it is thought that treatment with some antibiotics may precipitate kidney complications. Antidiarrheal agents, such as loperamide (Imodium), should also be avoided.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a life-threatening condition usually treated in an intensive care unit. Blood transfusions and kidney dialysis are often required. With intensive care, the death rate for hemolytic uremic syndrome is 3 percent-5 percent.

How can I prevent being infected in the first place?
Always wash your hands with soap and warm water before preparing foods. Wash fresh produce under running water before eating or cooking, even if you are peeling it, and use a produce brush when possible. Dry produce with a paper towel or clean cloth towel. Avoid eating raw sprouts because rinsing will not remove bacteria from them. Keep fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw separate from all other foods, and use separate utensils, cutting boards and dishes for them.

Cook ground beef until the thickest part or the center is no longer pink. If served an undercooked hamburger, send it back for additional cooking and ask for a clean plate and new bun. Do not drink untreated water, and avoid swallowing water in a lake or swimming pool. Only drink pasteurized milk, juice and cider. Don't eat in restaurants that appear dirty, as this may be a sign of poor worker hygiene.

My family was infected with E. coli after eating Topps beef. Do I need to have the meat in order to sue?
No. In order to confirm E. coli, health officials should have taken stool samples. Tests on the stool samples provide a genetic fingerprint of the strain of E. coli that has made the victims of the outbreak sick. Each E. coli outbreak has its own unique strain of E. coli bacteria. If the E. coli bacteria that made you sick has the outbreak’s genetic fingerprints, your case is confirmed as part of the outbreak.

What damages can I ask for in a Topps E. coli lawsuit?
In a food poisoning lawsuit, you can usually ask for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and emotional distress. If someone dies from food poisoning, some states do not allow claims for pain and suffering and emotional distress. In those states, it may still be possible to obtain significant compensation for loss of comfort and companionship.

E. coli FAQ