E. coli Lawsuits

E. coli related food poisoning is a serious health concern in the United States. E. coli can lead to hospitalization and even death, especially in the elderly, children and those with weakened immune systems.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting E. coli food poisoning induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know got sick in an outbreak of food poisoning, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

E. Coli Outbreaks & Recalls

November 2024 — Carrots
October 2024 — McDonald’s Quarter Pounders
April 2024 — Walnuts
February 2024 — Raw Farm Cheddar Cheese
August 2023 — San Diego E coli Water Contamination
March 2023 — Elkhorn Valley Packing Boneless Beef Chuck
January 2023 — Fullei Fresh Alfalfa Sprouts
October 2022 — Falafel
September 2022 — HelloFresh Meal Kits with Ground Beef
August 2022 — Wendy’s
August 2022 — Hawaii Big Island Ground Beef
January 2022 — Ground Beef
December 2021 — Organic Power Greens Salad Mix
November 2021 — Spinach
August 2021 — Dole Parsley, Buurma Farms Parsley
July 2021 — Merkley & Sons Ground Beef
May 2021 — PCC Organic Grass-Fed Yogurt
April 2021 — JBS USA – Australian Beef
March 2021 — La Cieba, La Colonia, or Selectos Latinos cheese (queso)
January 2021 — Ground beef
January 2021 — Deadly outbreak, unknown food source
November 2020 — Dole® & Wild Harvest® Organic Romaine Hearts
November 2020 — Fresh Express Caesar Salad
November 2020 — Tanimura & Antle Romaine Lettuce
June 2020 — David B’s Custom Meats Ground Beef
June 2020 — Ground beef
May 2020 — P&S Ravioli Co. (Frozen Beef Ravioli)
March 2020 — Sprouts
February 2020 — Jimmy John’s sandwiches
January 2020 — Cotija cheese
December 2019 — Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Kit Salad
November 2019 — Salad
November 2019 — Ready Pac Bistro Chicken Caesar Salad
November 2019 — New Seasons Market Ground Beef
October 2019 — ShopRite Hamburgers, Kabobs & Gyros
October 2019 — Pride of Florida Beef Steaks, Patties, and Ground Beef
October 2019 — King Arthur All-Purpose Flour
September 2019 — General Mills Gold Medal All-Purpose Flour
July 2019 — Buffalo Burgers & Ground Bison Meat
June 2019 — Pillsbury Flour
June 2019 — King Arthur Flour
May 2019 — ALDI Bakers Corner Flour (5-lb Bags)
May 2019 — Aurora Packing Co. Beef Items
May 2019 — Raw Oysters from Mexico
April 2019 — Ground beef
March 2019 — Aurora Packing Co. Beef Products
December 2018 — Cauliflower
November 2018 — JBS Ground Beef
June 2018 -— Raw Milk from French Broad Farms
April 2018 — Panera Salads with Romaine Lettuce
April 2018 — Romaine Lettuce
January 2018 — Romaine lettuce
March 2017 — SoyNut Butter and Granola
September 2016 — Adams Farm Slaughterhouse
August 2016 — Grassfields Cheese / Whole Foods
July 2016 — PT Farm Ground Beef
July 2016 — Krusteaz Blueberry Pancake Mix
May 2016 — Flour (General Mills Gold Medal and Signature Kitchens)
February 2016 — Alfalfa Sprouts from Jack & The Green Sprouts

What is E. Coli?

There are several types of E. coli bacteria, some which cause no harm to humans and others which can cause serious illness. E. coli O157:H7 is the most prevalent type of E. coli that produces illness in the United States. The CDC has estimated that 85% of E. coli O157:H7 infections are food-borne.

Types of Food Linked to Outbreaks

Foods that have been linked to E. coli contamination include ground beef, venison, sausages, dried salami, unpasteurized milk and cheese, unpasteurized apple juice and cider, orange juice, alfalfa and radish sprouts, lettuce, spinach, and even water.

How Often Does it Cause Illness?

Every year, at least 2000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized and about 60 die as a result of E. coli infections. Food poisoning is usually caused by eating unwashed vegetables or under-cooked meat. In recent years, outbreaks have also been linked to flour, cheese, and nut butters.

Why is E. Coli So Dangerous?

E. coli organisms have several characteristics that make them extremely dangerous. For example, E. coli can survive several weeks on surfaces such as counter tops, and up to a year in some materials like compost. In addition, it takes a very small amount of the bacteria to cause infection.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

One serious complication of E. coli is Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). Approximately 5–10% of people who get sick due to E. coli develop HUS. HUS symptoms include decreased frequency of urination, feeling very tired, and losing pink color in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids.

Complications of HUS

People with HUS must be hospitalized because their kidneys may stop working and they may develop other serious problems. While most people who develop HUS recover within a few weeks, some have permanent kidney damage or require dialysis. The infections are more likely to be fatal in children under 5 years old.

Symptoms of E. Coli

The severity of the illness varies considerably. The symptoms of E. coli infections generally include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. There may also be a low-grade fever. Most people recover within 5–7 days, but it can be fatal. The symptoms may include:

Nausea or vomiting
Severe abdominal cramps, discomfort, or pain
Diarrhea (often very watery or bloody)
Fatigue
Fever
Pale skin
Weakness

Do I have an E. Coli Lawsuit?

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