Recent Salmonella Outbreak, Egg Recall is Largest in United States History.

After people throughout the United States experienced an outbreak of Salmonella Poisoning, the infectious bacteria has been traced back to the egg distribution company Wright County Egg of Galt.  This company distributes eggs to California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa under multiple brand names.  According to the Chicago Daily Herald, the outbreak may have sickened as many as 1,300 people.  Congress has subpoenaed the owner of Wright County Egg of Galt, Austin DeCoster, to testify regarding the outbreak.

Illnesses have been reported in Minnesota, California, and Wisconsin as a result of the salmonella outbreak.  Symptoms of salmonella bacteria can include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.  It can be fatal to children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems.  The best way for people to protect themselves from the salmonella outbreak is to either throw away or take recalled eggs back to the store.

The FDA is working to create legislation that will mandate egg producers to purchase only salmonella free chicks and have producer houses test for salmonella.  The FDA encourages consumers to take the following steps to stay safe from salmonella:

1. Refrigerate all eggs.
2. Make sure to use eggs within 3 weeks of purchasing them.
3. When cooking eggs, make sure to cook until the yolk is firm (not runny).
4. Cook all foods with egg in them thoroughly.

If you have been injured by the recent salmonella outbreak, Davis & Gelshenen can help.  Call toll free at 1-866-427-2121 for a FREE CONSULTATION with one of our experienced attorneys or email Partner John J. Gelshenen, Jr. at jgelshenen@dgattorneys.com.

Have You Been Affected by the Recent Legionnaires’ Outbreak?

Cudahy, Wis. –A Legionnaires’  Outbreak at St. Luke’s South Shore Hospital infected 8 people with the deadly water borne bacteria during the months of February and March of 2010.   The Hospital’s decorative waterfall has been identified as the bacteria source.  If you or someone you know has been injured by this outbreak please contact Davis & Gelshenen LLP at 1-866-427-2121 for more information.

What is Legionnaires’ Disease?  Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling legionella bacteria.  If left untreated, the disease can lead to respiratory failure, septic shock, and acute kidney failure.  People most susceptible to the disease are older adults, smokers, and people with already weakened immune systems.  Symptoms of the disease develop between 2 and 14 days of exposure and can include headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, as well as confusion and changes in mental ability (Mayo Clinic).

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that every year, “between 8,000 and 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires’.”  However, it is believed that many occurrences are under reported due to the rare nature of the disease (CDC).

Legionella bacteria thrives in damp warm environments, yet rarely causes harm in nature.  Legionella bacteria thrives in man-made environments such as pipes, faucets, and shower heads.  Outbreaks have historically been linked to whirlpools on cruise ships, cooling towers in AC Units, decorative fountains, swimming pools, physical therapy equipment, and water systems in hotels, hospitals, and retirement homes (Mayo Clinic).

If you have been injured by the recent Legionnaires’ Disease outbreak at St. Luke’s South Shore Hospital or any other medical injury due to the negligence of a hospital, contact Atty. John Gelshenen toll free at 1-866-427-2121 or email him at jgelshenen@dgattorneys.com for a free consultation.

Seatbelt Use Makes For Safer Roads In July

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports that increased seatbelt use has been a catalyst for fewer driving fatalities in Wisconsin.  This July, we have seen the second lowest crash fatalities for the month since 1944.

Dennis Hughes, the chief of safety programs for the Bureau of Transportation safety reported that “A major reason why traffic fatalities are low is that safety belt use has reached an all-time high in Wisconsin.”   According to Mr. Hughes, part of this trend can be related to the new seatbelt laws passed in Wisconsin last year allowing police officers to stop drivers for not wearing their seatbelt.  Approximately 79% of drivers in Wisconsin are buckling up.

Make sure to buckle up when you’re on the road.  Let’s keep Wisconsin safe!