Tainted Meat & E.Coli Outbreaks

Outbreaks of food poisoning from tainted hamburgers and other ground meat, often caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), continue to plague regions of the country at shockingly frequent intervals. Massachusetts is not immune from such outbreaks, witnessing numerous large-scale recalls from grocery chains and meat packing companies over the years. Unfortunately, such recalls only occur after a segment of the population has begun to display symptoms of E. coli infection. If you or a family member has fallen ill from tainted meat that was produced, bought, or consumed in Massachusetts, you need an experienced attorney by your side to help you recover.

One reason for the prevalence of E. coli in ground beef is, in fact, that the bacteria can live in healthy cattle. E. coli spreads when intestinal and fecal matter from cows contaminates meat in slaughterhouses, and ground meat is particularly susceptible to E. coli outbreaks where the meat from several animals is ground together. Restaurant patrons or grocery shoppers, including those who have packed away ground beef in their freezers, are prime targets of unpredictable E. coli outbreaks. A restaurant or grocery store that sells contaminated meat before infectious E. coli has been detected may thus infect a large portion of the population, resulting in increased hospitalizations and sometimes even death. Although ground beef is the most prevalent source of E. coli contamination, it has also been linked to products such as venison, sausage, salami, milk, and spinach. Adding to the gravity of its danger is the fact that E. coli can survive for several days on countertops and other surfaces.

Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to developing symptoms of E. coli infection. These symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and ultimately even serious blood problems, kidney failure, and death. Infectious strains of E. coli can also lead to the development of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that results in hospitalization. To protect you and your family from E. coli outbreaks, remain vigilant to news alerts from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS). Note that, although Salmonella infections often result from contaminated poultry, strains of antibiotic-resistant strains of Salmonella bacteria may also be found in meat products as well.

The Greater Boston law firm of Altman & Altman, LLP, has provided clients with exceptional legal representation throughout Massachusetts for over four decades. Our attorneys will handle every aspect of your Massachusetts E. coli or tainted food claim or lawsuit, and will not hesitate to take your case to trial if an acceptable settlement agreement cannot be reached.

If you or a loved one is have fallen ill from eating tainted meat that was slaughtered, sold, or consumed in Massachusetts, contact us to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced tainted meat and E. coli attorney. The attorneys at the Boston and Cambridge law firm of Altman & Altman, LLP, pride themselves in their accessibility to clients. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199 (toll-free). You may also contact us online. Please note that we represent all victims of E. coli illness on a contingency fee basis, which means that we charge no fee unless you recover.