E. Coli and Wrongful Death
E. Coli or Escherichia coli is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestinal tract of warm blooded mammals, including humans. There are around seven hundred different types of E. Coli bacteria. While many are harmless or even beneficial to our digestive tracts, some produce a toxin known as shiga. This can cause serious health problems when people consume food or water that is contaminated with it. In some extreme cases, these problems can even prove fatal.
How E. Coli is Spread
It is estimated that two thousand American citizens suffer from E. Coli infections every year. Of that number, sixty people die from E. Coli complications. Almost 85% of E. Coli infections are food borne, meaning that people contracted the bacteria by eating contaminated foods. E. Coli outbreaks have been traced back to contaminations of many different kinds of food, including:
- Ground beef
- Sausages
- Dried salami
- Unpasteurized milk and cheese
- Unpasteurized cider and apple juice
- Orange Juice
- Lettuce
- Venison
- Spinach
All of these types of product have been recalled by the Food and Drug Administration for E. Coli contamination at different points in time. The food we consume should be healthy and nutritious for us. Unfortunately, if it is negligently prepared, stored, or shipped, it can actually be dangerous.
Contact Us
If you know of a loved one that has suffered from a wrongful death to E. Coli contamination, then you may be able to pursue compensation from a negligent food manufacturer. If you have any more questions about wrongful death and E. Coli contamination, contact Pennsylvania wrongful death lawyers Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 610-667-7511.