Rochester, New York, HUS Injury Lawyers: Tips For Prevention

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Is Recognized as A New York Super Lawyer. If You, or a Loved One, Were Diagnosed with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome After Eating Contaminated Food at a Rochester Restaurant, The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Could Help You Secure the Compensation You Need.

Foodborne illness remains a critical public health hazard. Each year, an estimated 48 million Americans get sick after eating contaminated food. Although food poisoning has a variety of potential causes, it is often attributable to bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections. Several strains of E. coli are responsible for a disproportionate share of diagnoses. E. coli infections typically present few symptoms. In most cases, people who have ingested E. coli bacteria will experience only mild discomfort. However, some strains of E. coli—called Shiga toxin-producing E.coli, or STEC—can enter the bloodstream, damaging the blood vessels and impairing the kidneys’ ability to purge the body of toxins and excess waste.

While Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections are rarely serious, they sometimes progress into Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, an uncommon but serious disease that causes the destruction of red blood cells and can lead to kidney failure. Anyone can develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, but it usually affects young children, elderly adults, and people with immune system disorders. Children are particularly vulnerable, with scientists finding that this condition could increase their risk of renal failure. Most foodborne illnesses—including Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome—are preventable. Restaurants can often protect patrons from diseases like Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome by simply implementing and following common-sense safety protocols. Unfortunately, not every business takes its legal obligation seriously. When restaurants and food service providers fail to maintain hygienic premises, they could endanger their customers’ health and well-being.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has spent decades fighting for the rights of Rochester residents who have been injured by restaurants’ negligence. If you, or a loved one, have suffered a Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome injury in or around Monroe County, you could be entitled to significant compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. knows what it takes to hold businesses accountable for their misconduct. We could help you construct a compelling, evidence-based claim for recompense, advocating for your best interests in insurance negotiations and in court. Please send us a message online or call us at (585) 939-3939 today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.

The University of Rochester Medical Center has found that Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is usually caused by exposure to E. coli-contaminated:

1. Unpasteurized milk;
2. Raw milk;
3. Unwashed raw fruit;
4. Unwashed raw vegetables;
5. Juice; and
6. Undercooked meat.

However, E. coli infections can also spread through:

1. Other contaminated meat and produce;
2. Lakes, swimming pools, and other bodies of water containing fecal matter; and
3. Close contact with an infected person, such as a family member or classmate.

Scientists believe that Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome can, in some instances, also be transmitted through inheritable genetic mutations. However, most cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome can be traced back to exposure to contaminated food, drink, or water. Irrespective of its cause, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome could require intensive medical intervention. Since Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome cannot be cured, physicians treat this disease by mitigating its symptoms rather than seeking to eradicate it outright. If you, or a loved one, are hospitalized with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, you may require the following:

1. Intravenous fluids;
2. Nutritional supplements through a feeding tube; or
3. Blood transfusions.

Kidney specialists estimate that about 50% of patients diagnosed with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome will require short-term kidney replacement treatment such as dialysis. Patient recovery times vary between days and months. In some cases, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome causes irreversible damage to the kidney and other organs, such as the pancreas and brain. You should not have to bear the costs of an expensive medical recovery alone. If you suspect that a restaurant or other food vendor’s negligence caused your Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome illness injuries, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. could help you hold them accountable in court. Please call Jed Dietrich, Esq., at (585) 939-3939 to schedule your no-charge consultation and begin exploring your options for legal relief.

Sometimes E. coli-infected produce and meat will look, smell, and feel rotten. However, foodborne pathogens like Shiga toxin-producing E. coli do not always have telltale signs. You could protect yourself, and your loved ones, from E. coli-related diseases like Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome by:

1. Avoiding raw milk products;
2. Avoiding unpasteurized juice and cider;
3. Washing your hands before eating;
4. Washing your hands after using the restroom;
5. Washing your hands after changing diapers;
6. Cleaning cooking utensils and food surfaces before use;
7. Defrosting meat in the microwave or refrigerator before serving;
8. Preventing cross-contamination by storing raw produce separate from ready-to-serve produce;
9. Storing meat below other produce in the refrigerator to avoid leaking and seepage; and
10. Only swimming in clean bodies of water.

Under New York law, restaurants and other food service businesses are expected to take similar, common-sense measures to ensure that customers are not inadvertently exposed to E. coli-containing pathogens. They are required to:

1. Maintain a Safe Environment: Restaurants must maintain a safe environment by complying with New York’s Food Safety Code.
2. Serve Safe Meals: Food vendors may serve only safe meals. For example, a restaurant cannot typically serve customers raw or uncooked meat.
3. Mitigate and Eliminate Unreasonable Hazards: Business owners must proactively identify, mitigate, and eliminate unreasonable hazards that could pose a risk to the safety and well-being of employees, customers, and the general public. For example, a restaurant should not serve meat that has been stored in a faulty refrigerator incapable of maintaining cool temperatures.

When businesses fail to abide by the state’s expectations, they risk exposing customers to foodborne illnesses. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s team of highly experienced attorneys understands that recovering from Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome can present unexpected complications—complications that could threaten your financial independence and make it difficult to enjoy everyday life. However, you do not have to suffer in silence. Since founding the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. in 2005, Jed Dietrich, Esq., has helped his clients secure more than $175 million in damages. Recognized as a Super Lawyer and Best Lawyer of America, Jed Dietrich, Esq., is committed to providing unparalleled personal injury service. Let us help you: please send us a message online or call us at (585) 939-3939 to speak to a legal professional and schedule your consultation as soon as possible.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (585) 939-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Rochester, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!