Earlier this month, a Brenham, Texas-based ice cream manufacturer, Blue Bell, voluntarily recalled all of its products over concerns that they may contain a strain of the listeria bacteria. According to a report by USA Today, Blue Bell first discovered that some of its half-gallon containers of cookie dough ice cream had been contaminated. Since then, the company has recalled all its products in fear that others may have also been contaminated.
Evidently, the potentially contaminated products were shipped across the United States, including to the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wyoming.
A spokesperson for Blue Bell told reporters that the contaminated products originated from both the Brenham, Texas plant as well as the plant in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The spokesperson also explained that listeria can cause serious infections especially in those with weak immune systems, including both children and elderly individuals. In addition to these extremely serious symptoms, listeria can also cause short-term symptoms such as headaches, fevers, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, and stiffness. Perhaps most frighteningly, however, listeria infections can actually result in miscarriages and stillbirths among women who are pregnant.
If you have purchased any Blue Bell product, you should return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.
Food-Borne Illness Cases in Illinois
After ingesting contaminated food and suffering from a serious case of food poisoning, a person can end up with exorbitant medical bills and a substantial amount of time away from work. More importantly, they almost certainly suffered a great deal throughout the duration of their illness. For these reason, Illinois courts allow for the victims of food poisoning to file suit against those responsible for making them ill. Every case is different, but it is not uncommon for a successful plaintiff to receive an award for past medical bills, future medical expenses, and lost wages, as well as compensation for their pain and suffering.
An Illinois product liability lawsuit is based on the legal theory of negligence, which must be proven by a plaintiff before they are entitled to recover. This can be tricky, given the perishable nature of food and the fact that most people do not keep detailed logs of all the foods they consume. However, with the assistance of a dedicated Illinois personal injury attorney, you may be able to make out a strong case for recovery.
Have You Suffered from a Food-Borne Illness?
If you or a loved one has recently suffered from a serious food-borne illness, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. However, prior to filing suit against the party you believe to be responsible, it is best to speak with a dedicated Illinois personal injury attorney to make sure that nothing is overlooked, including the naming of additional defendants. Depending on the specifics of your case, potentially liable parties may include the manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, and anyone else in the product’s chain of distribution. To learn more about Illinois food poisoning cases, and to set up a free consultation to discuss your case, contact us.