Listeria Food Poisoning
Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacterium that, when ingested, can lead to a serious and potentially deadly infection known as listeriosis.
Typically, a person becomes infected with listeria after they’ve eaten contaminated foods, such as uncooked meats and vegetables, unpasteurized milk, processed foods, and fruit.
Officials realized the serious effects of listeria in 2011, when contaminated cantaloupes killed at least 23 people. If you, or someone you love, became sickened by Listeria food poisoning, contact Edgar Snyder & Associates today for a free legal evaluation. You may have a case.
What Are the Symptoms of Listeria Food Poisoning and Listeriosis?
While Listeriosis mostly affects older adults, pregnant woman, newborns, and those with weakened immune systems, it can sicken anyone.
The symptoms for listeriosis vary depending on the person who has been infected.
For pregnant women:
- Mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, nausea, and vomiting
- Infections during pregnancy can also lead to miscarriage, still birth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening disease in the baby
For high and low-risk individuals who aren’t pregnant:
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Diarrhea
Symptoms usually last for a few weeks for healthy individuals who are not pregnant and do not require treatment. However, high-risk individuals with persistent symptoms may require antibiotic treatment.
Pregnant Women: Foods to Avoid Listeria Contamination
You can help reduce your risk of being sickened by Listeria by using good food hygiene. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating. Don’t eat raw or partially cooked meat or seafood. Eat all leftovers within 12 hours of cooking, or freeze them for a later time. Follow more food safety tips to prevent food poisoning.
There are a few types of food you should avoid during pregnancy, because they are at risk for Listeria contamination, including:
- Soft white cheeses (feta, brie, ricotta, etc.)
- Pâté
- Unpasteurized dairy products
- Cold meats
- Raw seafood such as oysters
- Smoked seafood (canned is okay)
- Pre-packed and prepared salads
- Soft-serve ice cream
- Cold foods from a salad bar or buffet
What Should I Do if I’ve Been Sickened by Listeria?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, seek medical help immediately. Even though listeria food poisoning is rare, it can be deadly, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
When receiving treatment, ask your doctor to order a blood or spinal fluid test to look for the bacteria’s presence. Additionally, if you believe you were infected by contaminated food you may have purchased at a grocery store, save the packaging, receipt, and UPC code. The packaging can be tested for the bacteria, the receipt will confirm where you bought the item, and the UPC code will help track any other contaminated goods.
Since listeria poisoning can be deadly, you should also contact your local health department and give them any information you may have about a potential outbreak or contamination.
Then, contact the Pennsylvania law firm of Edgar Snyder & Associates. You may have suffered serious side effects from listeriosis, and you may have piles of medical bills and missed work time. If you were pregnant when you became infected, your baby may have even died as a result. The pain and suffering of losing a child…how can you put a dollar amount on such a tragedy?
Rely on Our Experienced Food Poisoning Attorneys
At Edgar Snyder & Associates we’ve helped many people who suffered serious side effects from food poisoning. We’ve seen victims go through the pain, frustration, and financial struggles. For those who lost a loved one as a result of food poisoning, we know no amount of money can replace what you’ve lost. But, out attorneys how important it is to get justice for food poisoning victims and to help them get the compensation they need to move on with their lives.
If you or a loved one is a victim of Listeriosis food poisoning, you need a legal team with the experience and resources necessary to successfully pursue a food poisoning case. From the moment you hire Edgar Snyder & Associates, we go to work for you, gathering evidence and proving your case.
And remember, there’s never a fee unless we get money for you. We guarantee it.
Victim of Listeria Food Poisoning? Get a Free Legal Consultation
Call 1-866-9-4EDGAR (1-866-943-3427), or fill out the form at the top right of this webpage for a no obligation, free legal evaluation. You tell us the situation that led to your Listeriosis food poisoning, and we’ll tell you if we think you have a case. Contact us today – before evidence disappears and it’s too late.
