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E. coli Outbreak Associated with Barbecue for Volunteer Fire Stations

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

Saturday, September 13, 2008, the community of Forest Ranch, California gathered for a benefit barbecue for volunteer fire Station 24 and Station 23. What attendees did not know was that deadly E. coli bacteria had contaminated some of the food. According to Butte County health officials, at least 13 people were sickened, 4 of them seriously. 

Two people are still hospitalized, one of them a child. E. coli infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness that can cause kidney failure, pancreatitis, brain damage and damage to other organs. We are representing E. coli victims who developed HUS and have recently recovered compensation for families of E. coli victims who died after developing HUS. Attorney Fred Pritzker recently spent two days in an intensive care unit with a family whose loved one was in a HUS-associated coma.

Most of the E. coli outbreaks in the last several months have been linked to beef products. One of the outbreaks was linked to beef tri-tip. One of the food items served was beef tri-tip sandwiches. Health investigators have not yet associated this outbreak to the beef tri-tip sandwiches or any other food source. Interviews and tests should shed light on what caused this outbreak. If the beef tri-tip is the source of the E. coli outbreak, the processor, distributor and retailer of the meat may be liable for any injuries caused by the contaminated meat. Contact attorney Fred Pritzker for more information about liability for E. coli-associated illness.

The following is an upbeat report of the benefit barbecue in Forest Ranch found on the Forest Ranch Community Association Web site that is dated September 19, 2008, days before health officials reported the E. coli outbreak associated with the event:

Saturday morning, the air was filled with anticipation as members from the community and Station 24 and Station 23 came together to set up for the Benefit BBQ. . . Inside Station 24, members of the Women's Club were arranging pies, cakes, cookies. . . Members of Mountain Joy Bible Fellowship were busy in the kitchen getting the food ready for the day. Many folks who came enjoyed the Tri-tip sandwiches, hot dogs, chili, BBQ Chicken Breast, veggie burgers and salad. The magic hour of noon came and the event was on underway.

With the Butte County Health Department, we encourage people to wash their hands to help prevent secondary spread of E. coli.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on September 19, 2008 (boomark / email).