Food needs to be thoroughly cooked and safely stored to prevent contamination. One of the most common foodborne illnesses reported today is salmonella—a bacteria that can cause symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Renal Failure
- Death
The bacteria is responsible for an outbreak that affected hundreds of patrons of a North Carolina barbecue restaurant. Reports from Food Safety News indicate that as many as 262 people have fallen ill after eating at the Lexington facility, and one patron died as a result of the exposure.
The restaurant closed in the wake of the outbreak, but reopened on July 1.
A majority of victims began experiencing symptoms on Tuesday, June 16. One-fifth of the victims were treated by their doctors, while another 19 percent required hospital care. At least six of the victims have filed a lawsuit in connection to the outbreak.
At HensonFuerst, we understand the physical and financial harm caused by food contamination. Our North Carolina foodborne illness lawyers are hopeful that decisions in these lawsuits help bring closure to victims and their families.