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Your Listeria Attorney

In Massachusetts Food Poisoning Cases

If you think you have been exposed to the Listeria bacteria in food and have suffered from a Listeriosis infection as a result, contact one of the experienced Listeria attorneys at Mazow|McCullough of MA. Listeriosis caused by contaminated food typically affects infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and adults with compromised immune systems, but anyone can become infected. We understand how a potentially lethal Listeria infection can impact individuals and families, and our attorneys have amassed years of experience in successfully prosecuting food poisoning cases for our clients.

Call our Essex County, MA office today for a free consultation.

(978) 744-8000

What is Listeria?

Listeria is not one bacteria, but rather a genus of bacteria that contains seven distinct species. All of the Listeria varieties are found in soil, and animals may also be carriers for Listeria. Consequently, Listeriosis infections tend to be associated with food – particularly raw foods, though contamination may take place after foods have been pasteurized, cooked, and packaged.

The variety known as L. monocytogenes is the most common cause of Listeriosis in human beings. Most people's bodies will fight off a Listeria infection without the infected individual ever realizing they have consumed contaminated food, but this is not the case in individuals with weakened immune systems or other health problems. Even so, the prognosis in Listeriosis infection is usually good in patients without secondary risk factors, but rises rapidly to a 25% fatality rate in patients with risk factors.

How Do I Get a Listeria Infection?

Listeriosis occurs when people ingest Listeria bacteria living on or in raw meats and vegetables, uncooked fruits, unpasteurized milk and products made from unpasteurized milk, and ready-to-eat processed foods such as hot dogs and deli meats. Additionally, inadvertent ingestion can occur when someone comes into contact with soil, stream water, plants, or sewage that contains the bacteria.

While Listeriosis is by no means common, with an incidence rate of only 7 out of 1,000,000 otherwise healthy people, the foods most often contaminated with the bacteria are very common. These include:

  • Sliced deli meats
  • Hot dogs
  • Fresh pâtés or meat spreads
  • Soft cheeses such as queso fresco, Feta, Brie, and Camembert
  • Refrigerated smoked seafood
  • Raw sprouts

The most recent Listeria outbreak involved contaminated cantaloupe and in that outbreak, many people fell sick and 25 died. In 1998, a Listeria outbreak caused by contaminated hot dogs and deli meats took 21 lives.

Symptoms of Listeria Infection

The symptoms of Listeria can take up to two months to appear because its incubation period ranges from three to seventy days. Symptoms can include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Muscle aches
  • Stiff neck
  • Confusion
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Weakness
  • Vomiting

If you believe you have been infected by Listeria, visit your doctor and ask him or her to test your blood for the bacteria. Treatment typically involves a course of IV antibiotics, but most cases of Listeriosis are treated on a case-by-case basis.

How We Handle Listeria Cases

If you have been infected by Listeria, your health care provider will likely alert the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to the possibility of an outbreak. The Department of Public Health will contact the Center for Disease Control (CDC). At that point, the CDC will investigate the claim to determine the source of the outbreak and determine whether any recalls are necessary.

When you hire the Listeria lawyers at Mazow|McCullough, we proactively reach out to the appropriate authorities to gather whatever public information is available. In every case of food borne illness we handle, we collect all of the medical documentation, interview medical treating providers, retain necessary experts such as endocrinologists, and work with you to ensure that the proper defendants are held accountable.

Contact a Listeria Lawyer in MA

Contact the Massachusetts Listeria attorneys at Mazow|McCullough, PC today if you think you have been affected by Listeriosis caused by contaminated food.

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When you or a family member has been affected by a foodborne illness such as E.coli, you want to ensure that you have the proper representation. Do not trust such a case to an attorney that simply dabbles in personal injury. Trust your case to E. coli lawyers who are experienced with this specialized brand of litigation.

Contact us at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We make every effort to return phone calls and e-mail inquiries promptly.

  • Flexible appointments are available upon request
  • Se Habla Español. Interpreters available if needed.
Call Today: 978-744-8000