Salmonella Oranienburg Outbreak Still Under Investigation As Lawsuits are Filed by Salmonella Attorneys.
It’s been just over 5 months since the Salmonella Oranienburg outbreak was first announced by federal health officials and people continue to suffer from salmonella infections. With nearly 900 American’s alone suffering from salmonella illnesses caused by the salmonella outbreak linked to white and yellow Mexican onions, many people wonder when we will receive more information on the updated number of affected people and the investigation of the contaminated products. The most recent information provided by federal state officials was released on November 16, 2021. In their report Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials stated that the true number of people affected by the outbreak is much greater than the cases reported, and with the outbreak still ongoing, it raises the question “Should people still be on the lookout for the contaminated onions?” and “Can people still get sick from eating white and yellow Mexican onions?”
Who Sold the Contaminated Onions?
The distributers ProSource Produce LLC and Keeler Family Farms were named as the two primary companies that received the imported onions from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, between July 1, 2021, and August 31, 2021. A large number of recalls were also issued by companies who received the contaminated onions from the two distributers. Some of the companies involved in the recalls sold and delivered ready-to-eat meals containing the contaminated yellow and white onions to consumers throughout the US.
The onions contaminated with salmonella bacteria were sold by retailers nationwide under many different brand names. Some of the brands listed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were Big Bull, Peak Fresh Produce, Markon, Sierra Madre, Rio Blue, Rio Valley, ProSource, and Sysco Imperial. Following the first wave of recalls, Hello Fresh and EveryPlate announced that batches of ready-to-eat meals containing the recalled onions were distributed to customers from July to September in 2021. The final recall was announced by the Ontario Canada-based company Pier-C Produce Inc. on November 4th, 2021. Although the investigation of the Salmonella Orenburg outbreak is still underway no new recalls have been issued.
How Bad was the Salmonella Oranienburg Outbreak?
The true number of people affected by the Salmonella Oranienburg Outbreak is still unknown as a large portion of people who became ill may have opted out of seeking medical attention or may have been improperly diagnosed. According to Health Department Officials, a total of 892 cases were reported to federal health agencies through the US. Canada Health Agencies also stated that people in several provinces had also suffered from the same Salmonella Oranienburg strain, although no specific number has been publicly announced. Out of people who suffered from the salmonella strain of the outbreak nearly 200 individuals required hospitalization due to the severity of their symptoms. Thankfully no deaths were reported due to the contaminated onions but in the last reported update on the outbreak the CDC stated:
“The true number of sick people in an outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.”
Laboratory-confirmed cases linked to the Salmonella Oranienburg Outbreak were reported from 38 different states, but a majority of the illnesses were reported from 4 State’s Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Maryland. Texas led in lab-confirmed cases with more than 200 illnesses being reported by local health officials, followed by Oklahoma which reported 114 cases. Virginia, and Maryland both reported just over 60 cases each.
Were there Legal Repercussions?
Multiple onion lawsuits were filed on behalf of the victims who suffered illnesses caused by the contaminated imported Mexican onions. The nation’s first reported lawsuit was filed on behalf of an Idaho resident who was hospitalized after suffering symptoms caused by the salmonella infection. The lawsuit on his behalf was filed by the salmonella lawyers at the Ron Simon & Associates, National Food Poisoning, Law Firm. The salmonella lawyers at RSAA is currently representing a multitude of victims who have suffered illnesses due to the salmonella contaminated onions.
In a recent press release the lead salmonella attorney, Mr. Simon, stated:
“Many outbreaks are eventually linked to produce that is imported from companies that do not operate under the strict guidelines imposed by the FDA domestically. We will be using this and similar lawsuits to understand how this happened and to work to prevent future outbreaks.”
The Ron Simon and Associates Law Firm also went on to file another lawsuit on behalf of a Texas couple who experience a traumatic experience after coming into contact with the recalled onions. In the press release announcing the lawsuit, Mr. Simon detailed that after becoming ill from eating the contaminated onions the couple was forced to seek out medical attention. The wife sadly required extensive hospitalization, and they are both still recovering from the incident.
Can I still Seek Legal Representation?
Many individuals who suffered from salmonella infections caused by the contaminated onions are still experiencing lingering symptoms. With the outbreak investigation still ongoing the possibility that the number of cases linked to the outbreak continues to increase is still possible. People who were affected by the outbreak may be wondering if it is too late for them to act and seek legal representation, but they need to know that there is still time. According to Dr. Anthony Coveny, a food poisoning lawyer with RSAA, “most states allow claims to be brought for two or more years, though not always, and hence it is always best to bring a salmonella lawsuit earlier rather than later to preserve evidence, get in line early when their are multiple claimants, and to received the just compensation you are entitled to in a timely manner. The claim’s process can take some tome to navigate.”
Seeking legal compensation for traumatic injuries such as the ones experienced by those that were affected by the Salmonella Oranienburg Outbreak does not have to be a difficult experience. Mr. Simon stated in one of his press releases that his law firm has established a Salmonella Claim Center to assist victims of the outbreak. The Salmonella Claim Center can be reached toll-free at 1-888-335-4901, or either https://www.onionsalmonellalawsuit.com/ or https://www.salmonellaoutbreaklawsuit.com/. Finding the right help when it comes to legal matters can make all the difference between receiving proper compensation and being taken advantage of by insurance companies who don’t consider a person’s well-being.
