Shigella Lawyer
Botulism Lawyer
Botulism is caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can produce life-threatening symptoms. We understand the complications that can arise from Botulism poisoning and are here to help. If your claim qualifies, we will work with you to evaluate your case and determine whether you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact us today for a free case consultation!
A Botulism attorney can help you get the compensation you or a loved one deserves.
What is Botulism?
Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a neurotoxin secreted by certain strains of Clostridium botulinum, also known by shorthand form C. botulinum. Foodborne botulism is the most lethal bacterial toxin-mediated foodborne disease, and occurs with relatively low frequency. Botulism is also the only disease of that class for which a specific effective therapy exists (Giannella, 2010).
According to the CDC, there are five main kinds of botulism:
- Foodborne botulism, which is caused by eating foods that contain the toxin;
- Wound botulism, caused by toxin produced from a wound infected with Clostridium botulinum;
- Infant botulism, caused by consuming the spores of the bacteria, which then grow in the intestines and release botulinum toxin;
- Adult intestinal toxemia botulism, also called adult intestinal colonization botulism, which occurs when an adult consumes botulinum bacteria spores which subsequently grow in the intestines and release botulinum toxin;
- Iatrogenic botulism, which results from an accidental overdose of botulinum toxin (CDC, 2010).
What kind of bacteria is Clostridium Botulinum?
Clostridium botulinum is the name of a group of bacteria commonly found in soil. These rod-shaped organisms grow best in low oxygen conditions.
There are seven types of botulism toxin designated by the letters A through G. Only types A, B, E and F cause illness in humans (CDC, 2010). Types A, B, and E cause almost all cases of human botulism; botulism from exposure to a type F strain is very rare (Schwartz and Morgan, 2007). Toxin types C and D generally cause botulism in birds and mammalian animals (Schwartz and Morgan, 2007).
The strain of botulism may determine the severity of the disease. Respiratory failure requiring ventilation occurs significantly more often in cases of type A botulism (Schwartz and Morgan, 2007). Type E botulism requires intubation and mechanical ventilation in the smallest percent of cases; however, it should also be noted that the incubation for type E botulism is substantially shorter than that of other types, and almost all individuals infected with type E
How does Botulism spread?
Botulism is most frequently associated with consumption of low acid fruits, vegetables, and fish canned at home. In this case, “low acid” means that a substance has a pH greater than or equal to 4.4 (Sodha et al., 2010).
Recently, outbreaks of botulism were tied to commercially-distributed canned chili sauce and bottled carrot juice; these botulism outbreaks were the first tied to commercially distributed products in about 20 years (Sodha et al., 2010; CDC, 2006).
How common is Botulism?
In the United States an average of 145 cases of botulism are reported each year (CDC, 2010). Of these, approximately 15% are foodborne, 65% are infant botulism, and the rest are wound botulism (CDC, 2010). Outbreaks of foodborne botulism involving two or more persons generally occur at least once a year and usually result from eating contaminated home-canned foods. The number of cases of foodborne and infant botulism has changed little in recent years, but wound botulism has increased.
What are the symptoms of botulism?
In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food, but they can occur as early as 6 hours or as late as 10 days (CDC, 2010). The amount of time between ingestion and development of symptoms depends on the amount of botulinum toxin ingested: the more toxin ingested, the more quickly symptoms will develop. The first symptoms of botulism generally are gastrointestinal and may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain (Schwartz and Morgan, 2007). After neurological symptoms develop, constipation often develops (Giannella, 2010).
How is botulism diagnosed?
If a patient’s symptoms suggest that they may have botulsim, physicians should consider the possibility that the individual does indeed have the disease. However, these symptoms are often not enough to allow a diagnosis of botulism. In fact, about 10.5% of suspected botulism cases reported to the CDC are ultimately diagnosed as Guillain-Barré syndrome (Schwartz and Morgan, 2007). Other diseases are often commonly confused with botulism: 3.4% of suspected and reported botulism cases end up diagnosed as carbon monoxide poisoning, 3.2% as due to foodborne poisons of unknown etiology, and 3% as staphylococcal food poisoning (Schwartz and Morgan, 2007).
The most direct way to confirm the diagnosis is to demonstrate the botulinum toxin in the patient’s serum or stool by injecting serum or stool into mice and looking for signs of botulism, a process called a mouse bioassay (Reddy and Bleck, 2010).
How can botulism be treated?
Immediately upon forming the suspicion that a patient is suffering from botulism, the treating physician should call the state health department’s 24-hour emergency phone number and report the case to the state’s health department. The health department will then contact the CDC, which will arrange for a clinical consultation via telephone. If the consultation indicates it is warranted and the physician so requests, then the CDC will release botulinum antitoxin (Sodha et al., 2010). The antitoxin binds to botulism toxins type A, B, and E. By binding to the toxins, the antitoxin prevents the botulinum toxin from binding to the receptors on motor nerve terminals (Pigott, 2008).
The paralysis that occurs with severe botulism requires intensive medical and nursing care. After several weeks, the paralysis slowly improves (CDC, 2010).
Physicians may try to remove contaminated food still in the gut by inducing vomiting or by utilizing enemas. Wounds should be treated, usually surgically, to remove the source of the toxin-producing bacteria. Good supportive care in a hospital is the mainstay of therapy for all forms of botulism. Currently, antitoxin is not routinely given for treatment of infant botulism (CDC, 2010).
Are there complications from botulism?
Botulism can result in death due to respiratory failure. However, in the past 50 years, the proportion of patients with botulism who die has fallen from about 50% to 3-5% (CDC, 2010). A patient with severe botulism may require a breathing machine as well as intensive medical and nursing care for several months. Patients who survive an episode of botulism poisoning may have fatigue and shortness of breath for years after the acute illness (CDC, 2010).
How can botulism be prevented?
You can decrease your chances of getting botulism by:
- Boiling home-canned food for 10 minutes prior to eating it;
- Following strict hygienic procedures and using pressure canners and pressure cookers when canning your own food at home;
- Refrigerating oils infused with garlic or herbs;
- Keeping potatoes baked in aluminum foil hot (not just warm) until eaten or refrigerated;
- Not feeding honey to infants under 12 months old;
- Not opening food containers that appear to bulge, as they may contain gas produced by botulinum; and
- Not tasting food that appears to be spoiled.
(CDC, 2010; Reddy and Bleck, 2010; Arnon, 2007).
Botulism Food Poisoning Lawyers
Food poisoning is very common illness that may cause difficulty in breathing. It may cause paralysis and may even lead to death. It may be categorized in various forms and botulism is one of them.
If you or any of your loved one faced botulism because of the third-party negligence, contact a botulism food poisoning lawyer to ensure that you get paid for all the troubles you had.
As one of the most proficient botulism lawyers in Houston, Ron Simon & associates, we represent you in court to ensure a hefty sum of compensation. If you think you developed botulism because of someone else’s negligence, contact us immediately.
What is a Botulism Lawyer?
A botulism lawyer is an attorney that represents the victims of food-borne botulism poisoning. The attorney usually specializes in personal injury law, specifically cases that involve negligence, wrongful death, or product liability.
A botulism lawyer represents the victims of botulism poisoning. The botulism attorney is a specialist in handling personal injury law, particularly involving wrongful death, product liability or negligence cases.
What does a Botulism Lawyer Do?
A botulism lawyer represents the victims in the court to prove the negligence of others and ensure the compensation to the victims. The botulism attorney is experienced in the complex process of litigation that involved food poisoning cases. They also guide the victims through the legal process and help them with all the legal remedies available.
Why Should You Hire a Botulism Attorney?
Hiring a botulism attorney can help the victim with numerous benefits by filing a claim. A botulism lawyer can collect all the evidences and represent you in court to achieve favorable results. They can help you deal with the insurance companies and other parties to reach an agreement about the liability and compensation.
Why Should You Look For In A Botulism Attorney?
Your botulism lawyer should have certain traits that includes:
- Experience: Your botulism lawyer should have adequate work experience to handle your case and get you the favorable outcomes.
- Track Record: Choose a botulism lawyer who has a proven track record of helping victims get a good compensation.
- Communication Skills: Communication is the key to develop a relationship. Your botulism attorney should communicate well with you, explain you the steps and everything completely, respond well and help you solve your queries or concerns.
Types of Claims Botulism Lawyers Handle
Personal Injury Lawsuit
Legal claims for damages against another party might be made in personal injury lawsuit. These cases are typically brought in civil courts when a person has been harmed or lost something as a result of another person’s actions.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The legal claims filed by the family members of someone who has died because of the wrongful actions or negligence of another party are the wrongful death litigations.
Negligence Claim
When the negligence, carelessness or lack of reasonable safety precautions causes physical or financial damage to an individual, these claims are known as negligence claims.
Product Liability Lawsuit
A claim in which any party in the distribution chain has directly caused physical harm to an individual because of the dangerous or defective product known as product liability lawsuit.
Class Action Lawsuit
These are the claims in which you join with others that faced injuries or harmed by the defective products or processes to file a legal claim.
Botulism Settlement
An insurance company can offer monetary compensation as out-of-court settlements, on behalf of another party responsible for damages in lieu of taking the case to court. You get the compensation at the discretion of the insurance company hence it is important to know what you deserve before accepting any offer they made.
What expenses can legal compensation cover?
Medical bills, lost pay, emotional anguish, and pain and suffering are a few of the losses that botulism lawyers can get compensation for. A skilled lawyer can also help you in getting compensation for lost wages in the future, student loans, childcare expenses, property damage, or permanent injuries.
When should you file a Botulism claim?
The amount of time you have to pursue a personal injury claim resulting from someone else’s negligence or improper activities varies greatly between states. To ensure that all of your facts are in order, medical documents should be properly acquired, and evidence and memories are still fresh, it is important to contact legal support as early as you can.
The statute of limitations for filing a claim is typically two or four years; but, in some cases, the statute of limitations may be waived.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Botulism Poisoning?
The first thing you should do is go visit a doctor. To reduce your chances of developing a serious disease, your doctor will test you for possible botulism poisoning and advise the best course of action.
Notify your county health department if you are diagnosed to developed foodborne botulism. It’s important to get in touch with a botulism lawyer. They can support and guide you as you file a claim and get the damages for your injuries.
National Botulism Law Firm
Finding a reputable botulism lawyer can be a challenge. For the best legal representation and results, contact an experienced botulism attorney directly or fill out our contact form to get connected with a reputable legal professional today.
Seek medical attention
If you have a fever over 102 degrees, bloody stool, or other severe symptoms you should seek medical attention immediately.
Legal Assistance
If you are a victim of food poisoning caused by someone else’s negligence you may be entitled to financial compensation through a food poisoning lawsuit.
What is Botulism?
Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a neurotoxin secreted by certain strains of Clostridium botulinum, also known by shorthand form C. botulinum. Foodborne botulism is the most lethal bacterial toxin-mediated foodborne disease, and occurs with relatively low frequency. Botulism is also the only disease of that class for which a specific effective therapy exists (Giannella, 2010).
According to the CDC, there are five main kinds of botulism:
- Foodborne botulism, which is caused by eating foods that contain the toxin;
- Wound botulism, caused by toxin produced from a wound infected with Clostridium botulinum;
- Infant botulism, caused by consuming the spores of the bacteria, which then grow in the intestines and release botulinum toxin;
- Adult intestinal toxemia botulism, also called adult intestinal colonization botulism, which occurs when an adult consumes botulinum bacteria spores which subsequently grow in the intestines and release botulinum toxin;
- Iatrogenic botulism, which results from an accidental overdose of botulinum toxin (CDC, 2010).
What kind of bacteria is Clostridium Botulinum?
Clostridium botulinum is the name of a group of bacteria commonly found in soil. These rod-shaped organisms grow best in low oxygen conditions.
There are seven types of botulism toxin designated by the letters A through G. Only types A, B, E and F cause illness in humans (CDC, 2010). Types A, B, and E cause almost all cases of human botulism; botulism from exposure to a type F strain is very rare (Schwartz and Morgan, 2007). Toxin types C and D generally cause botulism in birds and mammalian animals (Schwartz and Morgan, 2007).
The strain of botulism may determine the severity of the disease. Respiratory failure requiring ventilation occurs significantly more often in cases of type A botulism (Schwartz and Morgan, 2007). Type E botulism requires intubation and mechanical ventilation in the smallest percent of cases; however, it should also be noted that the incubation for type E botulism is substantially shorter than that of other types, and almost all individuals infected with type E
How does Botulism spread?
Botulism is most frequently associated with consumption of low acid fruits, vegetables, and fish canned at home. In this case, “low acid” means that a substance has a pH greater than or equal to 4.4 (Sodha et al., 2010).
Recently, outbreaks of botulism were tied to commercially-distributed canned chili sauce and bottled carrot juice; these botulism outbreaks were the first tied to commercially distributed products in about 20 years (Sodha et al., 2010; CDC, 2006).
How common is Botulism?
In the United States an average of 145 cases of botulism are reported each year (CDC, 2010). Of these, approximately 15% are foodborne, 65% are infant botulism, and the rest are wound botulism (CDC, 2010). Outbreaks of foodborne botulism involving two or more persons generally occur at least once a year and usually result from eating contaminated home-canned foods. The number of cases of foodborne and infant botulism has changed little in recent years, but wound botulism has increased.
What are the symptoms of botulism?
In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food, but they can occur as early as 6 hours or as late as 10 days (CDC, 2010). The amount of time between ingestion and development of symptoms depends on the amount of botulinum toxin ingested: the more toxin ingested, the more quickly symptoms will develop. The first symptoms of botulism generally are gastrointestinal and may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain (Schwartz and Morgan, 2007). After neurological symptoms develop, constipation often develops (Giannella, 2010).
How is botulism diagnosed?
If a patient’s symptoms suggest that they may have botulsim, physicians should consider the possibility that the individual does indeed have the disease. However, these symptoms are often not enough to allow a diagnosis of botulism. In fact, about 10.5% of suspected botulism cases reported to the CDC are ultimately diagnosed as Guillain-Barré syndrome (Schwartz and Morgan, 2007). Other diseases are often commonly confused with botulism: 3.4% of suspected and reported botulism cases end up diagnosed as carbon monoxide poisoning, 3.2% as due to foodborne poisons of unknown etiology, and 3% as staphylococcal food poisoning (Schwartz and Morgan, 2007).
The most direct way to confirm the diagnosis is to demonstrate the botulinum toxin in the patient’s serum or stool by injecting serum or stool into mice and looking for signs of botulism, a process called a mouse bioassay (Reddy and Bleck, 2010).
How can botulism be treated?
Immediately upon forming the suspicion that a patient is suffering from botulism, the treating physician should call the state health department’s 24-hour emergency phone number and report the case to the state’s health department. The health department will then contact the CDC, which will arrange for a clinical consultation via telephone. If the consultation indicates it is warranted and the physician so requests, then the CDC will release botulinum antitoxin (Sodha et al., 2010). The antitoxin binds to botulism toxins type A, B, and E. By binding to the toxins, the antitoxin prevents the botulinum toxin from binding to the receptors on motor nerve terminals (Pigott, 2008).
The paralysis that occurs with severe botulism requires intensive medical and nursing care. After several weeks, the paralysis slowly improves (CDC, 2010).
Physicians may try to remove contaminated food still in the gut by inducing vomiting or by utilizing enemas. Wounds should be treated, usually surgically, to remove the source of the toxin-producing bacteria. Good supportive care in a hospital is the mainstay of therapy for all forms of botulism. Currently, antitoxin is not routinely given for treatment of infant botulism (CDC, 2010).
Are there complications from botulism?
Botulism can result in death due to respiratory failure. However, in the past 50 years, the proportion of patients with botulism who die has fallen from about 50% to 3-5% (CDC, 2010). A patient with severe botulism may require a breathing machine as well as intensive medical and nursing care for several months. Patients who survive an episode of botulism poisoning may have fatigue and shortness of breath for years after the acute illness (CDC, 2010).
How can botulism be prevented?
You can decrease your chances of getting botulism by:
- Boiling home-canned food for 10 minutes prior to eating it;
- Following strict hygienic procedures and using pressure canners and pressure cookers when canning your own food at home;
- Refrigerating oils infused with garlic or herbs;
- Keeping potatoes baked in aluminum foil hot (not just warm) until eaten or refrigerated;
- Not feeding honey to infants under 12 months old;
- Not opening food containers that appear to bulge, as they may contain gas produced by botulinum; and
- Not tasting food that appears to be spoiled.
(CDC, 2010; Reddy and Bleck, 2010; Arnon, 2007).
Botulism Food Poisoning Lawyers
Food poisoning is very common illness that may cause difficulty in breathing. It may cause paralysis and may even lead to death. It may be categorized in various forms and botulism is one of them.
If you or any of your loved one faced botulism because of the third-party negligence, contact a botulism food poisoning lawyer to ensure that you get paid for all the troubles you had.
As one of the most proficient botulism lawyers in Houston, Ron Simon & associates, we represent you in court to ensure a hefty sum of compensation. If you think you developed botulism because of someone else’s negligence, contact us immediately.
What is a Botulism Lawyer?
A botulism lawyer is an attorney that represents the victims of food-borne botulism poisoning. The attorney usually specializes in personal injury law, specifically cases that involve negligence, wrongful death, or product liability.
A botulism lawyer represents the victims of botulism poisoning. The botulism attorney is a specialist in handling personal injury law, particularly involving wrongful death, product liability or negligence cases.
What does a Botulism Lawyer Do?
A botulism lawyer represents the victims in the court to prove the negligence of others and ensure the compensation to the victims. The botulism attorney is experienced in the complex process of litigation that involved food poisoning cases. They also guide the victims through the legal process and help them with all the legal remedies available.
Why Should You Hire a Botulism Attorney?
Hiring a botulism attorney can help the victim with numerous benefits by filing a claim. A botulism lawyer can collect all the evidences and represent you in court to achieve favorable results. They can help you deal with the insurance companies and other parties to reach an agreement about the liability and compensation.
Why Should You Look For In A Botulism Attorney?
Your botulism lawyer should have certain traits that includes:
- Experience: Your botulism lawyer should have adequate work experience to handle your case and get you the favorable outcomes.
- Track Record: Choose a botulism lawyer who has a proven track record of helping victims get a good compensation.
- Communication Skills: Communication is the key to develop a relationship. Your botulism attorney should communicate well with you, explain you the steps and everything completely, respond well and help you solve your queries or concerns.
Types of Claims Botulism Lawyers Handle
Personal Injury Lawsuit
Legal claims for damages against another party might be made in personal injury lawsuit. These cases are typically brought in civil courts when a person has been harmed or lost something as a result of another person’s actions.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The legal claims filed by the family members of someone who has died because of the wrongful actions or negligence of another party are the wrongful death litigations.
Negligence Claim
When the negligence, carelessness or lack of reasonable safety precautions causes physical or financial damage to an individual, these claims are known as negligence claims.
Product Liability Lawsuit
A claim in which any party in the distribution chain has directly caused physical harm to an individual because of the dangerous or defective product known as product liability lawsuit.
Class Action Lawsuit
These are the claims in which you join with others that faced injuries or harmed by the defective products or processes to file a legal claim.
Botulism Settlement
An insurance company can offer monetary compensation as out-of-court settlements, on behalf of another party responsible for damages in lieu of taking the case to court. You get the compensation at the discretion of the insurance company hence it is important to know what you deserve before accepting any offer they made.
What expenses can legal compensation cover?
Medical bills, lost pay, emotional anguish, and pain and suffering are a few of the losses that botulism lawyers can get compensation for. A skilled lawyer can also help you in getting compensation for lost wages in the future, student loans, childcare expenses, property damage, or permanent injuries.
When should you file a Botulism claim?
The amount of time you have to pursue a personal injury claim resulting from someone else’s negligence or improper activities varies greatly between states. To ensure that all of your facts are in order, medical documents should be properly acquired, and evidence and memories are still fresh, it is important to contact legal support as early as you can.
The statute of limitations for filing a claim is typically two or four years; but, in some cases, the statute of limitations may be waived.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Botulism Poisoning?
The first thing you should do is go visit a doctor. To reduce your chances of developing a serious disease, your doctor will test you for possible botulism poisoning and advise the best course of action.
Notify your county health department if you are diagnosed to developed foodborne botulism. It’s important to get in touch with a botulism lawyer. They can support and guide you as you file a claim and get the damages for your injuries.
National Botulism Law Firm
Finding a reputable botulism lawyer can be a challenge. For the best legal representation and results, contact an experienced botulism attorney directly or fill out our contact form to get connected with a reputable legal professional today.
Seek medical attention
If you have a fever over 102 degrees, bloody stool, or other severe symptoms you should seek medical attention immediately.
Legal Assistance
If you are a victim of food poisoning caused by someone else’s negligence you may be entitled to financial compensation through a food poisoning lawsuit.
Contact Us
If you are experiencing signs of foodborne illness, contact us today for a free case consultation.
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Take Action
If you suspect food poisoning
- Get medical treatment
- Request a stool culture to identify the pathogen
- Notify your local health department
- Contact our law office for a free case consultation
