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Hepatitis A

La Mesa, California Chipotle Hepatitis A Outbreak
At least 21 people have contracted hepatitis A after eating at the La Mesa Chipotle in San Diego County, California. Read about the La Mesa, California Chipotle Hepatitis A and lawyer and lawsuit information.

Hepatitis A Lawyer
The following information about the hepatitis A virus is provided by Pritzker | Ruohonen, a nationally-recognized law firm in the area of foodborne illness lawsuits. Hepatitis A attorney Fred Pritzker has over 30 years of experience and has collected millions for victims of food poisoning, including a recent settlement for $6,425,000. In recognition of his achievements, other lawyers selected him for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America.

If you or someone you love is diagnosed with hepatitis A, contact Fred Pritzker or another lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen for a free consultation regarding your legal rights and remedies. To reach a lawyer, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form.

What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is both a virus and an illness. Hepatitis A , a liver disease, is caused by an infection from the hepatitis A virus. However, not everyone who is infected with the Hepatitis A virus will have symptoms of the illness. In most cases, the illness is characterized by mild, flu-like gastrointestinal symptoms. At its worst, it can impair proper functioning of the liver and even lead to death.

A virus is a collection of molecules that uses the body's method of constructing new material to produce copies of itself. As is the case with other viruses, when the hepatitis A virus uses a human host to reproduce itself, the human host often becomes ill in the effort to fight the virus.

Scientists have classified the Hepatitis A virus as a member of the enterovirus group of the Picornaviridae family. The hepatitis A virus is characterized by a single molecule of RNA encased by a small protein shell. Other picornaviruses cause human illnesses ranging from polio to the common cold.

The hepatitis A virus is the most common of the hepatitis viruses, accounting for around 40 percent of all cases of hepatitis in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year in the United an estimated 143,000 cases of hepatitis A virus infection occur, but only around 30,000 are reported. Hepatitis A virus is responsible for an estimated 1.4 million cases of hepatitis A worldwide each year.

How is Hepatitis A Spread?

The hepatitis A virus is spread from person to person by “fecal-oral” transmission. This means the virus is transmitted when a person puts something in his/her mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person infected with the hepatitis A virus. Because hepatitis A depends on the fecal-oral route for transmission, the illness is most easily spread in poor sanitary conditions or when good personal hygiene is not observed.

Hepatitis A outbreaks are often traced back to contaminated food. Food supplies can become contaminated when infected workers come into contact with food supplies during processing or in restaurants.

The foods most commonly associated with hepatitis A outbreaks are water, shellfish and salads. In most cases, the true source is water that has been contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Other common sources of foodborne hepatitis A are: cold cuts, pre-made sandwiches, unwashed fruit, fruit juices, milk products, vegetables, salads, shellfish, and iced drinks.

Most people who become infected with the hepatitis A virus return to normal health. Although the illness is more common in children, it is often more severe in adults. More than one-fifth of adult hepatitis A patients require hospitalization. In severe cases, hepatitis A can cause inflammation and swelling of the liver. This can impair liver function and cause permanent damage to the liver. Most of these cases require hospitalization. Each year approximately 100 people die as a result of hepatitis A infections in the U.S.

More Information on Hepatitis A

For additional information on hepatitis A, please see the following:

Hepatitis a lawyer Fred Pritzker has a national practice and represents hepatitis a victims throughout the United States. Pritzker | Ruohonen has offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At least six people have contracted hepatitis A after eating at the La Mesa Chipotle in San Diego County, California. The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and County Department of Environmental Health (DEH) are investigating. Read about the La Mesa, California Chipotle Hepatitis A and lawyer and lawsuit information.

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Firm News

Fred Pritzker Listed in The Best Lawyers in America

Fred Pritzker has been notified that he will again be listed in The Best Lawyers in America.

E. coli Wrongful Death Settlement

We have recently settled a number of E. coli cases involving victims of various E. coli outbreaks, including a wrongful death claim.

Foodborne Outbreaks

Iowa E. coli: Raw apple cider may be associated with an Iowa E. coli outbreak.
University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) E. coli: At least 8 people have been sickened, 7 of them students.
Michigan E. coli Lettuce: A Michigan E. coli outbreak has been associated with bagged iceberg lettuce distributed by Aunt Mid's Produce Company.
Aunt Mid's Lawsuit: People in Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak.
University of Michigan and MSU E. coli Lawsuit: 7 students at Michigan State University and 3 students at the University of Michigan have contracted E. coli infections.
Hendricks Farm Campylobacter outbreak associated with Hendricks Farm & Dairy in Telford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Oklahoma E. coli: An Oklahoma E. coli outbreak may be linked to a Locust Grove restaurant.
Nebraska Beef Lawsuit: Nebraska Beef, Ltd. has recalled millions of pounds of beef products and has been linked to 2 outbreaks.
Massachusettes E. coli: A Massachusettes E. coli outbreak has been linked to Nebraska Beef products and Coleman Meat products.
Whole Foods Market Lawsuit: The Whole Foods Market E. coli outbreak is part of the Massachusettes E. coli outbreak above.
Virginia E. coli - Goshen Scout Reservation: Dozens of scouts were sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to beef.
Georgia E. coli - Barbecue Pit Lawsuit
Ohio E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Michigan E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Multi-State Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak: Tomatoes have sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States.
Minnesota Preschool E. coli: Outbreak associated with Wonder World Preschool in Slayton, Minnesota.
Washington E. coli Lettuce: Outbreak associated with commercial romaine lettuce.
Texas Salmonella Saintpaul - Tomato: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
New Mexico Salmonella Saintpaul Linked to Tomatoes: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
Nebraska E. coli Outbreak Associated with Roast Beef
Hepatitis A - La Mesa California Chipotle - Lawyer and Lawsuit: San Diego County hepatitis A outbreak
Salmonella - Puffed Rice Recall and Puffed Wheat Recall: Malt-O-Meal cereal recall.
Minnesota Salmonella - Milford Valley Farms Lawsuit: Frozen chicken product.
Salmonella - Agropecuaria Montelibano Cantaloupe Recall: Cantaloupe from Honduras.
Salmonella Litchfield Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Recall of Dole, Chiquita and other brands.
Honolulu E. coli - Sekiya's Lawsuit and Lawyer: E. coli associated with Hawaii restaurant.
Alabama E. coli - Church Supper: Outbreak associated with Eastern Shore Baptis Church.
E. coli - Rochester Meat Company Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef recall.
E. coli - Jeno's and Totino's Pizza Recall and Lawsuit: Pepperoni on pizza.
E. coli - Topps Recall and Lawsuit: Hamburger patty recall.
E. coli - Cargill/Sam's Club Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef patty recall.
Listeria - Whittier Farms Recall and Lawsuit: Miscarriage and death linked to milk.
Hawaii Salmonella - Tuna Recall and Lawsuit
Salmonella - Safeway Ground Beef Recall and Lawsuit

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