In Tennessee and elsewhere, the assumption is that food for sale on store shelves is safe to eat. No one wants to worry about the possibility of it being contaminated with listeria. Shoppers might double check a sell by or use by date, but beyond that people tend to trust the safety of our food supply. Unfortunately, dangerous products can come in all shapes and sizes, including food items.
Johnston County Hams announced a recall of ham possibly contaminated with listeria. The recall, consisting of 89,000 pounds of meat, was the result of a possible connection to an outbreak of listeriosis. The connection was made after a person reported getting sick shortly after eating the ham.
Further investigation revealed that there had been four cases of listeriosis and one listeriosis-related death from July 2017 to Aug. 2018. This information was cited in the recall notification. Symptoms of the illness can include fever, gastrointestinal problems, headache, stiff neck or convulsions. The illness is particularly dangerous to pregnant women as it can cause a miscarriage, premature delivery or other complications.
Anyone in Tennessee who suspects that he or she might have suffered the effects of listeriosis as a result of eating contaminated food may wish to consult with a personal injury attorney. The lawyer can review the circumstances of the illness and may be able to help establish if there is a connection to the dangerous products. If a connection appears to exist, a knowledgeable attorney can advise the client if a civil suit is a viable option. A successfully litigated claim can help with medical costs, lost wages and other verifiable losses.