E.coli: What You Need To Know
If you have suffered from serious
illness as a result of consuming contaminated or poorly
prepared food, you may be able to claim compensation
There have been numerous and well publicised
outbreaks of E.coli poisoning in the UK, many cases
resulting in death. Here we explain a little more about
E.coli and what circumstances surrounding such an
outbreak may lead to a possible
food poisoning compensation claim:
What Is E.coli?
E.coli is a common bacterium that is found in the
intestines of humans and animals. There are different
types of E.coli, some of which are quite harmless and
others which can cause other diseases (i.e. Meningitis,
Diarrhoea, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which kills
red blood cells and can cause kidney failure).
It is also found in faeces and can survive the
general environment. It can be transferred to people by
drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food
(e.g. meat that has not been cooked properly); by
touching animals or just from the environment itself
(e.g. gates/ fences/ other surfaces).
Basic things like good hygiene and ensuring meat is
cooked thoroughly are some of the best ways to prevent
an E.coli outbreak.
E.coli O157
This is the worst strain of E.coli.
Children and the elderly are
particularly susceptible to this. Around
15% of cattle also carry this type of
E.coli in their gut.
E.coli Symptoms
Symptoms can include mild diarrhoea
or haemorrhagic colitis (severe
abdominal cramps and blood in the
stools).
E.coli Cases
The recent case of
Godstone Farm in Surrey is a good
example of what can happen when action
is not taken immediately. There have
been 94 cases of E.coli, which have left
several children ill in hospital. A two
year boy has just left hospital after
spending six weeks in hospital after
suffering acute kidney failure. Three
other farms have also been closed as a
precaution, after the
HPA (Health Protection Agency) found
they had unsatisfactory hygiene.
The HPA admitted knowing about the
outbreak at Godstone Farm at an earlier
stage than first reported. Measures to
reduce the risk of infection were
recommended such as restricting access
to animals (i.e. Cattle). It was only
when further cases occurred that the
farm was closed, around three weeks
after the first confirmed cases.
There is an on-going investigation
into the outbreak, as the delay in
closing the farm has raised questions
about the HPA. The HPA has admitted that
the farm should have been closed much
sooner. It has been suggested that the
farm could be facing a
compensation claim.
The farm has partially reopened with
all areas which are open to the public
having been cleaned, disinfected and
tested for E.coli, which showed the
bacteria was not present in those areas.
Visitors will not be allowed contact
with any of the animals.
It would be similar to over 150 cases of E.coli in
Wales in 2005, where a butcher provided contaminated
meat to schools, resulting in the death of one child.
In 1996 the worst recorded outbreak of E.coli
resulted in the deaths of 20 people following a church
lunch in Wishaw, Scotland. Even more recently, a man who
suffered kidney failure from eating a contaminated
burger on holiday has received compensation of £750,000.
Prof Hugh Pennington, who has led inquiries into the
E.coli outbreaks in Wales and Scotland, has stated that
parents of children under 5 should not allow them to
touch animals at petting farms. The main issue being
that it can be difficult to get young children to wash
their hands.
The Department of Health, however has said it will
not change its guidance, and it is up to parents to
ensure that children do wash their hands.
In summary, where it can be shown
that appropriate standard hygiene
methods have not been adopted by a
particular business and this in turn
leads to injury or harm suffered by a
customer or consumer, a claim for
compensation may be possible.
We offer
No win No fee advice on claims of this kind. Please
contact us for advice on pursuing a
food poisoning compensation claim.
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