E. coli & HUS
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC, including the well-known O157:H7 serotype) can cause severe, bloody diarrhea — and a dangerous complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure, neurological injury, and death, particularly in young children. Pritzker Hageman has recovered tens of millions of dollars for children and families harmed by E. coli, including several of the largest U.S. food-poisoning recoveries on record.
What is E. coli?
While many strains of Escherichia coli live harmlessly in the human gut, Shiga toxin-producing strains cause serious illness. The most notorious is E. coli O157:H7, but non-O157 STEC strains (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145) cause many U.S. illnesses and outbreaks as well. Symptoms usually begin 3 to 4 days after exposure and last about a week. In some patients — especially children under 5 — the infection progresses to HUS. For an in-depth overview of the firm’s E. coli practice, see Pritzker Hageman’s national E. coli hub and E. coli lawyer pages.
Symptoms of E. coli infection
- Severe stomach cramps
- Diarrhea, often bloody, within 1–10 days of exposure
- Vomiting and low-grade fever
- Dehydration
- HUS warning signs: decreased urination, extreme fatigue, pale skin, easy bruising, or small purplish spots on the skin
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
HUS is a medical emergency in which Shiga toxin destroys red blood cells and damages the kidneys. About 5–10% of people infected with O157:H7 develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, and the risk is highest in children. Treatment may include dialysis, blood transfusions, and intensive care; permanent kidney damage and neurological injuries are not uncommon. Our team has recovered $12.15 million for an 8-year-old girl with E. coli, $8.75 million for a 13-year-old, and a $27 million confidential settlement for a family whose children developed HUS — among many others.
Common sources of E. coli
- Undercooked ground beef
- Leafy greens (romaine lettuce, spinach) and sprouts
- Raw (unpasteurized) milk and juice
- Raw flour, raw dough, and ready-to-eat foods made with them
- Contaminated drinking and recreational water; petting-zoo exposure
Recent E. coli outbreaks
The firm has covered — and represented victims of — many of the last few years’ largest E. coli outbreaks, including the McDonald’s Quarter Pounders outbreak, the Organic Carrots E. coli outbreak, the Twin Sisters Creamery cheese outbreak, the Forward Farms ground beef recall, and the Red Cow / Henhouse outbreak in Minnesota. You can also browse all E. coli news and the firm’s E. coli recall tracker.
Can I sue for E. coli food poisoning?
Yes — if you can show that a specific food made you sick, you may have a claim. Pritzker Hageman’s explainers on whether you can sue a restaurant or a grocery store walk through what evidence helps and how cases are valued. The firm’s Bad Bug Law Team has been doing this work for decades.
When to seek legal help
If you or your child has been diagnosed with a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection — especially if HUS is suspected — talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Public-health agencies move quickly to identify the food source, and early legal action helps preserve evidence such as receipts, leftover food, and medical records.