Fairview Heights Longhorn Steakhouse Reopens After Shigella Outbreak
Unsafe Premises - October 20, 2024
Longhorn Steakhouse In Fairview Heights Reopens After Two Dozen People Sickened From Shigellosis Outbreak
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS (October 20, 2024) – A Fairview Heights Longhorn Steakhouse has reopened for in-person dining after they voluntarily closed for two weeks after a Shigella outbreak.
St. Clair County officials have linked the restaurant to numerous cases of Shigellosis. More than 60 customers reported feeling ill after eating at the restaurant, and nine were hospitalized.
The St. Clair County Health Department has said that 24 people tested positive for Shigella. The ages of those affected ranged from 12 to 80.
The Longhorn Steakhouse shut down voluntarily after the outbreak to clean and retrain employees. Some customers have said that they will consider returning after enough time passes.
Liability For St. Clair County Shigella Outbreaks
Shigella outbreaks remain alarmingly common in the United States and the rest of the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Worldwide, Shigella is estimated to cause 80–165 million cases of disease and 600,000 deaths annually, and most cases and deaths are among children. Among shigellosis cases worldwide, approximately 20–119 million illnesses and 6,900–30,000 deaths are attributed to foodborne transmission.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to a Shigella outbreak.
- Poor Sanitation and Hygiene: A lack of proper handwashing and waste disposal practices may contribute to an outbreak.
- Contaminated Food and Water: Shigella can be transmitted through food and water that has already been contaminated by the bacteria.
- Crowded Settings: Shigella is more likely to spread through direct contact with an infected person. Crowded settings like schools, restaurants, and nursing homes are prime locations for an outbreak.
Restaurants have a legal obligation to protect their customers from foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting customers from infectious diseases and foodborne illnesses. They must properly sanitize their locations and train their staff to follow best practices. When a restaurant fails to keep their property in a reasonably safe condition, this could form the basis of a civil claim. It is important that certain steps are taken after any outbreak.
- Medical records related to the incident should be preserved, including bills.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- The source of the outbreak should be determined.
- An experienced personal injury attorney should be contacted.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for any Shigellosis outbreak. For example, the company that sold meat to a steakhouse or other restaurant could be held at fault if that was the origin point of the outbreak. In many situations, restaurants may inadvertently serve meat or other food products that were already contaminated. Any person that is injured by Shigellosis may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A personal injury attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Fairview Heights Shigellosis Outbreaks
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates were deeply concerned to hear about the Shigella outbreak at the Fairview Heights Longhorn Steakhouse. Any person who may have more information should reach out to investigators. It is our hope that measures are taken to prevent anything similar from happening in the future.
Have you or someone that you care about been sickened in a Shigella outbreak? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here for you. We are committed to helping victims of foodborne illnesses get the medical and financial support that they are owed under the law. Whether you have legal questions or need any type of support, we may be able to help. You can reach out to (312) 564-4256.
