MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today PritzkerOlsen law firm filed the first lawsuit against Apple Minnesota, LLC d/b/a Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar arising from a recent E. coli O111 outbreak. The lawsuit (Case 0:14-cv-02907) was filed on behalf of Keith Comstock, who was diagnosed with an E. coli O111 infection after eating at the Applebee’s restaurant located at 10150 Hudson Road, Woodbury, Minnesota.
The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. PritzkerOlsen attorneys Ryan Osterholm, Brendan Flaherty and Fred Pritzker are representing Mr. Comstock.
"It is too early to determine how many people have been sickened by this outbreak or the precise food product that caused it,” attorney Flaherty said. “Our client hopes to use the power of the courts to help get answers and keep more people from getting sick.”
According to the Complaint, the outbreak involves at least 13 individuals, 7 of whom ate at area Applebee’s restaurants between June 24 and 27. The restaurants involved in the outbreak are reportedly located in Blaine, Duluth, Monticello, Roseville and Woodbury.
Mr. Comstock dined at Applebee’s in Woodbury, Minnesota on or about June 24, 2014. He ordered and consumed Oriental Chicken Salad, which contained, among other things, carrots, cabbage and greens. The lawsuit alleges this salad was contaminated with E. coli O111 bacteria and unfit for human consumption.
On or about June 27, Mr. Comstock began to suffer from symptoms of E. coli O111 food poisoning, according to the Complaint. He was treated for his symptoms and tested positive for E. coli O111. He remained ill for several weeks.
E. coli O111 is a highly toxic foodborne pathogen. Symptoms of infection include stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. These symptoms can worsen, causing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or death.
People sickened by E. coli O111 are at increased risk of developing future illness, including severe high blood pressure and kidney disease.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for Mr. Comstock for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages.
PrizkerOlsen is a national food safety law firm with offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Attorneys Ryan Osterholm, Brendan Flaherty and Fred Pritzker have won millions for food poisoning victims in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against restaurants, food processors and others. They can be contacted at 612-338-0202 or via their food safety blog regarding a lawsuit against Applebee’s.