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Wendy’s E. coli Lawsuit

Wendy’s E. coli Lawsuit

Around 100 people who ate at Wendy’s developed serious E. coli food poisoning illnesses in July and August 2022.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Wendy’s induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with E. coli after eating lettuce on sandwiches at Wendy’s, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE: 97 E. coli Illnesses Reported; Cases in New York and Kentucky

In an update on September 1, the CDC reported that a fast-moving E. coli outbreak linked to Wendy’s has been reported in Michigan (58), Ohio (24), Indiana (11), Pennsylvania (2), New York (1), and Kentucky (1). Dozens of people have been hospitalizet and and 10 people suffered from a serious type of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).

E. coli Outbreak Much Worse Than Health Officials Reporting

Updated case count numbers show that the E. coli outbreak linked to Wendy’s is worse than what is being reported by the CDC. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) confirmed 115 cases — 53 of which have been linked to Wendy’s “with more to be expected” as the agency awaits results.

Wendy’s E. coli Outbreak Sickens 97 People in 6 States

In early August 2022, health officials began investigating a “fast-moving outbreak” of food poisoning after dozens of people suddenly fell ill with serious E. coli infections.

On August 19, the E. coli outbreak was linked to Wendy’s sandwiches with lettuce, with 37 illnesses reported in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana.

On September 1, new E. coli infections were confirmed in New York and Kentucky. A total of 97 cases were informed to match the same strain of E. coli O157:H7. Out of those 97 cases, the hardest-hit states were Michigan and Ohio.

The CDC warned that “many sick people reported eating sandwiches with romaine lettuce at Wendy’s restaurants in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania before getting sick.” In response, Wendy’s restaurants removed romaine lettuce from sandwiches in the region.

What About Salads?

Salads were NOT affected by the E. coli outbreak because Wendy’s used a different type of lettuce. Only sandwiches with romaine lettuce have been linked to E. coli illnesses.

How Many People Got Sick?

As of September 1, 2022, the case count by state is Michigan (58), Ohio (24), Indiana (11), Pennsylvania (2), New York (1), and Kentucky (1). At least 43 people had to be hospitalized and and 10 people suffered from Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening type of kidney failure that is a serious complication from E. coli infections.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) Cases Reported in Michigan

Ten people were diagnosed with a life-threatening type of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). This complication is most common in children. It occurs in about 10-15% of people who are infected with E. coli O157:H7. In some cases, HUS causes permanent kidney problems or even death.

What Should I Do?

Romaine lettuce is a repeated source of E. coli outbreaks, but for now, the CDC is not warning people against eating at Wendy’s, or romaine lettuce in general. According to the CDC: “At this time, there is no evidence to indicate that romaine lettuce sold in grocery stores, served in other restaurants, or in people’s homes is linked to this outbreak.”

Severe Symptoms of E. coli Food Poisoning

If you have any of these severe E. coli symptoms, call your healthcare provider right away:

  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
  • Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
  • Signs of dehydration, such as:
    • Not peeing much
    • Dry mouth and throat
    • Feeling dizzy when standing up

Do I have a Wendy’s E. coli Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Wendy’s induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with E. coli after eating lettuce on sandwiches at Wendy’s, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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