More than 70 people reported feeling ill after consuming oysters at the L.A. Times 101 Best Restaurants event held in Los Angeles earlier this month. According to a report by L.A. TACO, which spoke to at least 11 people who attended the reveal party, including one of their staff members, people reported severe symptoms they believe were the result of food poisoning from the glitzy event.
Severe and Painful Food Poisoning Symptoms Reported
Javier Cabral, editor-in-chief of L.A. TACO, described the experience of getting sick after the event as “the most horrible food poisoning” he has ever experienced in his life. Cabral said he fell ill and vomited more than two dozen times in two days after the event. He said he found himself in so much pain that he could barely stand up and that it took him three days to feel better and return to work finally.
USA Today reports that the health department attributed the outbreak to norovirus contamination. Officials said 80 attendees who ate oysters at the event reported illnesses and gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. The contaminated foods include Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi oysters shipped by Pacific Northwest Shellfish and Union Bay Seafood, based in British Columbia, Canada.
A recall was recently issued for the oysters. They were harvested between Dec. 1 and Dec. 9 from British Columbia and sold to restaurants and food retailers in a number of states, including California. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also stated on Wednesday to inform restaurants, retailers, and consumers about how to avoid contaminated oysters. Santa Monica Seafood, one of the companies involved in the event, told USA Today that an investigation is ongoing and that the norovirus likely originated in British Columbia.
L.A. TACO also spoke with Mark Kapczynski, an attendee at the event, who said he began to feel an uncomfortable bloating sensation afterward. A day later, he said he felt intensely ill, experienced severe pain, and collapsed in his house. He also said he spent many hours vomiting and experienced bouts of chills, sweats, and stomach pain.
Food Poisoning from Norovirus
Norovirus food poisoning, often called a “stomach bug” or “stomach flu,” is an infection caused by a highly contagious virus. It spreads through contaminated food, water, surfaces or close contact with an infected person. Norovirus outbreaks commonly occur in crowded environments like schools, nursing homes, cruise ships, or restaurants, as the virus is resilient and can survive on surfaces for extended periods.
The virus contaminates food during preparation, especially if an infected person handles it without proper hygiene. Raw or undercooked shellfish and leafy greens are common culprits. Norovirus can also spread through contaminated water sources or by touching surfaces and then placing hands near the mouth. Symptoms typically appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can last one to three days. Common symptoms include:
- Nausea: A frequent and uncomfortable sensation, often leading to vomiting.
- Vomiting: Sudden and severe, this is one of the most typical symptoms of norovirus food poisoning.
- Diarrhea: Watery and non-bloody, it can lead to dehydration if severe.
- Abdominal cramps: Pain and discomfort in the stomach area.
- Fever and chills: Low-grade fever and a feeling of being cold may accompany gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Fatigue and muscle aches: General malaise and body weakness.
While norovirus infections usually resolve without treatment, severe dehydration can occur, especially in young children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, decreased urination, and dizziness.
What to Do If You’ve Suffered Food Poisoning at an Event or Festival
If you’ve suffered food poisoning at a food festival or event, taking prompt and thorough action is crucial for your health and to address the issue. Here are a few steps to take:
Seek medical attention right away. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, especially if you’re experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. Electrolyte solutions like sports drinks or oral rehydration salts can help. If symptoms are severe, such as high fever, bloody diarrhea, persistent vomiting, or dehydration, visit a doctor or emergency room immediately. Be ready to describe what you ate, when symptoms started, and the severity of your condition. A stool sample may be needed to identify the pathogen.
Document everything. Keep a detailed log of when symptoms began and how they progressed. Save any receipts or tickets from the food festival or event as proof you attended. If possible, photograph any remaining food or the food vendor’s stall, especially if there were signs of poor hygiene.
Report the incident. File a complaint with your local health department or food safety authority. They can investigate and potentially prevent further cases. Notify the festival organizers about your illness, specifying the food vendor involved.
Contact an experienced food poisoning lawyer. Contact a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer specializing in food safety cases to explore compensation options.
What Compensation Can You Seek for Food Poisoning?
Victims of food poisoning may seek compensation for medical costs incurred due to their illness. This includes emergency room visits, hospitalization, diagnostic tests (like stool tests to identify the pathogen), prescription medications, and follow-up care. If complications arise, such as severe dehydration or long-term gastrointestinal issues, ongoing medical treatments may also be compensated. Document all medical expenses and retain receipts, invoices, and medical reports as evidence.
If food poisoning causes you to miss work or affects your ability to perform your job, you can claim compensation for lost wages. This includes income you would have earned during the period of your illness. For self-employed individuals or freelancers, income loss can be calculated based on prior earnings. In severe cases of long-term disability, compensation may cover future lost earnings.
Food poisoning can result in physical discomfort, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Victims may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Compensation for pain and suffering accounts for these non-economic damages. The amount varies depending on the severity and duration of symptoms and the impact on daily activities.
Victims may seek punitive damages in cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct, such as a vendor knowingly serving contaminated food. These are intended to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future. If you pursue a claim through legal action, you may also seek reimbursement for attorney fees and court costs. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help calculate and document these damages to strengthen your case.
Sources: https://lataco.com/la-times-101-restaurants-illness-oysters
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/12/20/norovirus-oysters-people-sick-la-times-event/77104061007/
