Denver Vibrio Vulnificus Attorney

Vibrio Vulnificus is a bacterium that occurs naturally in sea waters and can occur in high numbers in filter-feeding shellfish (oysters, clams, and mussels). The organism is able to cause infection in people through ingestion (typically through eating raw oysters) and it most often leads to limb amputation or even death. In other words, it is an extremely dangerous food poisoning.

Scott O’Sullivan, a Denver Vibrio Vulnificus lawyer, is considered an authority in the field nationwide. If you are facing this tragic illness, if you have lost someone to it, or if you are representing clients with the illness, contact Scott. He has witnessed first-hand what you’re going through, and he is the Vibrio Vulnificus lawyer you want on your side.

Why Choose The O’Sullivan Law Firm?

Scott and his personal injury lawyers in Denver can immediately begin the process of investigating your Vibrio Vulnificus case by contacting the local health department and collecting all the relevant information, including where the oysters were harvested, where the oysters were sold, and how the oysters were handled at the restaurant or place of purchase. We have handled many Vibrio Vulnificus cases successfully, making us the nation’s most established attorneys in the field.

• At The O’Sullivan Law Firm, we handle every aspect of our client’s cases. This includes investigating what happened, dealing with insurance carriers, calculating total expected losses, and taking the case to trial.
• Every client that we take will work directly with an attorney, not a paralegal or case manager. An attorney will always be available to answer questions or concerns at every step along the way.
• We take Denver Vibrio Vulnificus cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that our clients will not have to pay any upfront or out-of-pocket expenses for their case, and they will only owe legal fees after we obtain the compensation they deserve.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

It is crucial for any person who contracts Vibrio Vulnificus to file their claim as soon as possible. The Colorado personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date an injury occurs, and this statute of limitations applies to product liability claims as well (which is often how food poisoning cases are handled). If a Vibrio Vulnificus victim fails to file their lawsuit within this two-year timeframe, they will likely lose the ability to recover any compensation for their losses.

The quicker a Denver Vibrio Vulnificus attorney is able to get involved with the claim, the better. An attorney can immediately begin gathering evidence, determining liability, and handling any negotiations for a settlement.

Who Could Be Held Liable?

There may be various parties that could be held liable in the event a person contracts Vibrio Vulnificus. Any specific individual, business, or entity involved in the contaminated food product’s chain of production could be held liable if a person becomes ill. Most people who contract these infections get them by eating raw or undercooked oysters. This means that the most common liable parties in these situations could include:

• Oyster growers
• Food processors
• Oyster distributors
• Sellers of the contaminated oysters

In general, Vibrio Vulnificus lawsuits in Denver will fall under the category of product liability claims. In these cases, a person has been sold a defective product (contaminated food) that caused an injury (Vibrio Vulnificus).

Why Is Vibrio Vulnificus Dangerous?

The chances of becoming infected by Vibrio Vulnificus from eating raw oysters depends on the number of oysters consumed, the concentration of the bacteria in those oysters, the virulence of the strain, and the condition or strength of the person’s immune system. However, once the bacteria get into a person’s bloodstream and septicemia develops, the mortality rate is between 50% to 70%. Individuals who survive the bacterial infection may lose one or more of their limbs and have severe scarring on their bodies.

What Are the Symptoms of Vibrio Vulnificus?

There is a range of symptoms that a person could experience if they contract Vibrio Vulnificus infection (vibriosis). This can include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Additionally, if this bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can lead to septicemia, which is a severe and life-threatening illness characterized by chills, nausea, lowered blood pressure, fever, and blistering skin lesions.

What Type of Compensation Is Available?

There may be various types of compensation available to victims in these cases. This can include the following types of economic and non-economic payment:

• Full coverage of medical expenses
• The cost of rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Coverage of prescription medications or medical devices
• Lost income if a victim cannot work
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of quality of life damages

Because Vibrio Vulnificus does have a high fatality rate, we also want to point out that family members may also be able to recover compensation in the event they file a successful wrongful death lawsuit. If a loved one has died due to Vibrio Vulnificus, consult with one of our Denver wrongful death lawyers. A lawyer can assist in the filing process of a wrongful death lawsuit and help family members get the compensation they deserve.

Family members may be eligible to recover compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• The cost of medical care from before the victim lost their life
• Compensation for loss of companionship, care, guidance, and support of the deceased
• Compensation for lost future earnings or inheritance the deceased would have provided

Contact Our Denver Vibrio Vulnificus Attorney

As a former insurance company attorney, Scott O’Sullivan knows how the insurance companies will try to get out of paying your claim. Further, because of his extensive experience with Vibrio Vulnificus cases across the nation, Scott knows how to get you the settlement you deserve. He will aggressively work to get you compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and for your past, present, and future medical costs. Contact us today to schedule your free case consultation.