Hundreds sickened by Chipotles in Ohio
An outbreak of gastrointestinal illnesses has affected between 600 and 700 people who ate at one Chipotle restaurant located in Powell, Ohio. Additional reports of illnesses have been linked to two other Chipotle restaurants in Delaware County. The Delaware General Health District and the Ohio Department of Health are still trying to pinpoint the exact causes of the illnesses as well as the number of people who have been sickened by the food they purchased from these Chipotle restaurants.
As food poisoning lawyer Ron Simon told NBC investigative reporters, he is actively filing lawsuits on behalf of Chipotle customers who have become ill with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. The health department has found food safety violations at one of the restaurants and is continuing to investigate all three restaurants.
Attorney Simon pointed out that employees could be creating unsafe conditions as “sometimes with these fast food restaurants, employees are moving back and forth between different restaurants to cover shifts.” Simon added that “99 percent of the problem is simple. It’s usually an employee that comes to work sick that is going to the bathroom and not washing their hands and therefore touching numerous meals throughout the day.”
Food that is not prepared properly or that is handled by employees who do not follow appropriate food safety protocol can become contaminated. Salmonella and Ee. coli are two foodborne illnesses that can cause people to develop illnesses with sometimes serious gastrointestinal symptoms.
If you are a victim of the Chipotle outbreak, please contact the food poisoning lawyers at 1-888-335-4901 to learn more about your legal options.