Tampa Bay Injury Attorney Blog
Derby Lane in Pinellas County has announced an employee has been diagnosed with Hepatitis A.
Known for its live greyhound racing, poker and dining events, Derby Lane took the potential exposure very seriously, according to reports.
The business worked closely with the Health Department during the investigation.
The employee was diagnosed on September 22 and has been treated, according to reports.
The employee is not allowed to return to work until cleared by the Florida Department of Health.
As of September 30, 2019, the state of Florida has had 3,174 total cases of hepatitis A. Of these cases, 2,255, or 71%, have resulted in hospitalization. Since January 1, 2018, 43 deaths related to hepatitis A have been recorded in Florida.
In the United States, as of October 4, 2019, there have been 26,789 total hepatitis A cases reported from 30 states. Of these, 16,157, or 61%, have resulted in hospitalization. A total of 274 deaths have been recorded.
What Is Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection that is caused by the hepatitis A virus. This is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that result in inflammation and affects your liver’s ability to function. Most people contract hepatitis A from contaminated food or water or by having intimate contact with someone who is already infected. While mild cases do not require treatment, severe cases can result in permanent liver damage.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A
It can be hard to tell right away if you have contracted hepatitis A as the symptoms of hepatitis A infections usually do not surface for a few weeks. Symptoms of hepatitis A include, but are not limited to:
- Low-grade fever
- Dark urine
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain near your liver on your right side beneath your ribs
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes
To further complicate matters, not everyone with hepatitis A will develop these signs or symptoms. You can easily be exposed to hepatitis A and spread it to others without knowing that you have it.
If you are experiencing any symptoms at all that you think could be linked to hepatitis A, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will recommend a vaccine or immunoglobulin therapy within two weeks of exposure to prevent infection. You should also see a doctor if you:
- Dined at a restaurant, such as Derby Lane in Pinellas County, which reported a hepatitis A food poisoning outbreak.
- Live with someone who has been diagnosed with it.
- Recently had sexual relations with someone who has hepatitis A.
Causes of Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is most often spread through the ingestion of fecal matter. This most commonly happens in restaurants when someone serves food without carefully washing their hands. Drinking contaminated water or having sex with someone who has the virus can cause an infection as well. Even if someone is not currently suffering from hepatitis A symptoms, they can still spread the infection to you.
Preventing Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis A Vaccine: The hepatitis A vaccine is typically administered in two doses. Young children, lab workers, people with chronic liver disease and those traveling in areas that have a high rate of hepatitis A, are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine.
- Take precautions: If you are traveling in regions where there is a high incidence of hepatitis A, take preventive measures to protect yourself and others, such as washing fruits and vegetables, using bottled water and avoiding undercooked meat and fish.
- Good hygiene: Always wash your hands after going to the bathroom, before preparing food or eating and after changing a baby’s diaper.
Pursuing Compensation for Hepatitis A
If you have been exposed to hepatitis A in Tampa Bay or anywhere else in Florida, you may be able to pursue financial compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, cost of medication, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Our Tampa Bay Hepatitis A Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can provide you with more information regarding your legal rights.
Hepatitis A Food Poisoning Lawyers in Pinellas County
Once you hire our Tampa Bay Hepatitis A Outbreak Lawyers to represent you, we will begin gathering the evidence needed to connect your illness to a specific food product or location in the area. Once that is completed we can move on to interviewing you and others to find out how you contracted the illness and how it adversely affected your life. When we have sufficient evidence we can then send a demand letter asking for a specific amount of money to the company or companies responsible for the hepatitis A. We will negotiate with the other companies involved and when necessary, take your case to trial.