Ron Simon & Associates Files Hepatitis A Lawsuit Against Tropical Smoothie Cafe

WOODBRIDGE, Va., Sept. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the national food safety law firm of Ron Simon & Associates, along with The Warren Firm of Charlottesville, Virginia, filed a lawsuit against Tropical Smoothie Café for sale and distribution of smoothies contaminated with Hepatitis A. 

A copy of the lawsuit is attached.

The lawsuit was filed in Prince William County Circuit Court on behalf of Woodbridge resident Robert Daly. 

In July and August, Robert purchased several smoothies from the Tropical Smoothie Café located in Woodbridge, VA.  Robert considered them to be a vital part of his commitment to maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.

In late August, Robert became ill with fever, nausea, and body aches, and was forced to seek medical treatment. Initially, his physicians performed routine labs and instructed him to rest, recuperate, and stay hydrated.

But within a few days, Robert's condition rapidly deteriorated.  Doctors admitted him to Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, where he tested positive for Hepatitis A.  He spent three days in the hospital before he was released.

Robert is still recovering from his Hepatitis A illness and is under the care of his primary care physician and a gastroenterology specialist. 

Tropical Smoothie Cafe – At Least 127 Victims and Counting

On September 1, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it was investigating a multistate outbreak of foodborne HAV in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state and local health agencies. According to the CDC, the investigation began in early August when the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) identified an outbreak of Hepatitis A cases potentially linked to smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Café restaurants in that state.

The FDA, CDC, and state health officials later confirmed that frozen strawberries imported from Egypt used in the smoothies served at Tropical Smoothie Café locations were the likely source of the outbreak. Following notification by the FDA, Tropical Smoothie Cafe reported that it had stopped using Egyptian frozen strawberries in their locations in Virginia and neighboring states by August 8, 2016. 

As of noon on September 20, 2016, the VDH reports that 102 Virginia residents who have tested positive for Hepatitis A have also reported consuming a smoothie at Tropical Smoothie Cafe prior to becoming ill. Victims in seven other states have also been identified, including victims in Arkansas (1), Maryland (12), New York (3), North Carolina (1), Oregon (1), West Virginia (6), and Wisconsin (1). So far, at least 47 victims have required hospitalization, but none have died.

According to the CDC and FDA, the investigation into the source and distribution of the strawberries is ongoing, with governmental representatives in dialogue with their counterparts in the Egyptian International Health Regulations National Focal Point.

Attorney Ron Simon Issues Statement for Victims, Sets up Hepatitis A Claim Center

Attorney Ron Simon, who represents Robert Daly and a number of other Tropical Smoothie victims, issued the following statement today: "We are very concerned about the continued importation of untested fruit from regions of the world known to have a high prevalence of Hepatitis A.  This lawsuit and others will determine whether Tropical Smoothie acted with appropriate haste in pulling these tainted berries off the market before others could become ill."

Mr. Simon and his law firm have established a Tropical Smoothie Claim Center to assist victims in the outbreak.  The Claims Center can be reached toll-free at 1-888-335-4901.

Mr. Simon currently represents dozens of Hepatitis A victims across the United States, including victims of the Townsend Farms Hepatitis A outbreak which involved tainted pomegranate arils imported from Turkey.

About Ron Simon

Over the last 20 years, Ron Simon and his colleagues have prosecuted thousands of food poisoning cases for victims across the United States.  His work has resulted in numerous upgrades to food safety procedures in Fortune 500 companies and in legislation designed to protect consumers from dangerous food-borne pathogens. 

Mr. Simon and his clients have been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and virtually all other major television networks and print media.   He regularly publishes articles about food safety and litigation at www.foodpoisoningnews.com, which are read by viewers in over 180 countries.

Through litigation, media commentary, and his publications about food poisoning outbreaks and food safety, Mr. Simon relentlessly challenges food manufacturers, distributors, and restaurants to do a better job in making our food safe.  

For media inquiries or more information on the Tropical Smoothie Hepatitis A outbreak and ongoing litigation, please contact Ron Simon directly at (713) 819-8116 or [email protected].

PDF - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/ENR/DalyTropcialSmoothie_Lawsuit.pdf

SOURCE Simon & Luke LLP

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