Updates to our Terms of Use

We are updating our Terms of Use. Please carefully review the updated Terms before proceeding to our website.

Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Shigella Outbreak Brings Lawsuits to Eatery

SAN JOSE, Calif. (CN) - In the wake of a Shigella outbreak that has closed down the Mariscos San Juan No. 3 restaurant and spread across the Bay Area, two patrons of the restaurant sued after they got sick eating there.

Martin and Manuela Chavez's lawsuit filed Thursday in Santa Clara County Superior Court claims that sometime between Oct. 16 and Oct. 17, Mariscos San Juan No. 3 workers dodged safe food-handling procedures and served contaminated food to customers.

The couple mentions shrimp specifically in their 5-page complaint.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the Shigella bacteria cause shigellosis, an intestinal disease that causes diarrhea, which often is bloody, abdominal cramps and fever. Unfortunately for the restaurant, it is typically passed by contact with infected feces.

Santa Clara County health officials said Friday that the number of infections linked to Mariscos San Juan No. 3 has risen to 141, 118 of them Santa Clara County residents. Investigators believe the outbreak originated with an unidentified restaurant employee.

Officials shut down the restaurant on Oct. 18.

The Chavezes sued for personal injury, negligence and products liability and are represented by Robert Bohn Jr.

Neither Bohn nor the restaurant could immediately be reached for comment.

Categories / Uncategorized

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Loading...