Tainted melons allegedly responsible for permanent brain injury

Brain injuries can have various causes. Bicycle accidents, with or without a helmet, car accidents, falls or other experiences that result in a blow to the head can all cause any number of brain injuries. Additionally, illnesses or infections can lead to a traumatic brain injury. The symptoms of a brain injury are not always evident immediately and can include anything from numbness in the extremities to memory loss or even sensory deficits.

A new lawsuit claims that a New Mexico man contracted a bacterial infection from a contaminated melon which led to his permanent brain injury. The suit states that an audit at the farm one week prior to an announced investigation of a listeriosis outbreak showed no sign of the bacteria yet one week after the announcement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Colorado Department of Health found listeria present in one-third of all cantaloupes tested at the farm. The melons were recalled but records show that 147 people across more than half of the country became ill after consuming the tainted product.

Approximately one month after eating the melon, the man displayed listeria symptoms. A few days later his partner reported actions that made him believe the man had a stroke. Nine days later, tests at a hospital identified lesions on his brain. The lesions were from the listeriosis infection. An attorney has been named guardian ad litem for the plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Sudden and unusual illness or behavior can be a sign of a brain injury. Any such injury caused by an accident, illness or other even can be serious and may warrant speaking to an attorney about.

Source: Santa Fe New Mexican, “Lawsuit says tainted cantaloupe caused man’s brain injury,” Tom Sharpe, August 1, 2013