Food Poisoning Law Blog

There is the possibility of exposure to hepatitis A for customers of the Jamba Juice located at 1140 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose.  A food handler who worked at this Jamba Juice location has been diagnosed with a hepatitis A infection. The food handler worked while potentially infectious on several dates in August, including August 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16.

If the infected food handler did not follow good hand hygiene and food safety practices, patrons who ate at the San Jose Jamba Juice on the dates above could have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus.

If you have had a hepatitis A vaccine or have had the illness in the past, you are protected from hepatitis A infection. The Public Health Department is recommending that those persons who are not protected and are within 14 days of exposure, receive hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin (IG).   The following is from the San Jose Public Health Department:

• If you were exposed to the virus in the last 14 days, you can benefit from the vaccine, which is very effective in preventing illness. The vaccine is recommended for children and adults from the ages of 12 months to 40 years of age who are not pregnant, immune compromised or have chronic liver disease.
• If you over 40 years of age, pregnant, immune compromised, have chronic liver disease, or are an infant under 12 months of age, and ate or drank at this particular Jamba Juice location in the last 14 days, immune globulin (IG) is available for prevention of infection.
• If you ate or drank at the location after August 1st but more than 14 days ago, you should watch for symptoms of hepatitis A. If you experience symptoms, please contact your medical provider. The vaccine or IG treatment will not prevent illness in people exposed prior to 14 days ago.
  

The Public Health Department has been working in cooperation with Jamba Juice to address the situation.  A San Jose Public Health Department Press Release states the following:

Jamba Juice has informed the Public Health Department that they will pay eligible individuals who satisfy reimbursement requirements. Reimbursement will be for reasonable, out-of-pocket medical expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis A.  

The statement does not mention payments for pain and suffering or emotional distress related to the diagnoses and treatment of hepatitis A.  If you are diagnosed with hepatitis A, a lawyer can protect your rights and pursue just compensation for all of your damages.

Pritzker | Ruohonen is currently representing victims of a hepatitis A outbreak linked to a restaurant and has litigated numerous foodborne illness cases.   To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online contact form.