--- title: Listeria date: 2010-12-01T13:49:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/listeria" section: Litigation Landing Pages --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) / # Listeria Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium *Listeria monocytogenes*. *Listeria* has been found in a variety of raw foods, such as uncooked meats and unpasteurized (raw) milk products. *Listeria* is killed by heating, but contrary to many other bacteria it thrives in the cool temperatures such as those provided by refrigeration. Therefore *Listeria* may be found on ready-to-eat foods such as cheese, hot dogs, deli meats, or produce. **Symptoms of Listeria Infection** *Listeria* has an incubation period of 21-70 days, so a person with an infection may not realize it for sometime after eating a contaminated food. When symptoms develop they typically manifest themselves in the form of fever, muscle aches, and sometimes diarrhea or nausea. A *Listeria* infection may spread to the nervous system which may cause headache, stiff neck, loss of balance, or convulsions. In some cases *Listeria* may infect the central nervous system causing meningitis and/or brain infection. If a pregnant woman becomes infected, miscarriage, sillbirth, or infection of the newborn can occur. ## What to do if you think you have Listeria If you think you or someone you know has contracted a *Listeria* infection consult a doctor immediately. If you or a family member became ill with a *Listeria* infection after consuming contaminated food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, you can contact the Marler Clark attorneys for a free case evaluation. The Marler Clark *Listeria* lawyers have unmatched [*Listeria* litigation experience](http://www.marlerclark.com/practice_areas/view/listeria-outbreak-litigation "Listeria litigation experience") and are readily available to talk with you about your legal options regarding any damages or losses incurred as a result of your *Listeria* infection. **Marler Clark has represented countless *Listeria* victims and is the only firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on plaintiff foodborne illness litigation.** You can fill out the contact form or call toll-free at 800-884-9840. There is no cost to you. ### Listeria outbreaks and recalls August 23, 2023 ###### [Listeria outbreak: Three die after drinking contaminated milkshakes](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/listeria-outbreak-three-die-after-drinking-contaminated-milkshakes) Three people have died, and three others are in hospital after drinking milkshakes contaminated with listeria bacteria in the US state of Washington, health officials … July 12, 2023 ###### [2011 Listeria outbreaks linked to cantaloupes: A history](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/2011-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-cantaloupes-a-history) A total of 148 persons infected with any of the five outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported to the CDC from 28 states. The … May 20, 2023 ###### [A quick look at the 2018 Hepatitis A outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-quick-look-at-the-2018-hepatitis-a-outbreak) Litigation proceeded in a Virginia state court against Tropical Smoothie and the strawberry supply chain. 134 people with Hepatitis A were reported from nine states … [1. View all ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) ## All Listeria Resources [###### Listeria Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/about-listeria) [###### The Incidence of Listeria Infections ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/the-incidence-of-listeria-infections) [###### The Prevalence of Listeria in Food and the Environment ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-prevalence) [###### Transmission of and Infection with Listeria ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/transmission-of-and-infection-with-listeria) [###### Who is Most at Risk of Becoming Ill with Listeria? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/who-is-most-at-risk-for-becoming-ill-with-listeria) [###### What Are the Symptoms of Listeria Infection? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-symptoms-risks) [###### Complications of Listeria Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/complications-of-listeria-infection) [###### How is Listeria Infection Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Listeria Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-treatment) [###### Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/antimicrobial-resistance-in-bacteria) [###### The Economic Impact of Listeria Infections ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/the-economic-impact-of-listeria-infections) [###### Preventing Listeria Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-prevention) [###### Listeria References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)