--- title: "Marler Clark, Hepatitis A Victims File Lawsuit against Chimayo, Eastsound Restaurant" date: 2003-04-01T00:29:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/marler-clark-hepatitis-a-victims-file-lawsuit-against-chimayo-eastsound-res" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Outbreaks](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) / # Marler Clark, Hepatitis A Victims File Lawsuit against Chimayo, Eastsound Restaurant FRIDAY HARBOR, WA — A lawsuit was filed today against Chimayo, the Eastsound restaurant associated with a Hepatitis A outbreak in the spring of 2000. The lawsuit was filed in San Juan County Superior Court on behalf of George and Emilie Rankin, of Eastsound, who allege that they contracted Hepatitis A infections after eating contaminated food at Chimayo on several occasions in February and March of 2000. The Rankins are represented by Denis Stearns, a partner at Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm nationally known for its representation of foodborne illness victims. “Contamination of food by infected workers in restaurants is one of the most common sources of outbreaks like this one,” said Denis Stearns, the plaintiffs’ attorney. “The thought is not pleasant, but most Hepatitis A infections are the result of eating or drinking something contaminated by the feces of an infected person. Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver that is caused by the Hepatitis A virus. The virus is most commonly spread through contact with human stool. Symptoms include nausea, cramping, fatigue and fever. Symptoms most often begin two to six weeks after exposure, and can last up to two weeks. These can include a lack of energy, diarrhea, fever, nausea, abdominal discomfort and jaundice (yellow color to the whites of the eyes and/or skin, and darkening of urine). Young children may have mild symptoms or none at all, but are still contagious. In adults, the infection usually causes severe illness that can last for several months. \### BACKGROUND: Marler Clark has extensive experience representing victims of foodborne illnesses. The firm represented victims of the King County Subway Mt. Vernon McDonald’s Hepatitis A outbreaks in 1999. Marler Clark currently represents victims of outbreaks related to E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria, and Hepatitis in several states. Denis Stearns, one of the partners at Marler Clark, writes and speaks frequently on issues of safe food. ### Other Hepatitis A Lawsuits [Washington and California Hepatitis A Outbreak linked to Imported Strawberries](https://marlerclark.com/washington-hepatitis-a-outbreak-linked-to-imported-strawberries) [Hepatitis A outbreak - Strawberries sicken 27 in Canada and United States](https://marlerclark.com/hepatitis-a-outbreak-strawberries-sicken-27-in-canada-and-united-states) [Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria linked to Hepatitis A Outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/ginos-ristorante-pizzeria-linked-to-hepatitis-a-outbreak) [Famous Anthony's Hepatitis A Outbreak; 52 sick, 36 hospitalized and 4 deaths](https://marlerclark.com/hepatitis-a-outbreak-linked-to-roanoke-famous-anthonys-restaurants) [Los Angelos Hepatitis A Outbreak linked to 555 East American Steakhouse](https://marlerclark.com/los-angelos-hepatitis-a-outbreak-linked-to-555-east-american-steakhouse) [Marler Clark retained in Hepatitis 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The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) ##### Related Resources ###### [Hepatitis A Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/about-hepatitis) An Introduction to Hepatitis A Viral hepatitis is a major global public health problem affecting hundreds of millions of people and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Five biologically... ###### [The Incidence of Hepatitis A Infection](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-common-is-hepatitis-a-infection) How common is Hepatitis A infection? Hepatitis A incidence varies between regions and is much more common in countries with underdeveloped sanitation systems; thus, contracting hepatitis A is a risk... ###### [Transmission of Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-does-hepatitis-a-spread) How does Hepatitis A spread? Hepatitis A is a communicable (or contagious) disease that is acquired primarily by the fecal oral route either from person to person or through contaminated... ###### [Symptoms of Hepatitis A Infection](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-symptoms-risks) What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A infection? Hepatitis A may cause no symptoms at all when it is contracted, especially in children. Asymptomatic individuals may only know they were... ###### [Complications of Hepatitis A Infection](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-complications) Fulminant hepatitis A, or acute liver failure, can be a complication of hepatitis A infection. Fulminant hepatitis A is a rare but devastating complication of HAV infection. As many as... ##### Outbreak Database #### Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ View Outbreak Database ](https://outbreakdatabase.com)