First Salmonella Lawsuit Filed Against Memphis A&R Bar-be-que by Local Father and Son
A Memphis father and son who were both infected with Salmonella after eating food from A&R Bar-be-que filed suit against the restaurant in the Circuit Court for Shelby County on Thursday (July 30, 2009). Eric Phillips Sr. purchased food from the A and R Bar-be-que restaurant on July 9, 2009. He and his 15-year old son consumed the food over the next two days. By the end of the day on July 10, the young man had already begun to feel ill and nauseous. His mother took him to the doctor on Tuesday, where he was told to stay hydrated, and that he should improve. However, his symptoms increased in severity, and he experienced vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea over the next few days. His family took him to the hospital on Monday, July 20, and he was admitted and diagnosed with Salmonella. Although some Salmonella infections can be mild, the teenager experienced kidney failure and remains hospitalized. Meanwhile, his father was also sick. Eric Phillips Sr. sought medical treatment and was eventually hospitalized and diagnosed with Salmonella. He also experienced kidney failure.
Additionally, there were a number of people sickened who attended a Harston family reunion in Memphis that was catered by A&R barbeque.
The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention
Salmonella is a bacterium that causes one of the most common intestinal illnesses in the US: Salmonellosis. It can be present in uncooked or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, or unpasteurized dairy products, as well as other foods contaminated during harvest, production, or packaging. Symptoms can begin 6 to 72 hours from consumption, and include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. Dehydration is a concern, especially with the elderly, very young, or immune compromised.
Anyone who ate at the restaurant - or ate food from the restaurant - and is experiencing these symptoms should ask their healthcare provider to culture a stool sample. The culture will indicate if Salmonella is present and can assist in determining if the illness is part of the larger outbreak.