North Carolina officials warn residents about contaminated melons

When consumers are exposed to dangerous or defective products, the results can include serious injuries, illness or even death. If this is the case, victims and their families can hold manufacturers and companies responsible by filing a product liability claim.

Often when consumers are made aware of a dangerous product, someone else has already suffered an injury or an illness because of it. Just recently, a number of cantaloupes were recalled in a number of states, including North Carolina. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned consumers that the recalled melons could cause a serious infection because many were contaminated with listeria.

Groceries stores across North Carolina have been recalling the melons, providing information to consumers that include the product stickers and where the cantaloupes originated from. And while there had been no reports of any people contracting the infection in North Carolina, more than 70 people in other states have gotten sick from the melons.

A local health department official noted that people who have consumed the contaminated cantaloupes should watch for several symptoms that could indicate the presence of the bacteria. These symptoms can include:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Muscle aches

Though the symptoms may not seem particularly dangerous, there have already been 13 reported fatalities that have been connected to the contaminated cantaloupes.

Federal investigators have linked the contaminated melons to one particular farm. This farm may be facing a number of product liability claims as well as health code concerns. A product liability claim can help hold the farm responsible for the illnesses and deaths that resulted from the tainted cantaloupes.

Source: Gaston Gazette: “Tainted cantaloupes reached NC,” Wade Allen, Sept. 30, 2011