In late April of 2008, San Diego County health officials announced that a number of hepatitis A infections had been traced to the consumption of food purchased from the Chipotle Grill restaurant located at 8005 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, California, near San Diego. Officials advised customers who had eaten at the restaurant between March 1 and April 22 that they might be at risk for infection. More than twenty people who ate at the La Mesa restaurant tested positive for hepatitis A infection. Seven of those victims contacted Marler Clark for assistance with their cases.
Marler Clark filed three hepatitis A lawsuits on behalf of victims of the hepatitis A outbreak traced to the Chipotle Grill. All all cases were later resolved.
Hepatitis A is a food borne virus that can be passed by infected food handlers to consumers. The virus attacks the liver, and symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, dark urine, fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, loss of appetite, and later on, jaundice. In extreme cases, liver failure can result. The virus has a long incubation period, and symptoms may not appear for fifteen to fifty days. San Diego health officials continue to urge anyone who ate at the Chipotle Grill during the infection window (5/1/08-4/22/08) to get tested for Hepatitis A.