Orange County Listeria Lawyer

Representing Victims of Listeria and Food Poisoning in Southern California 

Orange county listeria lawyerLiving with a Listeria infection can have devastating, life-threatening consequences, especially when it could have been prevented. Aitken * Aitken * Cohn’s Orange County Listeria lawyer has built a strong record of holding negligent food manufacturers, restaurants, and distributors accountable for contamination. Whether the outbreak stems from deli meats, unpasteurized dairy, or ready-to-eat products, our team has helped victims across Southern California recover damages for medical bills, lost income, and lasting health complications. Contact our food poisoning attorneys today for a free consultation—because corporate negligence shouldn’t go unpunished.

Understanding Listeria and Listeriosis: A Serious Threat in Orange County

Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous bacterium that causes listeriosis, one of the most severe forms of food poisoning. Unlike many foodborne illnesses, Listeria can thrive in refrigerated environments, making it a hidden danger in everyday groceries and restaurant meals. In Orange County, where fresh produce and imported foods are staples, Listeria contamination poses a unique risk to vulnerable groups like pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Listeriosis can lead to life-threatening complications, including meningitis, sepsis, and miscarriage. According to health experts, symptoms often mimic the flu but can escalate rapidly, requiring immediate hospitalization. As your trusted Orange County Listeria attorney, Aitken * Aitken * Cohn understands the science behind these infections and uses it to build strong cases against those responsible for unsafe food handling.

Common Symptoms of Listeria Infection and When to Seek Help

Recognizing Listeria symptoms early can make all the difference in your recovery and legal claim. Initial signs typically appear 1-4 weeks after exposure and include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Muscle aches and fatigue
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Headache and stiff neck
  • Confusion or loss of balance

In severe cases, especially among high-risk individuals, symptoms can progress to convulsions, encephalitis, or even death. If you’ve experienced these after consuming potentially contaminated foods in Orange County—such as soft cheeses, deli salads, or smoked seafood—seek medical attention right away and preserve any evidence, like receipts or product packaging.

Our Orange County Listeria lawyers advise documenting your symptoms and treatment immediately. Delaying could weaken your ability to prove the source of your illness, but with our help, you can focus on healing while we investigate.

Recent Listeria Outbreaks and Recalls Impacting Orange County, CA

Orange County residents have faced multiple Listeria scares in recent years, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilant food safety enforcement. Just this month, September 2025, Albertsons stores across Southern California recalled several store-made deli items—like bowtie pasta salads—due to potential Listeria contamination from a supplier. This recall affects products sold at popular chains, underscoring the risks in everyday shopping.

Earlier in 2025, a multistate Listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat sandwiches and snacks from Fresh & Ready Foods hospitalized at least 10 people in California, with products distributed through local airports, hotels, and convenience stores in areas like Orange County. Additionally, a deadly outbreak tied to Walmart’s Marketside pasta meals, including linguine and meatball varieties, has expanded to 15 states, including California, sickening over 20 and causing four deaths as of late September 2025. These incidents often stem from improper processing or cross-contamination in supply chains serving Orange County markets.

Historical outbreaks, like the 1985 incident in Los Angeles and Orange Counties that infected 86 people, remind us that Listeria risks persist without accountability. As leading Orange County Listeria contamination attorneys, Aitken * Aitken * Cohn monitors these developments closely and has represented victims in similar recalls, securing substantial settlements.

Sources of Listeria Contamination: Why It Happens in Orange County

Listeria spreads through contaminated food and water, often due to lapses in sanitation during production, processing, or distribution. Common culprits in Orange County include:

  • Deli meats and ready-to-eat sandwiches: Sliced turkey, ham, or salami that aren’t heated properly.
  • Dairy products: Unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses like feta or brie, and queso fresco.
  • Produce and salads: Pre-packaged greens or sprouts from local farms or importers.
  • Seafood: Smoked fish or raw shellfish from coastal suppliers.
  • Processed foods: Frozen meals or pasta dishes from big-box stores like Walmart or Albertsons.

In bustling Orange County eateries and grocery chains, rushed preparation or inadequate refrigeration can turn safe foods deadly. Food safety regulations exist, but violations are common—our Orange County food poisoning lawyers have uncovered negligence in lab testing, employee training, and storage protocols to prove liability.

Who Is Liable in a Listeria Lawsuit? Holding Negligent Parties Accountable

When Listeria strikes, multiple parties may share responsibility, and our experienced team at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn knows how to identify them. Potential defendants include:

  • Food manufacturers and processors: For failing to sanitize equipment or test for bacteria.
  • Grocery stores and restaurants: Like Albertsons or local delis in Irvine, Anaheim, or Santa Ana, for improper storage.
  • Suppliers and distributors: Importing contaminated goods without proper checks.
  • Government entities: In rare cases, if public health oversight failed.

Under California law, you have the right to sue for negligence if contaminated food caused your listeriosis. Proving the link requires expert witnesses and chain-of-custody evidence—areas where our Orange County Listeria attorneys excel. We’ve taken on giants in the food industry, ensuring victims aren’t left to bear the costs alone.

Compensation Available for Listeria Victims in Orange County

If a Listeria infection has upended your life, you may be entitled to comprehensive compensation. Our Orange County Listeria lawyer fights for every dollar, including:

  • Medical expenses: Hospital stays, antibiotics, and ongoing therapy for complications.
  • Lost income: Wages from missed work, plus future earning potential if disabilities arise.
  • Pain and suffering: Emotional distress, reduced quality of life, and family impacts.
  • Wrongful death: For families grieving a loved one lost to listeriosis.

In past food poisoning cases, Aitken * Aitken * Cohn has recovered millions for clients, often without you paying upfront fees. We work on contingency, meaning no win, no fee. Your case’s value depends on factors like illness severity and outbreak scope, but we’re committed to maximizing your recovery.

Why Choose Aitken * Aitken * Cohn as Your Orange County Listeria Attorney?

With over 40 years serving Orange County, Aitken * Aitken * Cohn stands out as the premier choice for Listeria victims. Our firm boasts:

  • Proven results: Billions recovered in personal injury cases, including high-profile food contamination settlements.
  • Local expertise: Offices in Santa Ana, right in the heart of Orange County, for convenient access.
  • Compassionate approach: We treat clients like family, guiding you through every step with clear communication.
  • Trial-ready team: Board-certified attorneys who aren’t afraid to go to court against deep-pocketed corporations.

Unlike general injury firms, our Orange County Listeria contamination lawyers specialize in foodborne illness, leveraging cutting-edge investigations and partnerships with food safety experts. When you choose us, you’re choosing justice backed by experience.

Contact an Orange County Listeria Lawyer Today—Your Recovery Starts Here

Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen or evidence to fade. If you’ve been affected by a Listeria outbreak in Orange County, CA, reach out to Aitken * Aitken * Cohn now. Contact us for a free case review with one of our dedicated Orange County Listeria lawyers. We’re here 24/7 to listen, advise, and advocate—your fight for justice is our priority.