Gilman Law, LLP is a leading Florida personal injury attorney that offers legal representation to victims of Hepatitis resulting from medical malpractice, toxic drugs or food poisoning. The Hepatitis Lawyers at Gilman Law, LLP have helped countless Florida residents obtain the compensation they need to cover their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other relevant damages. Our Hepatitis Lawyers understand the stress this disease takes on victims and their families, and they’ll work hard to make sure those responsible for your suffering are held liable. You can be assured that the Hepatitis Lawyers at Gilman Law will do everything legally possible to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by many things such as drinking too much alcohol, abusing drugs or taking certain medications. Shoddy and unsanitary practices by medical practitioners can spread Hepatitis. Hepatitis outbreaks have also been traced to contaminated foods. Finally, there are many viruses that can also cause Hepatitis.
There are two main kinds of Hepatitis, acute Hepatitis and chronic Hepatitis. Acute Hepatitis is when a person’s liver becomes suddenly inflamed. If you have acute Hepatitis, you might experience nausea, vomiting, fever and body aches or you may not experience any symptoms. Most people get over the acute inflammation in a few days or a few weeks. Sometimes, however, the inflammation doesn’t go away. If the inflammation continues, the person may have chronic Hepatitis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year approximately 143,000 cases of Hepatitis A virus infection occur in the United States and 100 people die as a result. Hepatitis A accounts for 40% of all cases of Hepatitis and is the most common form.
Types of Hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is spread from person to person by “fecal-oral” transmission. Typically, this occurs from poor sanitary conditions. Unknowingly, a person puts something in his/her mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person infected with the Hepatitis A virus. Contamination is most commonly traced back to food processing plants or restaurants when an infected worker comes in contact with food supplies. Food such as water, shellfish, salad, cold cuts, unwashed fruit, fruit juices, milk products, vegetables, and iced drinks are commonly associated with the outbreak.
In most cases, symptoms include mild, flu-like gastrointestinal symptoms. In some severe cases, Hepatitis A can case inflammation and swelling of the liver which cause permanent damage to the liver. An estimated 1/5th of adults required hospitalization. However, most people return back to normal health.
Hepatitis B
Approximately 60,000 people acquire Hepatitis B each year. Individuals aged 20 to 49 have the highest rate of Hepatitis B. There are an estimated 1.25 million people in the US chronically infected with Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with someone infected with Hepatitis B. This can occur via sexual contact, or illegal drug use. Children born to women with Hepatitis B can contract the disease if precautions aren’t taken during childbirth.
Hepatitis B causes the liver to swell and often causes liver damage. While some people are able to recover from the virus within a few months, some people become chronically infected. Chronic infection occurs in 90% of newborns infected at birth, 40% of children infected between 1 and 5 years of age, and 6 percent of those infected after the age of 5. Fifteen to twenty-five percent of all cases of chronic Hepatitis B are fatal.
Symptoms of Hepatitis B may include:
- short, mild, flu-like illness;
- nausea, vomiting and diarrhea;
- loss of appetite;
- weight loss;
- jaundice (yellow skin and whites of eyes, darker yellow urine and pale feces)
- itchy skin.
If symptoms become severe then a person with Hepatitis B may be admitted to hospital.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is typically spread through contact with infected blood by using dirty (used) needles, using IV drugs and sharing needles, or if you received a blood transfusion before 1992. Most people don’t feel sick when they are first infected with Hepatitis C. Instead, the virus stays in their liver and causes chronic liver inflammation.
Most people who are infected with Hepatitis C don’t have any symptoms for years. However, Hepatitis C is a chronic illness. If you have Hepatitis C, you need to be watched carefully by a doctor because it can lead to cirrhosis and cancer of the liver.
Hepatitis C is usually spread through direct contact with the blood of a person who has the disease. Many times, the cause of Hepatitis C is never found. This virus can also be transmitted through sex. It can be passed from one person to another by living in the same house with someone who has Hepatitis C. Sharing razors or toothbrushes can transmit the Hepatitis C virus. It can be transmitted by tattoo needles. It can even be passed from a mother to her unborn baby. All of these ways of catching Hepatitis C are uncommon, but they do occur.
Hepatitis C can’t be spread unless a person has direct contact with infected blood. This means a person who has Hepatitis C can not pass the virus to others through casual contact such as sneezing, coughing, shaking hands, hugging, kissing, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, swimming in a pool, using public toilets or touching doorknobs.
Symptoms of Hepatitis C may include:
- A short, mild, flu-like illness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- loss of appetite;
- weight loss;
- jaundice (yellow skin and whites of eyes, darker yellow urine and pale feces);
- itchy skin.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. If left untreated, Hepatitis C could lead to severe liver damage, liver cancer, or death.
Legal Help for Victims of Hepatitis
Gilman Law, LLP is a leading personal injury law firm and is here to help you receive the maximum compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has contracted Hepatitis, it is important to contact a lawyer that specializes in Hepatitis in order to help protect your legal rights. For a free evaluation of your case, please fill out our online form, or CALL TOLL FREE (1-888-252-0048) today.