Reactive Arthritis Lawyer

Reactive Arthritis Lawyer: Post-Infectious Reactive Arthritis

A recent gastrointestinal infection from a foodborne pathogen can lead to post infectious reactive arthritis (or “post infectious RA”). These cases of RA are called post-infectious RA because they are follow an original bacterial[1] or viral infection derived from a food borne pathogen such as salmonella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Shigella, E. coli, and Vibrio (among bacteria) and the flu, HIV, and Parvovirus (among viruses).[2] While close to 95% of victims of food borne illness will not acquire post infectious RA, it is found routinely in about 5% of the population who have suffered a recent bout of food borne illness.[3]

Unfortunately, post infectious RA can be much worse than the initial illness and have life-long consequences, including the most common effect, recurring joint pain and swelling in one or more joints. But while post infectious RA tends to target the joints in a person’s knees, ankles, and feet, according to the Mayo Clinic, RA inflammation can also cause serious swelling or inflammation in the eyes, skin, and urethra.[4]

Some cases of post infectious RA can resolve in a matter of months, but in many more it can last years and develop into a life-long condition that, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, will require a great deal of medical treatment such as pharmaceutical, surgery, or alternative therapies.[5]

Does Food Poisoning Really Cause Post-Infectious RA?

Medical research has established, unequivocally, that food borne illness can and does lead to post infectious RA, with the most concentrated area of study for food borne illness and infectious RA, as it relates to food borne illness, in the area of salmonella infections.[7] Studies vary as to the number of post infectious reactive arthritis cases follow salmonella infection (acute salmonellosis), but seem to range between 6% of victims and 30% of victims.[8] One study, for example, in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases entitled “Reactive Arthritis and Reiter’s Syndrome Following an Outbreak of Gastroenteritis Caused by Salmonella enteritidis” found that 29% of the case victims had the symptoms of reactive arthritis following acute gastroenteritis.[9]

But while the strong correlation/connection is very clear, there are a number of theories about HOW these food borne illnesses cause arthritis to set in, with ongoing research into the precise causal mechanism.[10] The research has developed several compelling theories, including some as to why some people develop post-infectious RA while others do not. There is some evidence, for example, that certain persons are more genetically predisposed to acquiring RA, and in fact, as many as 75% of those who suffer RA have tested positive for a genetic marker called HLA-B27.[11],[12] Other research shows that gender, age, triggering pathogen, and the presence of recurrent arthritis elsewhere in the body also play key roles in who gets post infectious arthritis.[13]

Avoiding Post Infectious Reactive Arthritis – Difficult at Best

Unfortunately, there is only one way to protect against RA caused by a gastrointestinal illness, and that is by avoiding food poisoning in the first place.[16] Unfortunately, that is nearly impossible to do for most consumers who must rely on the manufacturers, handlers and those who prepare their food.

For this reason, people who become sick with food poisoning usually only have remedial action at their disposal. They can bring a claim against the companies who produced, handled or served the tainted food to them in order to prevent this from happening again and to seek recovery for the damage caused by the poison food they consumed.

For more information about legal rights, contact the food borne illness attorneys of Ron Simon & Associates HERE.

How and where does Post-Infectious RA Strike Most?

Post infectious RA begins to manifest itself in the one to six weeks following the causative illness, such as Salmonella.[17] Possible symptoms of RA may include:

Visible signs include sores or rashes on the soles, palms of the hand (called Keratoderma blennorrhagica), or ulcers in the mouth;

Inflammation of the knees, ankles, and joints in the feet,

Inflammation of tendons attaching to bone (a condition known as Enthesitis);[18]

Inflammation of toes and fingers (a condition known as dactylitis);[19]

Inflammation leading to elbow pain, finger swelling or pain, and arm joint pain;

Inflammation in the eye, a dangerous condition called conjunctivitis;

Spinal inflammation (spondylitis) and lower back (sacroiliitis);[20]

Inflammation of the prostate gland and the cervix can lead to a number of problems, including urgency

An additional problem is that people often see different physicians for different ailments, such as a Gastroenterologist (GI) for the gastroenteritis and then a specialist in arthritis for the joint pain, often with visits months apart where the current treating physician is not looking for a condition caused by food poisoning after the person has recovered from the acute gastrointestinal symptoms associated with food poisoning.[21]

This can lead to several problems.

First, a patient may not receive the proper medical treatment if the link is not established.

Second, a patient will be left without a proper understanding or explanation as to the sudden onset of a condition that did not exist only weeks of months earlier.

Finally, a person seeking to preserve their legal rights may settle for a nominal amount in a food borne illness case not realizing they may have thousands of dollars of related medical treatment in the future that they have failed to incorporate into their demand.

This is where the experience and expertise of the food borne illness lawyers at Ron Simon & Associates comes in. While many lawyers can prosecute a personal injury claim, there are very few attorneys who understand post-infectious reactive arthritis, the science and identification of such cases, and the process whereby a claim for post-infectious reactive arthritis or post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome can be fully prosecuted. For more information, call 1-888-220-8941 or contact us.

Reactive Arthritis Food Poisoning Lawyers

Reactive Arthritis food poisoning is caused by a bacterial infection, caused by food poisoning. If you think you developed reactive arthritis because of food poisoning, you can consult with a reactive arthritis food poisoning lawyer. A reactive arthritis food poisoning lawyer is a legal expert that has immense knowledge in dealing with reactive arthritis food poisoning cases. If you suffer from reactive arthritis food poisoning lawyer, choose a lawyer who has experience as they will help you navigate the complex legal system and fight for your rights.

What is a Reactive Arthritis Lawyer?

A reactive arthritis lawyer is a legal expert representing people with reactive arthritis due to food poisoning-induced infection. These reactive arthritis lawyers have a deep knowledge and understanding of the medico-legal issues involved in the cases and can help you get compensation for the illness you suffer.

These lawyers collaborate with medical specialists to build robust cases and deal with insurance companies and other responsible parties. They can advocate for the legal rights of the clients in court.

If you develop reactive arthritis because of an infection, call a reactive arthritis lawyer, which may help understand your legal remedies and pursue compensation.

What does a reactive arthritis Attorney Do?

A reactive arthritis lawyer is a legal expert representing victims who have developed reactive arthritis due to an infection. The lawyers have several essential responsibilities, including:

Investigating the cause of the infection: The lawyers work with medical experts and other professionals to ensure the cause of the illness that induced reactive arthritis.

Building a case: In the next step, the lawyer collects evidence to build a robust case, including medical records, witness statements, and other important information.

Negotiating with insurance companies: The reactive arthritis food poisoning lawyer collaborates with the settlement with insurance companies and other responsible parties involved in the case.

Representing clients in court: If a settlement cannot be reached, attorneys will represent their clients to seek compensation for their illness. In case of a non-settlement outside the court, the lawyers represent the clients to seek compensation for the illness.

Legal advice: The lawyers provide legal support and aid to the clients throughout the legal process. They ensure their legal rights are safeguarded, and they can understand the process.

Can a reactive arthritis Lawyer Help?

Yes, A reactive arthritis lawyer can assist the victims. These attorneys are experienced and skilled with deep understanding and knowledge of the medico-legal issues of the cases and help the clients with hefty compensation for the illness.

A reactive arthritis attorney investigates the infection’s root cause, collects the evidence, and builds a robust case by dealing the negotiations with the insurance companies and other parties. If needed, they can represent the client in court to ensure that the legal rights of their clients are protected.

If you come across the symptoms of this illness, contact an eminent reactive arthritis attorney to help you understand the legal options and pursue compensation.

Why Should You hire a reactive arthritis Attorney?

Hiring a reactive arthritis attorney is beneficial for the following reasons:

Provide Legal Help: Reactive arthritis lawyer is a skilled and expert legal professional. He can provide legal assistance and guidance throughout the process. They can handle medico-legal issues and help the patients understand their rights and legal options.

Investigate the case: the reactive arthritis attorney can help properly investigate the case and gather evidence to build a robust case on behalf of the clients. They can take help from medical experts and other professionals to ensure the source of information and collect medical reports and other relevant information.

Negotiate with the Insurance Companies: The reactive attorneys negotiate with the insurance companies and other responsible parties to get a fair settlement on behalf of the clients. If required, they can file a lawsuit in court to get compensation for the clients’ illnesses.

A reactive arthritis lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal system and fight for your rights.

If you believe you have developed reactive arthritis because of an infection, contact a reactive arthritis lawyer to get compensation for your illness.

How much does a reactive arthritis Lawyer Cost?

There are various factors that need to be considered when calculating the price of a lawyer. Some of these are the time that the lawyer has been practicing, how big of an area they cover (is it statewide or nationwide), their level of experience and track record.

What Should You Look For In a reactive arthritis Lawyer?

Some things to look for in a reactive arthritis attorney are:

1) Being a member of a relevant legal organization, board certification in a relevant field, being a member of the bar association and being active in community organizations. Being an active member of a relevant organization shows that they have experience with the types of cases you might face.  Board certification is also important because it means that they have been tested to ensure they are skilled in their particular field.

2) Experience. Look for a lawyer that has 50 or more cases under their belt in the area of law you need assistance with. Their experience is not only relevant to how well they know the process, but also to estimates on how long it will take and how much it will cost.

3) Willingness to communicate. Many lawyers have a “bigger is better” approach when marketing themselves. While this can be good for business, it may not be so good for you if your case is small or time-sensitive. Make sure that your lawyer will listen to your needs and what you expect from them before deciding on which one to hire.

4) A reliable and strong network. Having a strong network of professionals is very advantageous. This will help ensure that your case is handled in the most effective manner possible so that you receive the greatest compensation possible.