McCray Law Firm

Guillain-Barre-Syndrome

Guillain -Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is triggered into attacking itself by destroying the Myelin Sheath that surrounds the axons of the peripheral nerves. The Myelin Sheath speeds up the nerve signals allowing those signals to travel farther.

Initial symptoms are generally characterized by a weakness in the extremities, usually beginning with the feet and legs. The feet and hands will “tingle” and the legs will feel “rubbery” and tend to buckle. Over a period of hours and days, the numbness worsens to paralysis which progresses in an ascending fashion.

Most People affected by (GBS) require hospitalization, and in about 30% of the cases, patients require being connected to a ventilator.

Researchers are unsure as to what actually triggers the onset of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The disease is generally preceded by a viral or bacterial infection that causes severe intestinal distress. Some cases of (GBS) have been connected to the use of antibiotics such as Zithromax, and vaccinations for the Flu, Influenza, Hepatitis, Meningitis, and Anthrax.
About 50% of the cases of (GBS) occur shortly after a microbial infection like campylobacter and E-coli. The most common triggering factor is the presence of Campylobacter-jejuni, a type of bacteria found in undercooked poultry.

It is interesting to note that in the cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome litigated to date in the State of Oklahoma, the patients ate undercooked poultry from fast food restaurants on an empty stomach. The onset of the patients’ symptoms were identical. They all suffered from a severe bout of food poisoning, requiring hospitalization. They all lost a significant amount of weight, and had severe dehydration and diarrhea. Approximately 3 to 5 days after recovering from the food poisoning, the patients began to feel a weakness in the legs and a tingling in the hands and feet. In the most severe case, the patient was on a respirator for nine months paralyzed from the neck down, and had medical bills exceeding 3 million dollars.

The McCray Law Firm was very successful in holding the restaurant liable, and compensating the patient for lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and future medical expenses. IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW HAS SUFFERED FROM GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME AS THE RESULT OF FOOD POISONING FROM A RESTAURANT, CONTACT THE MCCRAY LAW FRIM TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.