2nd Hep A Lawsuit Filed Against Port Chester's Bartaco

PORT CHESTER, NY — A Yonkers couple has filed the second Hepatitis A lawsuit against bartaco restaurant in Port Chester. The complaint was filed in Westchester County Supreme Court on behalf of Michael and Joan Reda. Both were infected with Hepatitis A after eating at bartaco Sept. 10.

The couple is represented by Seattle law firm Marler Clark, which is dedicated to foodborne illness, and Rochester-based Underberg & Kessler.

The lawsuit said Michael Reda began experiencing symptoms of the virus Oct. 14 and went to Lawrence Hospital for medical attention. His blood tested positive for Hepatitis A.

He continues to have check ups every two weeks to manage his symptoms.

Joan Reda’s symptoms began Oct. 20 and went for treatment Nov. 14. Her blood tested positive for the virus, and she continues receiving medical attention to monitor her symptoms.

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Bartaco Hepatitis A Class Action Lawsuit Filed

County health officials announced in late October that people who had visited bartaco for food or drinks between Oct. 12 and 23 had been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus.

More than 3,000 people were estimated to have obtained immune globulin shots along with blood tests and other diagnostic procedures.

Marler Clark is representing three people who tested positive for the virus, along with 400 others who are part of a class action lawsuit against the restaurant.

“Whether it be fast food or fine dining, poeple have a right to expect that the food served to them at a restaurant is safe to eat,” said the Redas’ attorney, Paul Nunes of Underberg & Kessler.

Dr. Sherlita Amler, Westchester County Commissioner of Health, sand Hepatitis A is generally a mild illness whose symptoms include fatigue, fever, poor appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dark urine, light-colored stool and jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes."

"There are no special medications used to treat a person once symptoms appear, but Hepatitis A transmission to others can be prevented through proper hand washing," she said.

Not everyone infected with Hepatitis A will have all of its symptoms. Symptoms commonly appear within 28 days of exposure, with a range of 15 to 50 days. Preventive treatment is only effective within two weeks of exposure to the virus, but symptoms typically do not appear until a person has had the virus for a few weeks. The illness is rarely fatal and most people recover in a few weeks without any complications.

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