WOOD TV reports that he Michigan Department of Community Health is investigating an outbreak of a potentially deadly strain of E. coli bacteria. One person in Kent County, five people in Michigan and people in several other states have gotten sick. The culprit appears to be undercooked ground beef.

“It feels like your insides are full of battery acid,” Kevin McDermed, who said he contracted E. coli, and described to 24 Hour News 8 Wednesday.

He said he was hospitalized for 10 days. He had abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea. He said it was the worst pain he has ever experienced.

“I didn’t have a clue what was going on. I’ve never been sick like that before in my life. Never,” he said. “Lucky to be alive, thank God.”

He did not suspect the rare hamburger he got at a restaurant was the cause of his illness.

“I had no idea that I was that close to death or how serious it was until I started reading about it,” McDermed said.

E. coli:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products.  The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s.  We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.

If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.