Teavana Worker May Have Spread Hepatitis A to Tea Shoppers

A worker at a Teavana store in Indianapolis had Hepatitis A, and may have exposed shoppers at the tea store who tried samples.

Teavana, which is owned by Starbucks, said in a press release that it has thoroughly disinfected the store, including disposing of all its tea makers.

The store offered free tea samples to passers-by, according to the release. The Marion County Public Health Department, says that anyone who drank tea samples at the Keystone store on either April 5th or 12th should watch for Hepatitis A symptoms, including nausea, fever, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Additionally, if consumers are concerned that they are infected, they should contact their doctor immediately.

The health department is also offering a free Hepatitis A vaccine to consumers who may have ingested tea from the store on April 19th, because they may still benefit from the treatment.

“It’s kind of an extra-cautionary step but we did feel that the public needed to know,” said Melissa McMasters, coordinator of the county’s immunization and infectious disease program.

Proper hand washing for food service workers offers the first line of defense for protection against Hepatitis A, as the disease is spread through fecal-to-oral contact. There is also a vaccine for Hepatitis A, but there is no requirement in Indianapolis for food service workers to be vaccinated.

Hepatitis A affects the liver and can range in severity, from a mild illness that lasts a few weeks to a few months.

Federal Prosecution of Hepatitis A and Communicable Diseases

Knowingly infecting other people is a serious criminal offense, whether the infection is Hepatitis A, C, or HIV. It can be considered assault with intent to do bodily harm. If the crime occurs across multiple state lines, it becomes a federal issue.

Assault and battery are two different but related crimes that frequently happen simultaneously and, as a result, are usually prosecuted jointly. Assault involves the act of threatening to injure someone, while battery refers to the actual act of violence. Both assault and battery are taken extremely seriously in a court of law and carry heavy penalties including jail time and more.

If you cannot file for criminal or federal charges, personal injury lawsuits can help you recover medical costs and punish the person that infected you. Medical malpractice personal injury lawsuits can also help a medical professional from continuing dangerous practices that could lead to the spread of disease.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Personal Injury Claims for Medical Negligence, Including for Hepatitis A

If you or a loved one have been injured, harmed, or killed from contracting serious communicable diseases like Hepatitis A, HIV, or meningitis, you may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help get you the compensation you deserve, to get you through these tough times. We are licensed to practice across South Carolina, Georgia, and New York. To help you with your case, we offer free, confidential consultations. Do not hesitate to contact us. 803.252.4800