Kahn Gauthier Swick is investigating possible legal actions on behalf of persons who contracted hepatitis A in outbreaks this fall in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. The outbreak in Pennsylvania was the largest, with 615 cases as of November 25, including three deaths. Some 300 people were sickened in the other three states. 82 cases, and one death, were sustained in Tennessee. According to the federal Food and Drug Administration, the cases in all four states are believed to have resulted from eating contaminated green onions (scallions) imported from Mexico. Contracting hepatitis A is particularly likely if the onions were raw or undercooked.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease that develops within six weeks of exposure. Hepatitis A is usually mild and characterized by jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin), fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and fever. It can occasionally be severe, leading to the need for a transplant or even death.

The Pennsylvania cases all appear to be traceable to the Beaver Valley Mall Chi-Chi's in the town of Monaca. According to Pennsylvania state health authorities, 98 percent of the people who got sick ate a menu item containing green onions. 94 percent of the sick consumed the mild salsa provided free with chips at every table. The restaurant closed on November 2.

Similarly, the Tennessee cases appear to be linked to eating at an O'Charley's restaurant in an upscale Knoxville neighborhood.

The Chi-Chi's restaurant chain filed for bankruptcy protection on October 8. Because of this, legal actions against Chi-Chi's have been put on hold. However, the bankruptcy court has authorized $500,000 to be paid in compensation to for hepatitis victims, with a maximum of $20,000 per person. This money is available to reimburse victims for medical expenses, lost wages and related costs.

Chi-Chi's has also set up a toll-free help line to take calls from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The number is 1-800-328-7761.