Business & Tech
Woman Sues Costco, Alleges She's Hospitalized From Berries
In isolation at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, the woman alleges she's in guarded condition from liver inflammation from frozen organic berries she bought at the Lakewood Costco.
A woman in isolation at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Monday night sued Costco over berries she bought in Lakewood that she alleges gave her Hepatitis A.
Lynda Brackenridge of Lakewood remained in guarded condition with severe liver inflammation from consuming Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berries she bought late last month, according to her products liability and negligence suit. Brackenridge also names Townsend Farms Corp. as a defendant.
A Costco representative could not be immediately reached for comment on the Los Angeles Superior Court suit. Costco announced Friday that it had removed the product from its stores. The City of Long Beach issued a health advisory Friday alerting the public of the health risks and the product being blamed.
In Brackenridge's lawsuit filed Monday, she alleges that she contracted hepatitis A from frozen berries she bought at the Costco warehouse chain's store in Lakewood. She is seeking unspecified damages.
Brackenridge first began having health problems May 22, when she experienced chills, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and a loss of appetite, according to her court papers.
``Over the next few days, she began to experience additional symptoms, including vomiting and dry heaves, darkened urine and yellowing of the eyes and skin,'' the suit says. Last Thursday, she says, her doctors told her that her liver enzymes were high and she was given an ultrasound. By Saturday, a specialist confirmed she had hepatitis A and that she would have to be kept away from other patients, according to the lawsuit.
Before contracting hepatitis A, Brackenridge says she led an active life that included hiking, kayaking and climbing.
--City News Service and Nancy Wride contributed to this report.
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