CICERO, Ailing. — An Illinois man who served as a Marine and firefighter stays hospitalized greater than a yr after struggling catastrophic well being issues that his attorneys allege had been brought on by contaminated uncooked oysters eaten at a steakhouse.
Attorneys representing Joe Belgio introduced a lawsuit and fundraiser on his behalf, alleging he suffered everlasting mind accidents after changing into sick following a meal at Gibsons Steakhouse in Oak Brook.
Household, mates and neighborhood members gathered in assist of Belgio, whose fiancé, Melanie Stayer, stated the couple had been celebrating with household on the restaurant in June of final yr. Their daughter was 5 months outdated on the time.
“He is one of many rarest folks you’ll ever meet in your life. He was a God-fearing man. Success to him was having a household,” Stayer stated.
Based on the lawsuit, Belgio turned severely sick after consuming uncooked oysters, resulting in a medical disaster that finally resulted in everlasting accidents.
“I need folks to bear in mind that this might occur to anybody. This was an informal day with an informal man at a restaurant that he needed to rejoice life together with his household, and life can change so shortly,” Stayer stated.
Belgio, as soon as described by family members as a robust and wholesome man, is now confined to a hospital mattress, based on his attorneys.
Lawyer Scott O’Sullivan stated Belgio’s situation deteriorated quickly.
“He ended up getting very, very sick, and leading to cardiac arrests the place he misplaced consciousness and oxygen for not less than eight minutes, and was revived by this very fireplace division, and has been within the hospital ever since,” O’Sullivan stated.
The lawsuit alleges docs screened Belgio for micro organism and recognized a number of pathogens that attorneys say are related to shellfish contamination.
O’Sullivan stated the accidents have left Belgio with extreme, long-term impairments.
“He’s most certainly bedridden for the remainder of his life. He’s extraordinarily mind broken, with little or no cognitive capability, and can want look after the remainder of his life,” O’Sullivan stated.
A spokesperson for Gibsons Oak Brook disputed the allegations, saying in a press release: “There have been no different reported instances of sickness. Based mostly on the information and our inner investigation, there isn’t a proof to recommend that our institution brought about his well being situation. We’re assured {that a} honest and thorough authorized course of will agree with this conclusion.”
The lawsuit additionally names Supreme Lobster and Seafood Firm as a defendant. The corporate had not responded to a request for remark.
Stayer stated the person she knew for his service to others has been completely modified by the ordeal.
“This can be a man who deployed. He bumped into burning buildings, and also you thought he was out of the road of fireplace, and actually, he wasn’t,” she stated.
Because the lawsuit strikes ahead, members of Belgio’s former fireplace division are working to assist [url HREF=”https://joebelgio.com” TARGET=”_blank” REL=”nofollow”]ease the burden[/url] of his ongoing restoration and care, whereas supporters proceed fundraising efforts for his household.
