Sickened in Michigan’s Cyclospora Outbreak? Know Your Rights
Michigan is at the center of the largest Cyclospora outbreak in recent U.S. history. As of early August 2026, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has reported more than 12,000 cases of cyclosporiasis statewide, with hundreds of hospitalizations and two deaths connected to the outbreak. Most cases are concentrated in Southeast Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, Monroe, Lenawee, Livingston, Jackson, and Shiawassee counties.
If you or a family member became seriously ill with cyclosporiasis this summer, you may have a legal claim — and the steps you take now can make a real difference in protecting your health and your rights.
What Is Cyclospora?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite — most often fresh produce. Unlike many foodborne illnesses, Cyclospora is not known to spread from person to person.
Symptoms typically begin about a week after exposure and can include:
- Frequent, watery diarrhea
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Stomach cramps, bloating, and gas
- Nausea and fatigue
- Low-grade fever
Left untreated, symptoms can last a month or longer, and they often relapse — seeming to improve before returning. Dehydration is a serious risk, particularly for older adults, young children, and people with underlying health conditions. The illness is treatable with a specific antibiotic, but here’s the catch: routine stool tests do not always screen for Cyclospora. If you have ongoing diarrhea, tell your doctor about the outbreak and ask specifically about Cyclospora testing.
What We Know About the Source
MDHHS investigators have interviewed more than a thousand Michigan patients, and the available information points to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source of the Michigan outbreak. However, no specific produce type, grower, or supplier has been officially confirmed as the source of Michigan’s outbreak, and the investigation is ongoing.
Separately, the FDA and CDC are investigating a related multistate Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce. In that investigation, federal officials traced lettuce served at certain Taco Bell restaurants — including locations in Michigan — to Taylor Farms de Mexico. On July 17, 2026, Taylor Farms recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, including Marketside-brand bagged lettuce sold at Walmart with best-by dates from July 18 through August 3, 2026, as well as products distributed to restaurants and food service companies.
Identifying exactly where and how someone was exposed is one of the most important — and most technical — parts of any food illness case. That’s where experienced legal help matters.
Why You May Have a Legal Claim
Food producers, distributors, restaurants, and retailers have a legal duty to sell food that is safe to eat. When contaminated food makes people sick, Michigan law allows victims to pursue compensation for:
- Medical bills, including hospitalization and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and the disruption to your daily life
- In the most tragic cases, wrongful death damages for surviving family members
Cyclosporiasis may sound like “just a stomach bug,” but for many victims it has meant weeks of debilitating illness, emergency room visits, hospital stays, missed work, and lasting health effects. Those losses are real, and the law recognizes them.
Ruby Injury Law and Bill Marler: Michigan Roots, National Strength
Food illness claims are a recognized practice area at Ruby Injury Law, and we don’t handle them alone. We work with Bill Marler of Marler Clark, the nation’s leading food safety law firm. For more than 30 years, Marler Clark has represented victims of nearly every major foodborne illness outbreak in the United States and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for its clients.
That partnership gives Michigan families the best of both worlds: a local firm that knows Michigan courts and will be your personal point of contact, backed by the national resources, scientific experts, and outbreak-litigation experience that these complex cases demand.
What to Do if You Got Sick
- See a doctor — and specifically ask about Cyclospora testing, since standard stool panels can miss it. Effective antibiotic treatment is available.
- Save your records. Keep receipts, credit card statements, loyalty-app purchase histories, and any leftover packaging from produce or restaurant meals eaten in the two weeks before you got sick.
- Cooperate with your local health department if they contact you. Their interviews help trace the source — and document your case.
- Write down what you ate and where, while your memory is fresh.
- Talk to an attorney before accepting anything from an insurance company or signing any release.
Keep in mind that legal claims have deadlines. In Michigan, personal injury claims are generally subject to a statute of limitations, so it’s important not to wait to find out where you stand.
Free Consultation for Michigan Cyclospora Victims
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with cyclosporiasis — or suffered a serious, lasting gastrointestinal illness this summer — contact Ruby Injury Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Call 248-539-7439 or fill out the contact form below. We’re here to answer your questions, help you understand your options, and fight for the compensation your family deserves.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Case counts current as of August 11, 2026, per MDHHS.