Lawsuit: Retired Firefighter Brain-Damaged After Raw Oysters

An Illinois man who served as a Marine and a firefighter has been hospitalized for more than a year after what his attorneys allege was a case of illness caused by contaminated raw oysters eaten at a suburban Chicago steakhouse.

Attorneys for Joe Belgio announced a lawsuit and a fundraiser on his behalf, alleging that he suffered permanent brain injuries after becoming ill following a meal at Gibsons Steakhouse in Oak Brook. The suit also names Supreme Lobster and Seafood Company as a defendant.

Belgio's fiancée, Melanie Stayer, said the couple had been celebrating with family at the restaurant in June of last year. Their daughter was 5 months old at the time.

"He's one of the rarest people you will ever meet in your life. He was a God-fearing man. Success to him was having a family," Stayer said.

According to the lawsuit, Belgio became severely ill after eating raw oysters, leading to a medical crisis that resulted in permanent injuries. Attorney Scott O'Sullivan said his condition deteriorated rapidly.

"He ended up getting very, very ill, and resulting in cardiac arrests where he lost consciousness and oxygen for at least eight minutes, and was revived by this very fire department, and has been in the hospital ever since," O'Sullivan said.

The lawsuit alleges that doctors screened Belgio for bacteria and identified several pathogens that his attorneys say are associated with shellfish contamination.

"He is most likely bedridden for the rest of his life. He is extremely brain damaged, with very little cognitive capacity, and will need care for the rest of his life," O'Sullivan said.

A spokesperson for Gibsons Oak Brook disputed the allegations. "There have been no other reported cases of illness. Based on the facts and our internal investigation, there is no evidence to suggest that our establishment caused his health condition," the statement said. "We are confident that a fair and thorough legal process will agree with this conclusion."

Supreme Lobster and Seafood Company had not responded to a request for comment.

"This is a man who deployed. He ran into burning buildings, and you thought he was out of the line of fire, and really, he wasn't," Stayer said.

Members of Belgio's former fire department are raising money to help cover the cost of his ongoing care.