Veteran, retired firefighter suffered brain injury after eating oysters at suburban steakhouse: suit

CICERO, Ill. (WLS) -- A Cicero man who served as a Marine and firefighter remains hospitalized more than a year after suffering catastrophic health complications that his attorneys allege were caused by contaminated raw oysters eaten at a suburban steakhouse.

Attorneys representing Joe Belgio announced a lawsuit and fundraiser on his behalf, alleging he suffered permanent brain injuries after becoming ill following a meal at Gibsons Steakhouse in Oak Brook.

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Family, friends and community members gathered in support of Belgio, whose fiancé, 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 ultimately resulted in permanent injuries.

"I want people to be aware that this could happen to anyone. This was a casual day with a casual man at a restaurant that he wanted to celebrate life with his family, and life can change so quickly," Stayer said.

Belgio, once described by loved ones as a strong and healthy man, is now confined to a hospital bed, according to his attorneys.

Attorney Scott O'Sullivan said Belgio's condition deteriorated rapidly.

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"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 doctors screened Belgio for bacteria and identified several pathogens that attorneys say are associated with shellfish contamination.

O'Sullivan said the injuries have left Belgio with severe, long-term impairments.

"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, saying in a statement: "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. We are confident that a fair and thorough legal process will agree with this conclusion."

The lawsuit also names Supreme Lobster and Seafood Company as a defendant. The company had not responded to a request for comment.

Stayer said the man she knew for his service to others has been permanently changed by the ordeal.

"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," she said.

As the lawsuit moves forward, members of Belgio's former fire department are working to help ease the burden of his ongoing recovery and care, while supporters continue fundraising efforts for his family.