Man, 44, eats raw oysters in US, suffers heart attack, brain damage & goes into coma

A 44-year-old man from Illinois, United States, named Joe Belgio, reportedly suffered a heart attack and was placed in a coma for several months after dining on raw oysters at a local restaurant. According to CBS News and ABC7, Belgio contracted two dangerous bacterial infections, Enteropathogenic E. coli and Plesiomonas shigelloides, from the oysters he consumed at Gibsons Steakhouse.

In June 2025, Belgio's family celebrated with him at the restaurant when he consumed the contaminated oysters. In August 2026, Belgio's legal team announced they had filed a lawsuit against Gibsons Steakhouse, claiming that the oysters Belgio ate caused him to suffer a massive heart attack and anoxic brain injury. His lawyers stated that Belgio, a retired firefighter and former U.S. soldier, lost consciousness and went without oxygen for up to eight minutes.

Medical professionals treating Belgio determined that the illness was caused by the contaminated oysters. Belgio's lawyers revealed that he requires specialized brain-injury rehabilitation, additional therapeutic care, and ongoing support, likely resulting in permanent bedridden status. He will have little cognitive capacity and will need care for the rest of his life.

His medical expenses totaled around US$1 million (S$1.28 million), and he is seeking damages from the restaurant to help cover the costs. Aside from Gibsons Steakhouse, his lawsuit also named two other seafood establishments, Supreme Lobster and Seafood Company, as defendants. In response to questions, Gibsons Restaurant Group acknowledged the tragedy Belgio faced and expressed their commitment to providing a safe dining experience.

However, they denied the allegations, stating there were no other reported cases of illness and that there was no evidence to suggest they were responsible for his health condition.