{"id":44821,"date":"2026-08-14T17:42:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T12:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=44821"},"modified":"2026-08-14T17:42:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T12:42:41","slug":"marine-vet-is-bedridden-for-life-after-allegedly-eating-contaminated-oysters-at-a-steakhouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=44821","title":{"rendered":"Marine Vet Is Bedridden For Life After Allegedly Eating Contaminated Oysters At A Steakhouse"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The worst thing that is supposed to happen at a steakhouse is burning your tongue on a too-hot piece of ribeye, or dropping a glass of red wine on a white shirt, or ordering the clam chowder and spending the next morning regretting it. But then again, you are at a steakhouse, so what were you doing ordering clam chowder in the first place?<\/p>\n<p>These are the acceptable steakhouse risks. Manageable, maybe embarrassing at worst. What happened to <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/08\/11\/us-news\/marine-vet-retired-firefighter-joe-belgio-suffers-permanent-brain-damage-after-allegedly-eating-contaminated-oysters-at-illinois-steakhouse\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Joe Belgio<\/a> on June 30th, 2025 at Gibsons Steakhouse in Illinois was none of those things. He ordered oysters, and he has not come home since.<\/p>\n<h3>The worst thing you are supposed to pick up at a steakhouse is a red wine stain on your white shirt, not a life-threatening illness<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock8-6a7efc1ea8e19__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?image_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock8-6a7efc1ea8e19__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Family Celebration Takes A Dark Turn As Marine Vet Gets Brain Damage After Eating Raw Oysters\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?media_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock8-6a7efc1ea8e19__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock8-6a7efc1ea8e19__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock8-6a7efc1ea8e19__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"673\" alt=\"A marine vet lies in a hospital bed with brain damage after eating raw oysters.\" title=\"A marine vet lies in a hospital bed with brain damage after eating raw oysters.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/61577727129888\/posts\/-a-marine-veteran-and-retired-firefighter-has-spent-more-than-a-year-hospitalize\/122187309524924237\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Legal team of Joe Belgio<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Army vet and retired firefighter, Joe Belagio, went to a Chicago steakhouse to celebrate life with his family<\/h3>\n<p>Joe Belgio is a Marine Corps veteran who completed a tour of duty in Iraq and is also a retired Illinois firefighter. He is a family man, a Little League coach, and father to a young daughter. On June 30th, 2025, he and his fianc\u00e9e Melanie Stayer went out to Gibsons Steakhouse and Bar in Oak Brook, Illinois, to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/woman-before-and-after-plastic-surgery-photos-divide-the-internet\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener \">celebrate<\/a> with family.<\/p>\n<p>It was a casual evening marked by a good meal, even going all out with Oysters as a starter. Three days later, Joe went into cardiac arrest. He lost consciousness and was without oxygen for at least eight minutes before being revived by the Cicero Fire Department, the same department he had previously served.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock2-6a7efc2151cff__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?image_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock2-6a7efc2151cff__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Family Celebration Takes A Dark Turn As Marine Vet Gets Brain Damage After Eating Raw Oysters\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?media_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock2-6a7efc2151cff__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock2-6a7efc2151cff__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock2-6a7efc2151cff__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" alt=\"A marine vet, recovering from brain damage after eating raw oysters, with his family.\" title=\"A marine vet, recovering from brain damage after eating raw oysters, with his family.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/help-joe-fight-for-his-life-veterans-road-to-recovery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Melanie Stayer \/ Gofundme<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Three days after the restaurant visit, he suffered from cardiac arrest, leaving his brain starved from oxygen for 8 minutes<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock5-6a7efc2545e90__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?image_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock5-6a7efc2545e90__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Family Celebration Takes A Dark Turn As Marine Vet Gets Brain Damage After Eating Raw Oysters\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?media_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock5-6a7efc2545e90__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock5-6a7efc2545e90__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock5-6a7efc2545e90__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" alt=\"A marine vet, in a wheelchair, interacts with a baby, after suffering brain damage from raw oysters.\" title=\"A marine vet, in a wheelchair, interacts with a baby, after suffering brain damage from raw oysters.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/help-joe-fight-for-his-life-veterans-road-to-recovery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Melanie Stayer \/ Gofundme<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>His legal team is arguing that a plate of oysters was the culprit, giving him a foodborne disease that made him severely sick<\/h3>\n<p>Joe was rushed to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/perez-hilton-first-words-from-hospital-bed-after-livestream\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener \">hospital<\/a>, where doctors screened him for bacteria and found several pathogens in his system. The lawsuit alleges he contracted two dangerous bacteria from the oysters. The first, Enteropathogenic E. coli, known as EPEC, and also Plesiomonas shigelloides.<\/p>\n<p>After months in a coma, he has been confined to a hospital bed requiring around-the-clock care. \u201cHe is most likely bedridden for the rest of his life,\u201d his attorney Scott O\u2019Sullivan said. \u201cHe is extremely brain damaged, with very little cognitive capacity, and will need care for the rest of his life.\u201d \u201cHe wanted to celebrate life with his family, and life can change so quickly,\u201d his fianc\u00e9e Melanie said.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><span data-aa-adunit=\"\/46481815\/bp.com_desktop_singlepost_bottom_728x90\" id=\"adverge-div-gpt-ad-1491844427478-6\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock11-6a7efcf6daa8c__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?image_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock11-6a7efcf6daa8c__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Family Celebration Takes A Dark Turn As Marine Vet Gets Brain Damage After Eating Raw Oysters\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?media_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock11-6a7efcf6daa8c__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock11-6a7efcf6daa8c__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock11-6a7efcf6daa8c__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" alt=\"Three raw oysters on a bed of white stones with lemon and herbs, a potential cause of brain damage.\" title=\"Three raw oysters on a bed of white stones with lemon and herbs, a potential cause of brain damage.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.magnific.com\/free-photo\/raw-oysters-with-lemon-ice_20989886.htm#fromView=search&amp;page=1&amp;position=4&amp;uuid=4ab343c9-f10d-43b5-96a1-6d5299ae3855&amp;track=ais_test_b&amp;query=oysters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">fabrikasimf \/ Magnific (not the actual photo)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>He has been in hospital for more than a year, having never returned home after taking ill in June 2025<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock6-6a7efc283f20b__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?image_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock6-6a7efc283f20b__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Family Celebration Takes A Dark Turn As Marine Vet Gets Brain Damage After Eating Raw Oysters\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?media_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock6-6a7efc283f20b__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock6-6a7efc283f20b__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock6-6a7efc283f20b__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"604\" alt=\"A marine vet, in his uniform, before suffering brain damage after eating raw oysters.\" title=\"A marine vet, in his uniform, before suffering brain damage after eating raw oysters.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/help-joe-fight-for-his-life-veterans-road-to-recovery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Melanie Stayer \/ Gofundme<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>His family started a GoFundMe to help cover the medical bills that have amounted to more than a million dollars<\/h3>\n<p>Joe has already accumulated over $1 million in medical bills. A GoFundMe launched on July 8th, 2025, has raised close to $100,00 to help cover his care, a significant amount, and still nowhere near enough.<\/p>\n<p>The lawsuit names Gibsons Steakhouse and Bar as the primary defendant, along with two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/lifestyle\/food\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener \">seafood<\/a> suppliers, Supreme Lobster and Seafood Company. Gibsons has pushed back firmly, releasing a statement saying there have been no other reported cases of illness and that their internal investigation found no evidence their establishment caused Joe\u2019s condition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock9-6a7efc2ca9aea__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?image_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock9-6a7efc2ca9aea__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Family Celebration Takes A Dark Turn As Marine Vet Gets Brain Damage After Eating Raw Oysters\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?media_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock9-6a7efc2ca9aea__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock9-6a7efc2ca9aea__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock9-6a7efc2ca9aea__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"603\" alt=\"A happy marine vet with a baby, smiling during a family celebration before eating raw oysters.\" title=\"A happy marine vet with a baby, smiling during a family celebration before eating raw oysters.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/help-joe-fight-for-his-life-veterans-road-to-recovery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Melanie Stayer \/ Gofundme<\/a><span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span><\/span><span class=\"sources ai-mark\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">ai-assisted image<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The restaurant maintains that they did not serve contaminated oysters, but Joe\u2019s legal team is taking it to the courts<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><span data-aa-adunit=\"\/46481815\/bp.com_desktop_singleimage_bottom_728x90\" id=\"adverge-div-gpt-ad-1491844427478-3\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are confident that a fair and thorough legal process will agree with this conclusion,\u201d a spokesperson said. The case is ongoing, and while Joe remains in hospital, his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/toxic-disabled-mil-caregiving-crisis\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener \">daughter<\/a> Carmela is growing up without her father. And a man who survived a tour of duty in Iraq and who ran into burning buildings for a living is bedridden because of an oyster.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAn ex-Marine and firefighter who has devoted his life to protecting others and serving his country,\u201d his GoFundMe reads. \u201cJoe has always been the first to lend a hand when help is needed.\u201d Right now, he is the one who needs the hand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock4-6a7efc31bbdbb__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?image_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock4-6a7efc31bbdbb__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Family Celebration Takes A Dark Turn As Marine Vet Gets Brain Damage After Eating Raw Oysters\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?media_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock4-6a7efc31bbdbb__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock4-6a7efc31bbdbb__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock4-6a7efc31bbdbb__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"581\" alt=\"A marine vet and his baseball team during a family celebration, before the raw oysters caused brain damage.\" title=\"A marine vet and his baseball team during a family celebration, before the raw oysters caused brain damage.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/help-joe-fight-for-his-life-veterans-road-to-recovery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Melanie Stayer \/ Gofundme<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Experts argue that unwashed produce, undercooked meat, and contaminated water could also carry the bacteria<\/h3>\n<p>Raw oysters are riskier than most people think. The bacteria alleged to have caused Joe\u2019s condition are both found in aquatic environments and can contaminate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/animals\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener \">shellfish<\/a>, particularly when those shellfish are consumed raw.<\/p>\n<p>The US <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/food\/buy-store-serve-safe-food\/selecting-and-serving-fresh-and-frozen-seafood-safely\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">FDA<\/a> has long advised that raw shellfish carries an inherent risk of bacterial contamination, and that people with compromised immune systems, liver conditions, or certain health vulnerabilities are at significantly higher risk of serious illness. But Joe Belgio was 44 years old, fit, a former Marine and firefighter. He was not in a high-risk category.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock1-6a7efc343b1c1__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?image_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock1-6a7efc343b1c1__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Family Celebration Takes A Dark Turn As Marine Vet Gets Brain Damage After Eating Raw Oysters\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?media_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock1-6a7efc343b1c1__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock1-6a7efc343b1c1__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-stock1-6a7efc343b1c1__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"405\" alt=\"Gibsons restaurant, where the marine vet ate raw oysters, leading to brain damage.\" title=\"Gibsons restaurant, where the marine vet ate raw oysters, leading to brain damage.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/2010-even-previously-cited-mishandling-137096322.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Gibsons Bar &amp; Steakhouse \/ Google Maps<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The case is still pending, but his family are not giving up yet<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-6a7efec71a73e__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?image_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-6a7efec71a73e__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Family Celebration Takes A Dark Turn As Marine Vet Gets Brain Damage After Eating Raw Oysters\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters\/?media_id=joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-6a7efec71a73e__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-6a7efec71a73e__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-6a7efec71a73e__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"368\" alt=\"GoFundMe for the marine vet with brain damage, with a picture of his family, after eating raw oysters.\" title=\"GoFundMe for the marine vet with brain damage, with a picture of his family, after eating raw oysters.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/help-joe-fight-for-his-life-veterans-road-to-recovery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Melanie Stayer \/ Gofundme<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Public reports and legal statements describe him becoming severely and gravely ill with standard foodborne <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/lifestyle\/health\/\" class=\" staff-link\">illness<\/a> symptoms. In most cases, it would resolve within a few miserable days and leave you with a strong opinion about raw shellfish. But in Joe\u2019s case, the combination of two particularly aggressive bacteria created what can only be described as a perfect storm.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/epicentre.org.za\/2025\/09\/09\/epec\/?srsltid=AfmBOooxMEOKFnGnTchAj9zXBRm6AvHG1CLITduHSV16sI_BPdmBkjQq\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">EPEC<\/a> and Plesiomonas shigelloides together can trigger a cascade of systemic infection that, in severe cases, overwhelms the body\u2019s ability to cope, leading to sepsis, organ stress, and ultimately, cardiac arrest. Both bacteria can technically be contracted through other routes like contaminated water, undercooked meat, unwashed produce, and cross-contamination in kitchen environments.<\/p>\n<p>Joe\u2019s legal team believes the oysters were the culprit, but the restaurant\u2019s investigation found no supporting evidence. That question is now for the courts to answer.<\/p>\n<p>Would you still eat oysters after reading this? Tell us in the comments!<\/p>\n<h3>People in the comments had lots to say about if and when it is safe to eat oysters and other shellfish<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"\/><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"\/>     <\/div>\n<p><script type=\"didomi\/javascript\">\nwindow._fbSDKPromise = window._fbSDKPromise || new Promise((resolve, reject) => {\nwindow.fbAsyncInit = function () {\nFB.init({\nappId  : '887842622821495',\nversion: 'v17.0',\nstatus : true,\ncookie : true,\nxfbml  : false\n});\nresolve(FB);\n};\n\/\/ Load SDK only once\nif (!document.getElementById('facebook-jssdk')) {\nconst script = document.createElement('script');\nscript.id = 'facebook-jssdk';\nscript.async = true;\nscript.src = `https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/${BoredPanda.Config.wp_lang}\/sdk.js`;\nscript.onerror = reject;\ndocument.head.appendChild(script);\n}\n});\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The worst thing that is supposed to happen at a steakhouse is burning your tongue on a too-hot piece of ribeye, or dropping a glass of red wine on a white shirt, or ordering the clam chowder and spending the next morning regretting it. But then again, you are at a steakhouse, so what were&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44822,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/joe-belgio-brain-damage-oysters-fb.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsweek-trending"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=44821"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44821\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/44822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=44821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=44821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=44821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}