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Class action lawsuit filed against Hardee's after hepatitis A outbreak

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Hardee's after a Charlotte location was linked to a hepatitis A outbreak.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A class action lawsuit was filed against a west Charlotte Hardee's after thousands of people were potentially exposed to hepatitis A earlier this month.

Over 1,400 vaccines were administered by Mecklenburg County health officials to people who may have been exposed at the Hardee's on Little Rock Road between June 13 - 23.

The lawsuit, which was just filed Thursday, will include all of the potentially affected customers, which is estimated to be around 4,000 people.

Brett Dressler, one of the attorneys on the case, said in the coming months, everyone will be notified of the class action suit and have the opportunity to opt out.

"Part of what these lawsuits are about is trying to raise a higher level of awareness about hep a and the risk it carries inside the restaurant business," Dressler said.

Plus, the lawsuit covers damages. The following are listed in the paperwork: potential exposure, suffering, wage loss, medical and travel expenses, emotional distress, fear of harm and humiliation, pain or injury.

This go-around is not the first time for Dressler. Last year, he filed a different lawsuit against another Hardee's owner in South Carolina in a similar case.

"There was another similar set of circumstances, about 1,500-2,000 people affected there," Dressler said. That case was later resolved and dismissed.

The defendant, Morning Star LLC, which is a franchisee of several Hardee's, did not list a contact number or email online. NBC Charlotte reached out to Hardee's for comment but has yet to receive a response.

If you are one of the thousands potentially exposed to Hep A at this restaurant, contact Brett Dessler by clicking here.

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