A Seattle, Wash., law firm is representing a woman in a class action lawsuit against a Geneva restaurant as a result of a potential outbreak of the hepatitis A virus.

The suit was filed on behalf of Rebecca Johnson of Genoa, in DeKalb County, and patrons who dined at Houlihan’s Restaurant between Jan. 8 and 19 and were subsequently advised to receive preventive shots after a restaurant employee tested positive for hepatitis A. Hepatitis A can potentially cause liver damage.

"It looks as though the quick action of the Kane County Health Department will likely prevent hepatitis A illnesses. This represents people that have experienced worry and disruption from time off work or the cost of a doctor’s visit," attorney David Babcock said.

Babcock is a member of the Seattle firm Marler Clark Attorneys at Law, which has undertaken national food-borne illness cases.