A U.S. Marine Corps veteran has sued a popular Illinois steakhouse, claiming that their food left him “bedridden” with permanent brain injuries.
Attorneys representing Joe Belgio, who became a firefighter after his time in the Marines and is now confined to a hospital bed, announced a lawsuit and fundraiser on his behalf, according to ABC News. The suit claims that Belgio became ill after being served oysters allegedly contaminated with bacteria and other dangerous pathogens during a meal in July 2025 at Gibsons Steakhouse in Oak Brook, Ill. The business started in 1989 in Chicago with the first of its three locations.
The lawsuit reportedly alleges that the 44-year-old Belgio was eating in the restaurant with his fiancé and other family members, including their then 5-month-old daughter, when he ate the raw oyster and suffered from a medical crisis that resulted in permanent injuries.
“He ended up getting very, very ill, and resulting in cardiac arrest 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,” Belgio’s attorney, Scott O’Sullivan, said.
A spokesperson for the restaurant denied the allegations.
“There have been no other reported cases of illness,” the spokesperson told ABC in a statement. “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.”
Belgio May Be ‘Bedridden’ For Life
The lawsuit alleges that doctors screened Belgio for bacteria and pathogens, identifying some associated with shellfish contamination.
He now needs specialized rehabilitation and is racking up hefty medical bills, according to the suit.
“I want people to be aware that this could happen to anyone,” said Melanie Stayer, Belgio’s fiancé. “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,”.
“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 added.
Balgio’s family has raised over $91,000 in fundraising to care for his medical treatment. The lawsuit said he is seeking damages of $50,000, in addition to costs covering his ongoing health care.
“He is most likely bedridden for the rest of his life,” O’Sullivan said. “He is extremely brain-damaged, with very little cognitive capacity, and will need care for the rest of his life.”
There are some 2 million Marine Corp veterans in the U.S., representing roughly 11% of all U.S. military veterans.
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