A Bozeman mother and her teenage son have filed a lawsuit against Chipotle after the boy fell ill with salmonella following a visit to the restaurant’s Main Street location, a case that connects to a broader multi-state outbreak affecting hundreds of people.

The 16-year-old dined at the Bozeman Chipotle on July 9 and began experiencing symptoms — including nausea and watery diarrhea — five days later on July 14. He subsequently tested positive for salmonella and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a serious inflammatory bowel condition. He continues to experience symptoms.

The lawsuit comes as federal health officials track a growing salmonella outbreak tied to Mexican-style restaurants. The CDC has logged more than 300 cases across at least 25 states, with most patients reporting they had eaten at restaurants including Chipotle or Qdoba prior to becoming ill.

Salmonella infections can cause lasting gastrointestinal complications, and in some cases — as appears to have occurred here — can trigger or accelerate chronic conditions like ulcerative colitis. The Bozeman family’s legal action seeks to hold Chipotle accountable for the boy’s ongoing health consequences.

Chipotle has not publicly commented on the Montana lawsuit. The multi-state scope of the outbreak suggests a potential issue in the company’s supply chain or food handling practices, though investigators have not publicly identified a single confirmed source.