A single bite of raw oysters at a beloved Chicago-area steakhouse turned a family celebration into a nightmare that has lasted more than a year. Now, a Marine veteran and retired firefighter is fighting for his life, and his loved ones are demanding answers.
Joe Belgio, 44, has been confined to a hospital bed since late June 2025, according to a lawsuit filed against Gibsons Steakhouse & Bar in Oak Brook. What started as a joyful family dinner reportedly ended with Belgio in cardiac arrest just three days later.
His fiancée, Melanie Stayer, says they were out celebrating with family when Belgio ordered the oysters. At the time, the couple had just welcomed their five-month-old daughter, Carmela, into the world.
“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,” Stayer told ABC 7 Chicago.
According to the lawsuit, Belgio lost consciousness and went without oxygen for at least eight minutes when his heart stopped. He was revived by the Cicero Fire Department — the very same department where he once served.
His attorney, Scott O’Sullivan, says doctors tested Belgio for bacteria and found multiple pathogens in his system. Court documents claim the oysters carried two dangerous bacteria: Enteropathogenic E. coli, or EPEC, and Plesiomonas shigelloides.
Belgio spent months in a coma and has since suffered permanent brain damage. His lawyer says the 44-year-old is likely bedridden for the rest of his life and needs around-the-clock 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.”
Gibsons Steakhouse has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement to ABC 7 Chicago, a spokesperson said there have been no other reported cases of illness and that an internal investigation found no evidence linking the restaurant to Belgio’s condition.
The lawsuit also names two seafood suppliers, Supreme Lobster and Seafood Company, as defendants. Legal proceedings are still underway.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page describes Belgio as a loving father, a Little League coach, and a man who devoted his life to service. He served a tour of duty in Iraq and spent years protecting his community as a firefighter.
Since launching in early July, the fundraiser has raised more than $85,000 to help with his care. But his medical bills have already surpassed $1 million.
His family now faces an uncertain future, clinging to hope while navigating a heart-wrenching new reality. How does a family begin to rebuild when one meal changes everything?
