CEDAR FALLS - A Cedar Falls couple is suing Taco John's because their 9-year-old daughter became severely sick after eating at the chain's Cedar Falls restaurant.

The suit, expected to be filed today in Cedar Rapids federal court, alleges that tacos Autumn Saul, a third-grader at Orchard Hill Elementary, ate on Nov. 29 made her so ill that she was hospitalized and required a blood transfusion. Her parents, Ryan and Angie Saul, said she is expected to make a full recovery. Dave Babcock, attorney for Marler Clark, the Seattle-based law firm representing the family, said they aren't asking for any specific damages.

"One of the reasons we did get an attorney, our medical bill is going to be crazy," Ryan Saul said.

Autumn has been hospitalized at University of Iowa Hospitals since Sunday - she was admitted to Sartori Hospital on Dec. 7 - after she developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. It's the most serious complication of E. coli poisoning, and can cause acute kidney failure, which sometimes results in kidney damage or death. About 8 percent of people hospitalized with E. coli poisoning develop the condition.

On Wednesday, Autumn underwent a blood transfusion. Her father, Ryan Saul, said the family wasn't able to donate blood because Autumn's hemoglobin count was dangerously low Wednesday morning, and doctors decided she needed a transfusion immediately. Though they're still waiting to see if her body will accept the blood, her parents said they expect their daughter to be fine.

"Her kidneys are finally out of the woods," Angie Saul said.

Despite her serious condition, Autumn has been in good spirits ever since her stomach cramps disappeared earlier this week, her parents said. On Wednesday night she was writing thank you cards to the dozens of well-wishers who have called and sent cards and balloons.

"My whole office wrote her a separate card and delivered it personally," said Ryan Saul, who is vice president of sales at PIPAC (Professional Insurance Planners and Consultants).

Ryan and Angie Saul said the last 10 days have been a blur of uncertainty and anguish.

Two days after eating at Taco John's, Autumn came down with what appeared to be flu symptoms. Because doctors had no reason to suspect food poisoning at the time, they diagnosed her with influenza, and later with appendicitis, Angie Saul said. A CAT scan revealed Autumn's colon was inflamed all the way up to her intestines, and that's when they tested her for E. coli poisoning, she said.

"It's been a very stressful and very scary situation," Angie Saul said. "Antibiotics only make the condition worse, so you just have to watch them suffer, and wait through it."

Ryan Saul said the uncertainty of the early diagnoses caused him the most anxiety.

"There's so many unanswered questions in the beginning," he said. "You don't know if there's going to be permanent damage; you don't know if it's life threatening."

The law firm Marler Clark represented 75 people in this summer's spinach E. coli outbreak, and is also representing clients affected by the current Taco Bell food poisonings.

Contact Jens Manuel Krogstad at (319) 291-1580 or jens.krogstad@wcfcourier.com.