Food Poisoning Lawyers
Every year, food poisoning kills over 5,000 people in the United States and causes over 300,000 hospitalizations, resulting in suffering, discomfort and more. This happens because food is not handled or cooked correctly and becomes contaminated and hazardous, sometimes with lethal microorganisms.
If you have gotten sick from food poisoning, be sure to contact the Thomas Hunter Law Firm as soon as possible.
If you suspect you had food poisoning or a related ailment—you may be entitled to financial compensation. Throughout our 40+ years of practice, we have collected millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. We can collect just compensation for you.
Food Poisoning: Everything You Need To Know
What Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning (sometimes known as “foodborne illness”) is caused by consuming bacteria or viruses in food.
There are many ways that food can become contaminated. Food can be contaminated on the farm, during packaging, on the way to the grocery store, in a restaurant, or even in a consumer’s house. Food contamination can also occur due to poor food handling, storage, or preparation. Food poisoning can be challenging to diagnose and isolate since symptoms often occur days after consuming contaminated food. Here are some of the symptoms of eating contaminated food:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Cramps
- Fever
Food poisoning can have symptoms similar to the stomach flu or other ailments, making it difficult to diagnose. Since an initial step in recovering for food poisoning is proving that food poisoning occurred, see your doctor upon the first sign of an intestinal or stomach disorder and be prepared to inform your medical provider of your suspicions. If you happen to have some remnants or uneaten portions of the suspect food, preserve that specimen and be prepared to have it analyzed by your medical provider, if requested.
Can People Who Suffer Food Poisoning File A Lawsuit?
Yes, you can sue any responsible party if you suffer food poisoning. The identity of the negligent party may be difficult and may require the intervention of government agencies to trace the negligence to its source.
An adulterated food claim is a personal injury claim that arises when tainted food is sold and individuals become ill due to its consumption. You may be able to obtain compensation for medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and other losses by filing a valid lawsuit.
Food poisoning lawsuits are more likely to succeed when there has been an outbreak or a government agency has identified the cause of food supply contamination. In addition, food poisoning events can sometimes result in class-action cases.
What Are Some Of The Practical Issues That Come Up While Filing A Food Poisoning lawsuit?
Filing a food poisoning case has several practical challenges:
- First, people often develop symptoms of food poisoning days after consuming tainted food, making it difficult to determine which meal was to blame.
- The food may pass through many hands on its way to the ultimate consumer, so figuring who did what can be a major hurdle.
- Many food poisoning incidents aren’t bad enough to justify the time and expense of filing a lawsuit.
It is not uncommon for restaurant dishes or packaged food products to cause food poisoning, so finding multiple incidences, with multiple similarly-injured persons can lead to the common source of the food poisoning.
A personal injury lawsuit may be financially viable if the injuries are severe enough. Often that will be decided by the type of toxin involved, the effect upon the human body presented by that toxin, the extent of medical care and duration of residual problems from the food poisoning and similar considerations. In cases where people die due to food poisoning, the surviving family members may be compensated through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Who Can Be Held Liable In The Event Of A Food Poisoning Or Foodborne Illness?
The following parties involved in the food distribution chain could be held liable for food poisoning injuries:
- Restaurants
- Supermarkets
- Farmers
- Retailers
- Fast-food restaurants
- Wholesalers
- Distributors
Frequently Asked Questions
What May I Sue For In A Food Poisoning Claim?
All claims for damages are different, but the categories of damages that are available are generally the same. Injured persons can recover compensation, including the following:
- Medical costs in the past and future
- Lost earnings
- Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress
A lawyer can tell you how much you’re entitled to and what you’re likely to be able to claim.
How Much Compensation Am I Entitled To As A Result Of My Food Poisoning Claim?
The amount of compensation is determined by many factors, including the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life, the amount of your medical expenses and income loss, the length of time you are affected by the injuries, permanent restrictions due to the injuries, and so on.
Once a lawyer understands your injuries and the evidence, the lawyer will have a better understanding of the reasonable value of your claim.
How Long Does It Take To Recover On A Food Poisoning Claim?
The length of time it takes to recover on a food poisoning claim will vary based on the severity of your injuries, the facts of the case and the pace of civil litigation in your jurisdiction, if a suit must be filed. Complex cases might take months to years to resolve, depending on the circumstances.
Food Poisoning Attorney In Savannah, GA
If you or a loved one has become ill due to food poisoning, you may be entitled to compensation. Food poisoning is common, and the Thomas Hunter Law Firm can help you get fair compensation for your injuries. We handle food poisoning cases in Savannah, GA, and we’re ready to put our knowledge, experience, and resources to work for you.
A swimming pool is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. In an ideal world, there would be no need to be concerned as long as children are supervised and pool owners practice good safety steps with regard to their pools. Unfortunately, swimming pool accidents can still happen and can result in tragic consequences, including severe injury or death.
The property owner may be liable for damages, if someone is harmed or drowns in a swimming pool accident and if the owner failed to do something that should have been done or did something that should not have been done. Pools are “attractive nuisances”, meaning that they attract people to them, especially children who have inadequate regard for their own safety. For this reason, fence enclosures, fences latches, warning devices, surveillance systems and pool covers are often utilized to deter unwanted, uninvited swimmers, to alert the owner of the presence of such persons and to minimize or abate unauthorized access to the pool in its entirety.
