Chicago Food Poisoning Lawyer

Food poisoning is a severe and unpleasant health issue that can cause serious illness. Symptoms of food poisoning can range from mild stomach discomfort to severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

Did you suffer food poisoning because of someone else's negligence? The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC legally advocate for victims harmed by a foodborne illness.

Contact us at (888) 424-5757 or use the contact form for additional information and answers, or schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

What is Food Poisoning?

Food poisoning is a severe form of foodborne illness caused by contaminated food. Contaminants such as parasites, toxins, viruses, bacteria, mold, and insect/rodent exposure can all lead to food poisoning.

Victims of food poisoning may be able to seek financial compensation for related costs if another party is responsible for the contamination. Over 250 food poisoning types have been documented, with Salmonella being particularly common and found in many kinds of meat, dairy products, and some vegetables/fruit.

It is estimated that upwards of 420 people in the United States perish yearly due to Salmonella poisoning alone.

Food Poisoning Outbreaks Can Spread Quickly

Food poisoning outbreaks can spread rapidly through a community due to the closely interconnected nature of food production and consumption. Once even a single contaminated product has been consumed, many other people have likely come into contact with the same product, either directly or indirectly.

These outbreaks also spread quickly because of how quickly symptoms can occur. Particularly with bacterial contaminations, symptoms may begin within just a couple hours after eating contaminated food and often worsen up to three to four days later.

The random spreading of foodborne illness cases can be challenging for health authorities and individuals to identify what caused the infection before it spreads to more people.

Types of Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is a serious health concern that affects millions of people each year. It is caused by consuming contaminated food or beverages and can have symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Of the 250 types of food poisoning documented, Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E Coli) are the most common types of food contamination.

Food poisoning can be found in various meats, dairy, and vegetables/fruit. Common causes include E. coli, Shigella, and Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni). Symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, muscle pain, weakness, and fatigue.

If you believe you have been affected by food poisoning due to contaminated food or beverages, whether eating at home or what you bought from a food seller or a restaurant, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Botulism

Botulism is a severe food-borne illness caused by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can be found in dirt, water, air, and canned goods such as meats and vegetables.

Exposure to these bacteria can lead to severe health complications, including paralysis and even death. Symptoms of botulism include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis

In extreme cases, it can cause respiratory failure or death if not treated quickly.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver and is spread through contaminated food or water. It is estimated that 1.4 million people are affected by this virus each year, with approximately 100 of those cases resulting in death in the United States alone.

The virus can be spread through contact with an infected person’s feces, even if they do not show any disease symptoms. It means it only takes one infected person handling food or water to spread the virus to others.

Listeria

Listeria is a bacterium that can cause a food-borne illness known as Listeriosis. It is found in soil, water, and animal feces and can survive in temperatures between 0 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Most people, especially older adults, experience:

• Stiff neck
• Headaches
• Loss of balance
• Confusion
• Fever
• Convulsions
• Muscle aches

Contaminated food can transmit listeria from a pregnant mother to her unborn child or infant during birth, leading to severe complications such as meningitis or sepsis.

By following these simple steps, you can help protect yourself and your family from the dangers of listeria.

Seeing a Doctor After Consuming Contaminated Food

Food poisoning is a severe health issue that affects millions of people each year. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, including:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Fever
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Difficulty breathing/speaking/swallowing
• Dehydration

If symptoms last more than 24 hours or you suspect or know that food poisoning will cause financial loss, it is wise to visit a doctor as soon as possible. A food poisoning attorney can use your doctor's write-up of your condition to prove and determine who is the negligent party.

Individuals with food allergies also face the risk of severe reactions and should go to an emergency room immediately if they suspect any symptoms.

Why a Victim Would File a Food Poisoning Lawsuit Against Food Handlers

According to the Illinois Health Department, the significant factors contributing to foodborne contamination are bare-handed food handlers, contaminated raw products, improper storage/refrigeration, and unsanitary conditions.

Often, an individual suffers a foodborne illness because a restaurant, grocery store, product manufacturer, or other party acted negligently.

The symptoms of food poisoning can vary in onset and duration. In Illinois alone, there were 805 reported victims of food poisoning in 2020. If symptoms persist for more than three days, it is essential to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

After diagnosis, contact a food poisoning lawyer to begin the financial recovery process.

Foodborne Safety That Prevents Illness

Foodborne illnesses and poisoning are serious public health concerns in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 48 million cases of food poisoning occur yearly, resulting in hospitalizations and approximately 3,000 fatalities.

Various foods can cause foodborne illnesses, including fresh produce and fruit, raw or undercooked meat and poultry, unpasteurized dairy products, unwashed produce, and improperly refrigerated food.

The following steps can prevent most pathogens, such as E Coli,

from contaminating food:

• Washing hands before preparing or eating food
• Thoroughly cooking meats
• Properly storing leftovers
• Avoid eating soft cheeses or unpasteurized milk products.
• Washing raw fruits and leafy greens before eating them
• Avoid eating raw foods

By taking these precautions, individuals can reduce their risk of becoming ill from contaminated food.

Are You Ready to Pursue Legal Action for Food Poisoning?

Food poisoning can be a severe and debilitating illness, causing pain, suffering, medical bills, lost time at work, and diminished working capacity. If you have been the victim of food poisoning due to another party's negligence or intentional harm, you may be able to file a personal injury claim for damages.

Our experienced food poisoning lawyers are here to help seek justice for those affected by this incident. They often work with medical professionals and food safety experts to build winning cases of food poisoning lawsuits.

It is best to speak with an experienced food poisoning lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Hiring Food Poisoning Lawyers to Resolve a Compensation Case

Were you or a loved one affected by botulism or food poisoning due to contaminated food and sought medical attention immediately due to health consequences? Our food safety attorneys represent victims filing food poisoning cases to ensure they receive fair compensation.

Our law firm can provide the legal advice and representation needed to pursue compensation for your foodborne illness case to recover damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

With years of experience in the food safety area and millions of dollars recovered on behalf of our clients, a food poisoning lawyer from our office will help you prove your case over the legal process and determine the party at fault. Contact our attorneys at (888) 424-5757 or use the contact form for a free consultation.

We accept all food poisoning lawsuits and personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This agreement ensures you only have upfront costs and pay our legal fees once your foodborne illness attorney obtains compensation for you.

Resources:

• Food Poisoning Signs | CDC
• Medication for Food Poisoning | NIDDK