Food poisoning has become an epidemic in the United States, with some 75 million cases of food poisoning occurring every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Food poisoning may affect a single person, or it can be an outbreak among a number of people who all eat an affected food product. Suffering from food poisoning can be an awful and even life-threatening or fatal experience.
Perey Law Group, PLLC is committed to helping victims of personal injury. If you or a family member has suffered injury because of food poisoning, we can help. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Compensation for Losses Due to Food Poisoning
The CDC estimates that each year in the U.S about 300,000 people are hospitalized and 5,000 people die from food poisoning. As with other types of personal injury cases, the damages or losses incurred due to food poisoning may be legally recoverable. Compensation for medical bills, lost worktime and income, rehabilitation costs, and even funeral costs and lost companionship represent just some types of recoverable damages in food poisoning cases.
Types of Food Poisoning
Poisoning that is carried in food, i.e., foodborne illness, is getting more and more common throughout the U.S., in part because of the wider range of foods available, the products that are imported, and the increasing tendency of Americans to eat their meals at restaurants and fast-food outlets. A few types of foodborne illness that are frequently experienced include:
· Listeria
· Mercury poisoning
· Botulism
· E. Coli
· Hepatitis A
· Salmonella
· Shigella
Causes and Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Dangerous foods and unsanitary food preparation and storage practices are common causes of food poisoning. Although there are strict government standards for the importing, processing, handling, and sale of foods and for the provision of food in restaurants, these standards are sometimes not met. The stage is then set for food poisoning.
Bacteria, parasites, and viruses are just some of the causes of foodborne illnesses. Symptoms that may indicate a foodborne illness include:
· Headache
· Fever
· Vomiting
· Diarrhea
· Abdominal cramps
However, a person may experience other symptoms, and if there is any suspicion that the symptoms have been caused by something eaten, a consultation with an emergency room physician or at the very least a call to a healthcare center is advisable.
The Most Vulnerable Individuals
Babies, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and the elderly are at the greatest risk for food poisoning, as are people with medical conditions that may make them vulnerable to foodborne illness such as diabetes, kidney disease, and HIV or any condition that weakens the body's immune system. A person who has recently traveled outside the U.S. may also be at risk.
Speak with a lawyer at Perey Law Group, PLLC if you or a family member has suffered from food poisoning. We can inform you of your legal rights and options.
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Perey Law Group, PLLC
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Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: (206) 443-7600
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