Food Poisoning

If you think you or a loved one have been a victim of food poisoning, make sure you note/document the following items:

• Where food was purchased/consumed (restaurant, supermarket, company or church event, etc.)
• Date and time if known
• Food responsible if known
• Symptoms, illness resulting
• Prehospital treatment administered
• Hospital/physician treatment administered
• Bills associated with medical treatment for the incident

Contamination of food can happen at many different contact points- from harvesting to processing, to storage, to preparing. Contamination by bacteria or fungus anywhere in this chain of events can result in food that will make people sick. Contamination often happens because the handling of food items anywhere in this chain of command can be the result of poor sanitation or hygiene by the people in contact with it. Depending on how long and arduous processing is, there are ample opportunities for food to become contaminated. Storage in containers not properly cleaned, in containers not properly sealed, or simply not being kept at a temperature that hampers bacterial growth can invite disaster. Preparing and presenting the food are the last areas of concern where food contamination can happen.

Food poisoning can occur within hours to days of ingesting contaminated items. Another factor that determines how sick a person might become from contaminated food is the amount of the product ingested (and how much bacteria it harbored). The incubation period for the bacteria also plays a role in when a person will become sick. The symptoms of food poisoning are:

• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

The symptoms of food poisoning can be uncomfortable and exhausting, but the complications of food poisoning are worse and potentially even fatal-especially to those in an already immunocompromised state. These include:

• Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
• Kidney failure
• Meningitis
• Septicemia
• Death

If you or a loved one suffered a worsening of condition or death due to food poisoning or the complications of food poisoning, you may be eligible for damages. Call the experts at the Sweeney Law Firm and let us review the facts to see if you have a tainted food lawsuit. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no fee for representation unless a settlement or recovery of funds is made on your behalf.