Food Poisoning Claims
If you believe you have a food poisoning claim and would like to speak with a top food poisoning lawyer District Heights MD offers, call Cohen & Cohen for a free consultation. Our attorneys have successfully represented thousands of personal injury victims and recovered more than $100 million in damages on the behalf of our clients.
After reviewing your case, a District Heights MD food poisoning lawyer can help give you an indication as to whether you have a good chance of recovering damages. Food poisoning claims may be complicated and difficult to prove, but our legal team at Cohen & Cohen has an extremely successful track record.
Food Poisoning is Common and Potentially Fatal
Unfortunately, America’s food supply is not as safe as it should be. In 2010, 48 million Americans suffered from varying degrees of food poisoning. An estimated 128,000 victims are hospitalized every year from food poisoning, and 3,000 die after eating contaminated food. Food may be contaminated in the field during processing, transportation, handling, or meal preparation. Very often, customers of grocery stores and patrons of restaurants are victims of food poisoning. If this has happened to you, it may be crucial to contact a food poisoning lawyer District Heights MD victims hire after sustaining personal injuries.
The Most Common Types of Food Poisoning
A qualified medical doctor may run a test to determine if you are suffering from food poisoning, and if so, which strain of bacteria or parasite is the cause. If your test comes back positive for food poisoning and the resulting symptoms are serious, you will likely want to provide your food poisoning lawyer in District Heights MD with the test results. The following are some of the more common causes of food poisoning:
- Botulism. This occurs most often in baked potatoes, canned vegetables, meat products, seafood, and chili peppers in garlic oil. This may result in paralysis because the nerve function is disrupted by toxins. An injection of antitoxin can help reduce its effects, but the botulism must be diagnosed in time. Unfortunately, this injection will not help the nerves that have already been damaged. Extensive rehabilitation therapy will likely help most nerves regenerate.
- Campylobacter. Symptoms from this type of food poisoning include cramps, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, and may last anywhere from two to ten days. Rest and lots of fluids is usually recommended for treatment and to help avoid dehydration.
- Salmonella. This type of bacteria thrives in the intestines of people and animals, and it spreads when food is contaminated with feces. It often occurs in contaminated raw eggs, meat, seafood, and poultry. Fruits and vegetables may be infected with salmonella if they are washed or watered with contaminated water. Symptoms often include cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea. If salmonella bacteria enters the bloodstream, it may become extremely dangerous and might result in endocarditis, osteomyelitis, or meningitis. If you or someone you know has been a victim of salmonella from food purchased in a store or restaurant, it may be important to speak with a food poisoning lawyer District Heights MD victims recommend.
- Cryptosporidium. This can appear when a person ingests a parasite that lodges itself in the intestinal wall. Food or water that contains this parasite may infect the victim if they swim in the water or drink it. Merely touching one’s hand to their mouth after being in contact with a contaminated source is enough to become infected. It is especially dangerous for those with weakened or compromised immune systems. If a loved one has passed away due to complications from food poisoning, a food poisoning lawyer District Heights MD trusts may be able to recover damages on behalf of your family.
- E. Coli. This type of bacteria dwells in the intestines of animals and humans. Most strains of E. Coli are harmless, but some may cause vomiting, severe diarrhea, and cramps. It is especially dangerous for the elderly and young children, as it may cause life-threatening kidney failure. If restaurant staff and other food handlers do not keep themselves and their work environment clean, they might spread this bacteria onto food. An experienced food poisoning lawyer District Heights MD injury victims turn to for legal representation can help conduct an investigation to confirm whether the restaurant staff was negligent.
- Listeria. Serious infections may result from listeria, which are especially dangerous for young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Severe and irreversible symptoms — or even death — may result. Consult with a food poisoning lawyer District Heights MD residents rate highly if you suspect listeria was the cause of your illness. Restaurants and food retailers may pass it onto consumers through contaminated cheese, raw milk, ice cream, cooked or raw poultry, raw meats, raw vegetables, and cooked or raw fish. For pregnant women, listeriosis may result in:
- Septicemia
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Cervical or intrauterine infections
- Hepatitis A. This is a very contagious infection that is usually caused by drinking water contaminated with hepatitis A. It might also develop after eating raw shellfish from contaminated water. If someone is a carrier of the disease and did not properly wash their hands after using the bathroom, they may pass the infection onto consumers by handling their food. In the most severe cases, hepatitis A can cause liver failure, particularly among the elderly. After consulting with a food poisoning lawyer District Heights MD consumers respect, you will likely have a better understanding of your legal options.
- Norovirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that norovirus is the most common cause of foodborne illness in America. Twenty-one million people contract this disease every year. More than 70,000 people are hospitalized as a result, and it is blamed for 800 deaths annually. It’s commonly spread by drinking or eating contaminated beverages or food. It may also spread when people use contaminated utensils or touch infected objects and subsequently touch their mouth. Because it’s a virus, antibiotics are not effective. Fluids and sufficient rest are usually the only method of treatment.
Contact Cohen & Cohen
Call us today at 301-250-1957 if you have been the victim of food poisoning. One of our experienced food poisoning attorneys can review your case during a free, no obligation consultation. Do not delay in contacting us if you need a food poisoning lawyer District Heights MD victims turn to for help.
