How Food Poisoning Occurs
If you suspect you were infected by a foodborne illness due to negligence, you may wish to speak with a top food poisoning lawyer Hyattsville MD provides. The attorneys of Cohen & Cohen have represented many victims of food poisoning and fully recovered their damages.
It can be difficult to detect if food poisoning is the cause of an illness, and where it originated. A physician can perform tests and an exam to confirm if you are suffering from food poisoning. Because it can be fatal in severe case, it may be important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Once confirmed, you can consult a Hyattsville MD food poisoning lawyer to determine which party or parties should be held liable.
Common Causes of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning occurs on a daily basis in the United States and in great numbers. Symptoms can vary greatly, depending on the severity and the type of disease that leads to the food poisoning. The diseases are usually caused by bacteria. The most common bacteria types are:
- Shigella
- Campylobacter
- E. coli O157:H7
- Botulism
What is shigella?
Shigella is a bacteria that can cause food poisoning and is usually caused by contact with human feces. Shigella causes dysentery, which results in severe diarrhea. If a restaurant employee or food handler does not properly wash his or her hands after using the restroom, they can introduce shigella to the food they handle. A food poisoning lawyer Hyattsville MD turns to for legal help may determine if there are multiple victims, which can help to pinpoint the exact cause.
What are the symptoms of shigella?
The most common symptoms are:
- Vomiting
- Cramps
- Bloody diarrhea
- Nausea
- Fever
How is shigella treated?
Your physician can run a test to determine if the shigella bacteria is present in your system. If the test comes back positive, you will need to retain copies of the documentation to present to your attorney. A food poisoning lawyer in Hyattsville MD can use this as evidence in your case.
Severe shigella infections may require a round of antibiotics and aggressive medical treatment. Dehydration is a high risk factor for those suffering from food poisoning due to shigella.
How can a restaurant or food supplier be found liable for shigella-based food poisoning?
Because the shigella virus is transferred to food after fecal contact, a food poisoning lawyer Hyattsville MD victims turn to may argue that proper hygiene methods should have been enforced. If the restroom is found to be habitually lacking in soap and hot water, these facts can also be introduced into evidence.
What is campylobacter?
Campylobacter is a bacteria that results in severe diarrhea. Campylobacter food poisoning usually occurs when contaminated water, or unpasteurized milk or food, is ingested. It can also happen after contact with pets or infants.
What are the symptoms of campylobacter?
- Fever
- Diarrhea, which can be bloody
- General uneasiness
- Abdominal cramping or pain
- Vomiting
- Nausea
How is campylobacter treated?
Campylobacter can become very serious for people whose immune systems are weakened. Even after symptoms of diarrhea have stopped, campylobacter can cause nerve and brain problems, or cause reactive arthritis.
After its presence has been confirmed by a doctor, serious cases will require antibiotics.
How can a restaurant or food supplier be found liable for campylobacter-based food poisoning?
Depending on how it was transmitted, a food poisoning lawyer Hyattsville MD respects can argue:
- That the employees did not follow food safety handling procedures, and thus contaminated the food; or
- That an employee made contact with an infant or pet, and did not properly wash their hands before handling food.
What is E. Coli O157:H7?
Increasingly, E. Coli O157:H7 is causing food poisoning incidents throughout the United States. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 73,000 cases of this strain of infection occur annually. E. Coli O157:H7 can develop when beef is undercooked, and swimming in or drinking water contaminated by sewage is another common cause. When those who have been infected do not properly wash their hands, they can spread it to others.
What are the symptoms of E. Coli O157:H7?
- Bloody diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Slight fever
How is E. Coli O157:H7 treated?
This infection can be severe for those who are aged 5 and younger, as well as the elderly. Victims can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, which destroys red blood cells and can lead to kidney failure. Those who develop hemolytic uremic syndrome often have to be admitted to an intensive care unit. A test can confirm the presence of E. Coli O157:H7.
How can a restaurant or food supplier be found liable for E. Coli O157:H7-based food poisoning?
After hiring a food poisoning lawyer Hyattsville MD victims recommend, the attorney may prove liability by establishing any of the following:
- The ground beef was not thoroughly cooked
- An employee did not properly wash their hands after using the bathroom or handling raw meat
What is botulism?
There are three main types of botulism, all of which are deadly, and are treated as medical emergencies:
- Foodborne: Caused by eating foods contaminated with botulism.
- Wound: Caused by a toxin from a wound contaminated with C. botulinum bacteria.
- Infant: Caused by ingesting botulinum bacteria spores, which grow in the intestines of children.
What are the symptoms of botulism?
Symptoms usually begin 18-36 hours after consumption, but can begin as soon as six hours or as long as 10 days:
- Muscle weakness
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Slurred or slowed speech
- Droopy eyelids
Additionally, infants can present the following symptoms:
- Constipation
- Poor eating
- Lethargy
- Weak crying
- Poor muscle tone
If left untreated, botulism can cause paralysis of the legs, arms, trunk, and respiratory muscles. After seeking immediate medical treatment, contact a food poisoning lawyer Hyattsville MD victims hire to recover damages.
How is botulism treated?
Lab tests can confirm the presence of the toxin, and the presence of identifying symptoms. The resulting respiratory failure and paralysis requires intensive care in a hospital unit. If treated early enough, antitoxin medications can eliminate the virus. A doctor can remove any remaining undigested food by inducing vomiting.
How can a restaurant or food supplier be found liable for botulism-based food poisoning?
Infections can be caused by kitchen staff or food handlers who improperly prepare foods, such as baked potatoes cooked in aluminum foil. It has also been found in chili peppers, tomatoes, and garlic that is chopped and stored in oil. Honey contains spores of C. botulinum and can cause infant botulism, so it should never be an ingredient in foods served to children younger than 12 months of age. After consulting with a skilled food poisoning lawyer Hyattsville MD has to offer, he or she may help determine who should be held liable.
Contact Cohen & Cohen without delay to speak to a food poisoning lawyer Hyattsville MD relies on to recover the maximum in damages.
