Food Poisoning Lawyer Reston, VA
If you or someone you care about got sick in a restaurant in Virginia because of shellfish allergies or food poisoning, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with a food poisoning lawyer Reston VA community members can trust.
Shellfish allergies are among the most common of food allergies in the United States affecting up to 2% of the population. Normally, we see them in adults but they can affect children as well. Obviously a shellfish allergy is going to occur after eating shellfish, but remember not all shellfish actually have shells. Squid and octopus can cause these allergies and they do not have shells at all. More commonly we see it with shrimp, crab, oysters, mussels, clams, and other mollusks including even snails that people might eat. If someone tells the staff at a restaurant or other eatery that they are allergic to shellfish, the restaurant may be liable if he or she gets sick with food poisoning-like and other symptoms.
If this has happened to you or someone you care about, you may find it beneficial to enlist the help of a reputable food poisoning lawyer in Reston, VA who is familiar with the laws that make food service industries responsible for ensuring that people do not get sick after eating their food.
Most shellfish allergies are relatively benign; you can get a stuffy nose or you can get swollen lips. You can also expect to vomit, have diarrhea or abdominal pain, or run a fever. Some shellfish allergies are life-threatening, causing a reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis occurs when the patient has difficulty breathing; the blood pressure may drop and they may get a very fast heart rate. They may also lose  consciousness. Anaphylaxis is best treated with an injection of epinephrine. If you or a loved one has ever experienced anaphylaxis, you should never be very far from an epinephrine auto-injector, or what is commonly known as an EpiPen. You can carry these with you wherever you go and it does not take a whole lot of space.
The symptoms for shellfish allergies can be similar to food poisoning. When someone gets sick from shellfish or food poisoning in Reston, VA, it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer who is familiar with Reston and its surrounding communities.
Exposure to shellfish, even in small amounts or in the form of fish paste or fish powder can cause an allergic reaction. If you have shellfish allergies, remember to carefully check labels and menus and be diligent in asking about anything that you are uncertain about. Shellfish allergies and fish allergies are not the same thing and just because you have one allergy, does not necessarily mean that you have the other. Regardless of why it may have happened, if you get sick after eating food, a good food poisoning lawyer in Reston, VA may be able to help.
If you have shellfish allergies, you should avoid places where shellfish is predominantly served, like crawfish restaurants or shrimp kitchens. Even cooking shellfish can release allergy-causing compounds into the air and trigger an allergic reaction. Currently there are no cures for shellfish allergies, just medications used to stop reactions from occuring. Speak with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have regarding your shellfish allergies. If you have gotten sick, it may be a good idea to find out what your rights are from a food poisoning lawyer in Reston, VA.
Deaths that occur due to an anaphylactic reaction (from consuming shellfish) are very rare, but they are more common than with any other food allergy. A skin prick test can easily identify if you have a shellfish allergy. If you are not aware if you have a shellfish allergy, there is a test that involves puncturing your forearm skin and introducing a miniscule amount of the shellfish allergen to it. If you are allergic to shellfish, an itchy, small, red dot will appear.
Common symptoms of mild cases include:
- A tingling sensation in the mouth.
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain or contractions
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Trouble breathing
- Wheezing
- Congestion in the chest
- Hives or excessive itching
- Swelling of the face, hands, throat, tongue, lips, or fingers
- Dizziness
- Fainting
Because some of the symptoms of food poisoning and shellfish allergies can be similar, do not hesitate to discuss your issues with a food poisoning lawyer who serves Reston, VA and its surrounding communities.
Common symptoms of severe cases include:
- Anaphylaxis
- Rapid pulse
- Death
- Coma
- Extreme dizziness
- Difficulty standing
- Difficulty talking
- Difficulty breathing
- A severe drop in blood pressure (or, shock)
The effects of shellfish allergies and food poisoning are not easy to deal with. Many people find them easier to deal with when they have a lawyer on their side protecting their rights.
For a food poisoning lawyer Reston, VA victims of food problems have been able to rely on in the past, contact Cohen & Cohen today for a free case consultation and evaluation.
