Many of us have been stricken with food poisoning. It is not uncommon for people to have food poisoning after eating at a restaurant at least once in their lives.
Every year thousands of individuals become sick, hospitalized and even die from food poisoning and other food born illnesses. Food poisoning makes many violently ill for anywhere between 24-48 hours. Episodes of vomiting and just generally feeling ill are signs of food poisoning.
Immune systems fight off the effects of food illnesses. As a result, those with weaker immune systems are most susceptible to suffer more severe effects of food poisoning. The elderly, children, and others with sicknesses that affect their immune systems tend to be most vulnerable.
Still, other food poisoning incidents occur because the food is poorly maintained, severely contaminated, or contains harmful pathogens. In these situations, all individuals, regardless of how healthy, are at risk of food poisoning.
Salmonella is one of the most common forms of food poisoning. It is a bacteria that manifests when someone ingests food that was served undercooked. Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and can even enter the bloodstream.
Campylobacter is another common form of food poisoning. Similar to salmonella, Campylobacter occurs when someone ingests undercooked vegetables, meats, shellfish, and dairy. Farmers, food inspectors, retailers, food service workers, and consumers are all critical links in the food safety chain.
E. coli is also a common form of food poisoning. E. coli arises from bad ground beef. It causes vomiting, cramping, and internal bleeding.
By serving food, restaurants owe a duty to patrons to follow laws on properly maintaining, cooking and serving foods. If they do not, they can be held liable in a court of law. Any of the people in the food safety chain can be liable for food poisoning claims.
Food poisoning is a type of personal injury. As such, if you or someone you know has fallen ill due to food poisoning, contact a personal injury attorney immediately so the attorney can properly file a claim in court.