Usually, the symptoms of food poisoning are mild and go away after a day or so. Not everyone is so lucky though. Sometimes food poisoning can land someone in the hospital and cause them to miss work. In rare cases, it can even result in death. If you or a loved one suffered serious harm due to poorly handled food, you may be able to sue the restaurant that served it. The Queens personal injury attorneys from our firm can help you.
What Should I Do After Getting Food Poisoning?
If you suspect that you have been a victim of food poisoning, you need to act quickly. You should:
Get the care you need: Make it a priority to get the medical care that you need. Then keep any bills and records relating to your hospital stay or any other medical care you required. These can come in handy later.
Keep the leftovers: If you brought home a doggy bag, keep those leftovers for now. It may be possible to test them and figure out the source of the problem.
Talk to a lawyer: The faster you get in touch with a lawyer, the easier it can be to build your case. Acting quickly can also help you ensure that you do not miss your chance to pursue compensation. The state sets a three-year statute of limitations for pursuing cases like these. It is doubtful that you will have trouble starting the legal process within that time frame, but it is good to be aware of nonetheless.
What Are Some Causes of Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning can be caused by a few different factors, and sometimes it is actually a combination of things that have made a meal hazardous to your health. Common causes of foodborne illness include:
- Bacteria and pathogens, like e.coli, listeria, and salmonella
- Cross-contamination when cooked foods are handled too close to raw meat
- Food handlers who do not wash their hands
- Improper refrigeration
- Undercooked foods
- A sick employee handling food
Just a small amount of carelessness can lead to a case of food poisoning and serious illness.
When Can I Sue For Food Poisoning?
You can usually only sue for food poisoning when you or your loved one suffered more serious symptoms. If you needed to go to a doctor or hospital, that costs money. If you missed work while recovering, that is another thing that can cause financial stress. You should pursue compensation that can reimburse you for these costs.
The restaurant also needs to be held responsible in cases like these. They had a duty to their customers to keep them safe. They failed at this and caused harm as a result. That needs to be addressed so that future customers, including ones who could be more susceptible to the harms of food poisoning, are safer.
Schedule a Consultation With Our Legal Team
If you are ready to sue a restaurant for food poisoning, you do not have to go it alone. The team here at the Law Offices of George Poulos is ready to assist you. Schedule a consultation and we will tell you more about how we can help you make things right.
