Food Poisoning Attorney in Boston
Let an Experienced Massachusetts Lawyer Guide You
Food poisoning affects an estimated 25 percent of Americans each year. While most quickly recover, many others suffer serious illness, requiring extensive medical treatment. More than 370,000 Americans are hospitalized each year with food poisoning and another 5,700 suffer wrongful deaths.
Food poisoning cases can be complex. Determining the cause of the injury can be difficult because many symptoms are initially similar to a common flu.
At Breakstone, White & Gluck, we have over 100 years combined experience handling personal injury cases in Boston and throughout Massachusetts. We have the experience, expertise and resources to obtain the best results for our clients who have suffered foodborne illness. If you have suffered food poisoning, contact us today for a free legal consultation or fill out our contact form.
What are the types of food poisoning?
Food poisoning is caused by the negligence of individuals and companies responsible for the growing, packaging, distribution, preparation or serving of food. Food poisoning may occur in restaurants, school cafeterias, or even at picnics. It may also occur when you consume spoiled or contaminated food from the grocery store.
While there are many types of food poisoning infections, the most common in the United States include Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Samonella.
Staphylococcus aureaus, also known as Staph aureus, typically occurs when a person consumes food that is not properly refrigerated. It may also occur when someone with a skin infection handles food.
E. coli poisoning results from unsafe food preparation, unsafe processing of meat or poultry and when water is contaminated by human waste or manure.
Salmonella infection is a bacterial disease that infects humans through contaminated water or food, such as poultry, meat, eggs and fruits and vegetables which have been washed in water. Salmonella contamination often occurs at the farm, during manufacturing or when food is prepared by people who have not washed their hands.
Listeria poisoning is found in certain raw animal products such as meat and cheese as well as fruit and vegetables that have been contaminated by soil and water. In 2011, Listeria was linked to a widespread cantaloupe recall resulting in injuries and deaths. In 1998, Listeria was linked to food poisoning in hot dogs and deli meats.
Seek medical care if you suspect food poisoning
Food poisoning can result in serious illness and injury, including abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fevers, chills, bleeding, weakness, headaches, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms often start within two to six hours of consuming contaminated food.
Over the long-term, these symptoms can lead to respiratory arrest, kidney failure and problems, bleeding disorders and death. If you suspect you have food poisoning, contact a doctor. They may ask about your symptoms and what foods you have eaten recently. They may order tests. If there is leftover contaminated food, you may be asked to bring a sample in for testing.
Claims, liability and damages in food poisoning cases
There are several parties who may be liable in food poisoning cases, including farms, restaurants, grocery stores, food distributors and food manufacturers. You may be able to file a claim for negligence, which is the failure to use reasonable care. You may also be able to file for breach of warranty for the defective food product.
If you are injured, you may be able to seek damages for medical bills and lost earnings, scarring and disability, loss of enjoyment of life and pain and suffering. In wrongful death cases, you may also be able to seek punitive damages and damages for loss of consortium.
Choosing a reliable food poisoning lawyer in Boston
Your legal rights need to be protected after you suffer food poisoning. You should hire an experienced Massachusetts personal injury lawyer to protect your rights. It is important to act immediately. Massachusetts has a Statute of Limitations which may limit how long you have to file your claim.
At Breakstone, White & Gluck, our attorneys have experience representing victims in injury cases in Massachusetts. Our Case Reports page describes some of the results we have obtained for our clients. If you have suffered food poisoning, contact us today for a free legal consultation. We can be reached toll free at 1-866-824-3265, or by using our contact form.
We look forward to helping you.