How an Experienced Lawyer Can Help With a Food Contamination Case
Food contamination is a reference to a) the presence of harmful or disease-causing microorganisms that may be found in food and b) the potential it creates for the consumption of unsafe food. If you have suffered an illness/injury due to contaminated food, you may want to consider hiring an experienced food poisoning lawyer to represent you as you seek compensation for your damages or injuries resulting from a foodborne illness.
A lawyer for food contamination cases offers specialized legal services in food safety and is knowledgeable about important and relevant liability cases. A food contamination lawyer’s legal expertise can assist you in understanding –
*Your right to a legal remedy.
*Who may be at fault or culpable for the food contamination?
*The type of compensation for damages to cover lost wages, medical costs, pain & suffering, and more.
How Does Food Become Contaminated?
Potential food contamination can happen in a number of ways – across the various phases of production that include – food processing, preparation, transportation, storage, and more.
*Biological Contamination – which may include the presence of harmful viruses, bacteria, and various microorganisms in food items.
*Physical Contamination may happen when foreign objects are erroneously present in food.
*Chemical Contamination may happen when chemicals (e.g., pesticides, etc.) are present in food.
*Cross Contamination may happen when harmful microorganisms/chemicals are transferred from one food to another.
Food Contamination Symptoms
The symptoms of food contamination will vary based on what caused the contamination and the infection’s severity. Common symptoms associated with foodborne illness or contamination include –
*Nausea & vomiting
*Abdominal pain/cramping
*Diarrhea
*Headache or muscle aches
*Dehydration
*Fever & chills
*Fatigue
*Loss of appetite & weight loss
When severe, illness from food contamination can potentially lead to life-threatening conditions, which may include –
*Kidney failure
*Meningitis, and more
More serious complications impact certain sectors of the population at a greater frequency. Those who are more vulnerable to serious food contamination illness include –
*Young children
*Older adults
*Pregnant women
*People with weakened immune systems from disorders or medications to manage other chronic conditions.
The Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer for Food Contamination Lawsuits
Navigating any legal path can be complicated and often attached to emotions that may cloud your best judgment. An attorney with foodborne illness legal expertise can investigate the source/cause of the contamination by gathering evidence, interviewing relevant parties, and working with experts who can help determine the source of the contamination. In addition, a lawyer specializing in foodborne illness cases will have the experience –
*To negotiate with parties to the lawsuit. This may include retailers, food manufacturers, transportation companies, and more.
*To represent you in court should negotiations falter or stall, and therefore, a settlement cannot be reached.
*To provide the legal guidance and support to seek the compensation and justice you deserve based on the damages or injuries caused by contaminated food.
A lawyer that specializes in food contamination cases can hold the individual/corporations/government accountable for their actions and choices. This type of legal action is designed to act as a deterrent because the outcome may help prevent additional incidents of foodborne illnesses or even improve current safety standards related to food production, processing, transportation, and storage.
