When you want to catch up with your friends, you may suggest going out to a restaurant to bond over delicious food and drinks. You may also choose to go out to a restaurant to eat if you don’t feel like cooking a meal after a long day of work. Whatever the case may be, you may decide to eat out. However, this choice may wind up costing you later on. Unfortunately, you may come down with food poisoning after consuming a meal at a restaurant where you were severed adulterated food. Although most cases are mild, severe foodborne illnesses can result in serious health complications. That being said, if you have contracted food poisoning after eating out at a restaurant you may be entitled to significant compensation. Keep reading to learn whether or not you can file a personal injury lawsuit for food poisoning. In addition, please contact one of our trusted Washington D.C. Injury Attorneys who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
What is food poisoning?
Food poisoning is an illness that people suffer after drinking or eating something contaminated with harmful bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli. Food can become contaminated in several ways including neglecting to store food properly or cook it thoroughly. This foodborne illness usually causes an upset stomach, diarrhea, aching muscles, chills, and vomiting. Typically, symptoms start within a few hours of consuming the contaminated food. In most cases, this type of illness gets better without treatment. However, more severe cases can result in a trip to the emergency room.
How can I determine whether I am eligible for compensation?
Despite some people contracting mild illnesses that pass after a few days, some foodborne infections are serious or even life-threatening. In some cases, you may have to be hospitalized and receive specific treatment as this type of illness can lead to serious health problems and permanent damage.
Legally, you can file a personal injury claim against a restaurant for food poisoning. However, you may only do so if you can prove that the food you were served at the restaurant made you sick. To do so, you will have to first prove that you were diagnosed with this foodborne illness by a medical professional. From here, you will have to prove that you ate food from the restaurant which directly caused you to contract the illness or that you contracted the illness from another person who ate food from the restaurant. Finally, you will have to prove that the restaurant’s negligence caused your damages. You will need extensive evidence to prove your claim. It is critical to ensure your healthcare providers take stool samples to test for certain pathogens. Once they have determined the specific pathogens that made you sick they can test the food and equipment used at the restaurant for the same pathogen. This can link your illness to the restaurant.
If you can prove that the food served at the restaurant made you sick, you can file a personal injury claim to recover monetary compensation for your damages. Contact us today so our firm can help you achieve a just outcome.
