Can You Get Food Poisoning Compensation from a Food Truck?

 Posted on August 12,2024 in Food Poisoning

When you hear about cases of food poisoning, they often involve restaurants, grocery stores, and other permanent facilities where people can buy unprepared or ready-to-eat food. While it is true that individual cases or outbreaks often come from this type of setting, you can also suffer from foodborne illnesses due to eating food provided by mobile vendors. These illnesses may require medical treatment, cause you to miss work, and even cause death.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we have specific experience handling food poisoning cases that other firms lack. One of our well-qualified attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.

What Are Mobile Food Vendors?

Food trucks, carts, trailers, and kiosks are examples of mobile food vending operations. These businesses sell ready-to-eat foods that may be prepared in a licensed food establishment or on-site. These vendors need various permits and licenses and must meet certain requirements to comply with state and local laws, which may vary by location and type of vendor. Chicago alone has around 300 mobile food trucks and vendors, with many more throughout Illinois.

What Causes Many Foodborne Illnesses from Food Trucks?

As with any eating establishment, mobile prepared food vendors or mobile food preparers have to follow food safety rules. Various factors may make it more difficult for these businesses to comply, such as:

• Outdoor temperatures

• The availability of clean water for washing hands

• Inadequate refrigeration

• The likelihood of bugs or flying insects coming into contact with foods or surfaces

These and other issues, such as undercooked meats, unclean surfaces, or a food handler’s lack of proper hygiene, may lead to contaminated food that can make you ill. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common symptoms you might experience include stomach cramps or pain, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and fever.

Unfortunately, these symptoms can mimic other kinds of illnesses, and victims may not realize they are suffering from a foodborne illness. In addition, some types of food poisoning do not produce symptoms immediately, leading to more confusion as to the source of the illness.

What Kinds of Contaminants Are Found in Food Trucks?

Your food may contain various bacteria, toxins, parasites, or viruses, and the mobile food vendor is not always directly responsible. They may unknowingly serve contaminated food produced and sold by their suppliers. E. coli, salmonella, and norovirus are among the types of infections you may experience after eating foods sold by mobile vendors.

These illnesses are more dangerous to certain groups, including pregnant women, children, older adults, and those with specific existing health conditions.

Do You Qualify for Compensation?

To obtain compensation for the effects of a foodborne illness, you must prove that the food in question made you sick and that the food was contaminated. Unless your illness is part of an outbreak, it may be challenging to find the evidence needed to support your claim.

Your personal injury lawyer from Newland & Newland, LLP will investigate the circumstances surrounding your illness to determine who is responsible, and we will work to hold them accountable for your damages.

Contact Our Arlington Heights, IL Food Poisoning Lawyers Today

With food poisoning cases, it is important to contact an experienced Chicago, IL food poisoning attorney as soon as possible so we can find the necessary evidence to hold the responsible party liable. Call Newland & Newland, LLP at 312-981-0409 for your free consultation.