Why Should I Hire a Food Poisoning Attorney?

 Posted on September 18, 2023 in Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is a distressing experience that can turn a pleasant meal into a painful ordeal – or even a deadly one. While many cases of food poisoning resolve on their own, there are instances where the consequences can be far more serious, leading to significant medical bills, lost wages, and lasting health effects.

If you or your loved one has been harmed due to someone else’s negligence, it is your right to get damages for it. In such a situation, hiring a food poisoning lawyer can be a crucial step toward protecting your rights and seeking the compensation you deserve. Food poisoning cases often involve complex legal and medical aspects, making professional guidance indispensable.

Let us take a look at why you should consider hiring the services of a skilled food poisoning lawyer.

When Should You Hire a Food Poisoning Attorney in Illinois?

Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring a food poisoning attorney in Illinois:

● Severe Illness: If your food poisoning led to severe symptoms or hospitalization.

● Long-Term Effects: If you have lasting health issues due to food poisoning.

● Missed Work: If you lost income due to illness and medical treatment.

● Linked to Outbreak: If your case is part of a larger outbreak of similar food poisoning incidents.

● Recalls: If the contaminated food was recalled.

● Disputed Liability: If the responsible party denies fault.

● Insurance Issues: If insurance offers inadequate compensation.

● Wrongful Death: In cases of a loved one's death due to food poisoning.

● Evidence Preservation: To build a strong case with evidence.

● Legal Expertise: For navigating complex legal procedures.

Remember, each situation may vary, so consulting a food poisoning lawyer can clarify your options.

How a Food Poisoning Attorney Can Collect Evidence For Your Case

Collecting evidence for a food poisoning case requires a well-thought-out and step-by-step approach that establishes a clear link between the contaminated food and your illness. Here's how a lawyer might go about collecting evidence for such a case:

Medical Records

Your food poisoning lawyer will request copies of your medical records, including doctor's notes, lab test results, and hospitalization records. These documents will help establish the timeline of your illness, the severity of your symptoms, and the treatments you received.

Preservation of Evidence

If you have any leftover food that you suspect caused your illness, your attorney might advise you to preserve it properly (such as freezing it) so it can be tested for contaminants later. If you sought medical treatment, your lawyer might also advise you to preserve any relevant medical samples, such as stool or blood samples.

Receipts and Documents

If you ate at a restaurant or purchased food from a specific vendor, keeping receipts and any other related documents can help establish where and when you ate the contaminated food. This information can be crucial in identifying the source of the contamination.

Witness Statements

If there are other people who got sick from eating the same food, their statements can be valuable evidence. Your lawyer may interview friends, family members, or coworkers who were present when you consumed the food and experienced similar symptoms.

Surveillance Footage

If you ate at a restaurant, your lawyer may attempt to obtain any available surveillance footage that shows how you interacted with the food and the environment. This can help establish the conditions under which you ate the contaminated food.

Food Inspection Records

Your lawyer can also request relevant food inspection records from the place where you ate or from the food manufacturer. These records can shed light on any past violations or hygiene issues of that eatery or manufacturer that might have resulted in or contributed to the contamination.

Health Department Reports

If an official health department investigation was conducted following an outbreak, your lawyer might be able to obtain copies of their reports, which might contain important information about the source of the contamination.

Expert Witnesses

In complex cases, your lawyer might also consult with experts in the fields of microbiology, food safety, epidemiology, and medicine. These experts can provide professional opinions on how the contamination occurred and how it led to your illness.

Chain of Custody

Maintaining a clear chain of custody for any evidence is important to ensure its integrity and reliability. Your lawyer will document the handling and transfer of evidence as soon as it is collected.

Document Preservation Letters

Your lawyer might send a legal notice to the eatery or food manufacturer (your potential defendants), advising them to preserve any relevant documents, communication records, and other evidence that might be related to the case.

Recall Notices

If the contaminated food has been recalled, your lawyer can obtain copies of recall notices and use them to establish a pattern of contamination.

Communication Records

Your lawyer may request any communication you had with the establishment, vendor, or manufacturer, such as emails, text messages, or social media posts. These communications might contain important information about your interactions with the food.

Collecting evidence in a food poisoning case can be complex and time-sensitive, as evidence might deteriorate or be lost over time. It's essential to work with an experienced food poisoning attorney in Chicago or other cities of Illinois who knows how to gather and preserve evidence effectively to build a strong case on your behalf.

Schedule a Consultation with a Food Poisoning Attorney

If you find yourself in any of the situations mentioned above or suspect that you've fallen victim to food poisoning, it's crucial to seek legal guidance promptly. Consulting a food poisoning attorney can give you the insights you need to make informed decisions about your next steps.

At Newland & Newland LLP, our experienced team of food poisoning attorneys is dedicated to advocating for your rights and helping you secure the compensation you deserve. We have a proven track record of successfully handling cases involving foodborne illnesses in various locations, including Chicago, Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Itasca, Crystal Lake, and Joliet.

Don't wait to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our skilled food poisoning attorneys.