Illinois Food Allergy Reactions and Liability Attorneys

Personal Injury Lawyers for Food Allergy Injury Victims 

Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) says around 32 million Americans have food allergies, including 8 percent of children under 18 and 11 percent of adults. These numbers have risen dramatically in the last decade, as awareness and diagnoses have also increased. There are more than 170 foods known to cause food allergy reactions, with eight primary food allergens – peanuts, eggs, milk, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Experts believe sesame is also an emerging concern.

Because of the potential severity of a food allergy reaction, individuals with food allergies must adhere to strict dietary guidelines. Food service entities that fail in their responsibility to ensure the safety of persons with food allergies can be found liable for the resulting illness and complications. The experienced food poisoning attorneys at Newland & Newland, LLP fight for the rights of those sickened due to a preventable food allergy reaction. We seek maximum compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Food Allergies in the U.S.

An allergic reaction to food is a person's immune response that occurs upon exposure to a certain food item, as the immune system attacks food proteins that are considered harmless to most people. Reactions vary, from tingling around the mouth to hives on the skin and death. These reactions can occur through contact with even a trace amount of the food in question. One serious reaction is food-induced anaphylaxis, which causes the body to go into shock and requires an injection of epinephrine (EpiPen) for symptoms to subside.

Children are impacted both medically and socially. Those with food allergies are twice as likely to be bullied in school. Around 25 percent do not sleep over at friends' houses, 15 percent do not go to restaurants, and 10 percent are home-schooled. The impact also stretches to their parents, as mothers often experience heightened stress and high blood pressure.

Food Allergy Rights

The U.S. lists food allergies as an impairment of a major life activity, which often qualifies affected persons for protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. While businesses are not required to cater to the needs of those afflicted with food allergies, any reasonable request to omit a problematic ingredient cannot be denied. If a customer states their food allergy, and they are still served the item and unknowingly consume it, the entity may be found negligent for the resulting illness.

Defendants in food allergy lawsuits often include:

• Restaurant staff and ownership;
• Hospital or nursing home staff and ownership;
• Cruise ship and airline staff and ownership; and
• Food producers who fail to properly label their products.

Contact a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we are prepared to pursue the financial award you deserve as someone who suffered a traumatic illness after an allergic food reaction. We understand the dire nature of these reactions, and hold negligent food vendors accountable for their actions in an effort to increase public safety. To learn how an Illinois food poisoning attorney can help you today, contact us at 312-981-0409 to set up a free phone consultation. We have five convenient Chicago area locations to serve you, including Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Chicago, and Itasca.