Chicago Restaurants Food Allergy Lawsuits Attorneys

Lawyers for Illinois Clients with Allergic Reactions to Mislabeled Food 

A study conducted by Food Allergy Research & Education indicates 11 percent of adults in the United States  – more than 26 million people – have a food allergy. Around half of them suffer from multiple food allergies and have experienced a severe reaction. Approximately 8 percent of U.S. children – 5.6 million altogether – have a food allergy, including 40 percent with multiple allergies.

For nearly 32 million Americans, going out to eat at a restaurant can be a risky endeavor if an eatery does not take the precautions necessary to protect their customers with food allergies. At Newland & Newland, LLP, our skilled food poisoning attorneys fight for the rights of food allergy sufferers who experience a severe reaction due to unsafe practices.

We have represented clients in various food poisoning cases, collecting more than $1 million in compensation.

Restaurants and Food Allergies

Because food allergies are classified as a disability, individuals stricken by them are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Each state has its own guidelines for how to address food allergy safety in public dining establishments. In Illinois, restaurants must have at least one manager on duty at all times trained in nationally recognized food allergen safety standards and awareness. This also includes food service operations at hospitals, nursing homes, licensed daycares, and schools.

While many restaurants have implemented preventative measures to limit the likelihood of a serious food allergy reaction, incidents still occur. Some are attributable to restaurant staff that ignores a patron's disclosure of their food allergy prior to selecting a menu item. Other instances are caused by cross-contact from utensils used in the preparation of food with and without common food allergens as ingredients. Contamination can also take place when a dish ordered by someone with a food allergy is cooked or prepared next to a meal that contains an allergen. Also, diners are often unknowingly served the wrong meal, which can cause a severe reaction.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you or a loved one suffered a food allergy reaction due to the negligence of restaurant staff, contact a skilled injury attorney as soon as possible. Newland & Newland, LLP can conduct a full investigation to assess a restaurant's liability for your illness and pursue the financial award you deserve for any subsequent treatment, hospitalization, and pain and suffering. We hold restaurant operators accountable for mistakes that endanger the public, to achieve justice for our clients and ensure future patrons do not suffer as well.

Contact a Chicago Food Poisoning Injury Lawyer

Newland & Newland, LLP is prepared to serve as your legal advocate after a food allergy reaction that could have been prevented by reasonable and safe business practices at a dining establishment. To schedule a free phone consultation with an adept and aggressive Illinois personal injury attorney, contact us at 312-981-0409 for a free phone consultation. We have five convenient Chicago area locations to serve you, including Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Chicago, and Itasca.