Chicago Food Poisoning Lawyers Answer Foodborne Illness FAQs

Personal Injury Attorneys Help Illinois Victims of E. coli, Salmonella, Norovirus, and More

With more than 250 known types of foodborne illnesses, approximately 1 in 6 people in the United States are sickened by food poisoning each year. This includes individual cases and outbreaks of norovirus, salmonella, E. coli, listeria, Hepatitis A, campylobacter, shigella, botulism, and cryptosporidium.

If a doctor has diagnosed you with any type of food poisoning, Newland & Newland, LLP is ready to fight for you. We will pursue maximum compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering you suffered due to someone else's negligence or a defective product.

Previous settlements and judgments for our clients total more than $1 million for food poisoning victims in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Here are answers to some common food poisoning questions:

Q: What Foods Cause Food Poisoning?

A: Foods themselves rarely cause food poisoning on their own. The infection typically happens due to contamination at some point in the food production or preparation process. That said, certain foods are frequently involved in food poisoning cases. These include:

• Uncooked and undercooked meats, including ground beef and turkey;
• Undercooked or uncooked shellfish;
• Raw vegetables, including leafy greens;
• Fresh fruits, including melons;
• Unpasteurized milk, cheeses, and juices;
• Smoked seafood; and
• Nuts.

Q: How Do I Know if I Have Food Poisoning?

A: Regardless of the type of infection, many foodborne illnesses carry the same symptoms, including:

• Fever;
• Stomach cramps and nausea;
• Vomiting; and
• Diarrhea and dehydration.

Most food poisoning victims think they have the flu. For an official diagnosis, which is critical in a food poisoning lawsuit, see a doctor if you have any combination of these symptoms for longer than three days.

Q: What is the Most Common Type of Food Poisoning?

A: With around 21 million annual cases and 2 million attributed hospital visits, norovirus is the most frequently treated foodborne illness in the United States. Approximately 800 Americans die from norovirus infection each year.

Q: Where Do You Get Food Poisoning?

A: Foodborne illnesses can spread anywhere food is served or sold, including restaurants, grocery stores, and farmer's markets. Wide-scale food poisoning outbreaks often come from large food producers, who are sometimes forced to announce recalls of contaminated products. Outbreaks also often occur where there is a large concentration of people, including cruise ships, hospitals, and nursing homes.

Q: How Can a Food Poisoning Attorney Help Me?

A: An adept personal injury lawyer who focuses on food poisoning cases can help you file a food poisoning lawsuit to hold negligent parties accountable for your illness. It is important to act quickly, from the initial doctor visit and diagnosis to contacting an attorney who can take action. A delay can impact your ability to prove the food you ate both made you sick and was contaminated. These facts can be much easier to prove if your case is connected to a large outbreak. Either way, your lawyer will investigate the facts and determine how to best proceed.

Contact an Illinois Food Poisoning Lawyer

Newland & Newland, LLP is ready to help you receive the financial award you need for a full recovery after your foodborne illness. To set up a free phone consultation with a skilled Chicago injury attorney, contact us at 312-981-0409. We have five convenient Chicago area locations to serve you, including Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Chicago, and Itasca.