Chicago Injury Lawyers Explain What to Do if You Get Food Poisoning

What You Should Do If You Get Food Poisoning in Illinois

Food poisoning affects an estimated 1 in 6 Americans each year. While a foodborne illness can be extremely dangerous to anyone who contracts it, younger children, pregnant women, senior citizens, and people with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk. Along with a greater likelihood of being sickened, these groups also face the possibility of more severe symptoms.

It is important to know how to handle food poisoning symptoms and the actions you should take when infected. This includes possible infection from E. coli, salmonella, norovirus, listeria, campylobacter, Hepatitis A, shigella, botulism, or cryptosporidiosis.

If you are a victim of food poisoning, Newland & Newland, LLP can help you receive the financial compensation you deserve. Past settlements and verdicts include $200,000 for food poisoning that aggravated a pre-existing condition of multiple sclerosis.

Food Poisoning Illness Symptoms

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 48 million people across the United States suffer food poisoning every year, the majority of these instances go unreported. Because many symptoms mimic those present in extreme influenza cases, most of those stricken believe they simply have the stomach flu. The difference is, severe food poisoning can result in kidney failure, chronic arthritis, brain and nerve damage, or death.

If you experience any combination of the following symptoms, visit your family doctor or your nearest healthcare provider as soon as possible:

• An orally-measured temperature of more than 101.5 degrees;
• Diarrhea that persists for longer than three days;
• Blood present in stools;
• Frequent vomiting, including an inability to keep fluids down; and
• Indications of dehydration, including a dry throat and mouth, a noticeable decrease in urination, and dizziness when standing up.

What Can a Doctor Do About Food Poisoning?

A physician can make a diagnosis based on the duration of your illness, symptoms, and foods you consumed prior to getting sick. They may conduct a stool culture, blood test, or parasite examination. If they determine you are infected by a foodborne illness, they may contact your local health department to see if your sickness is linked to an identified outbreak. It is possible you are the first reported case, which can help protect others who might contract it from the same source.

Food poisoning treatments include:

Replacing lost fluids: Because of likely dehydration, the fluids and electrolytes lost to frequent diarrhea must be replaced. For severe cases, this may require hospitalization so fluids can be received through an IV.

Antibiotics prescription: Some types of food poisoning subside with the use of antibiotic medication. Listeria, for example, must be treated with IV antibiotics. The earlier an individual begins treatment, the better, especially pregnant women, who are at risk of passing an infection to their fetus.

Contact an Illinois Food Poisoning Lawyer

After you see a doctor to address your foodborne illness, contact an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney from Newland & Newland, LLP. If you contracted your illness from a restaurant, grocery, cruise ship, nursing home, or another food service operation, we will pursue maximum compensation for your medical bills, time off of work and pain and suffering. You should not bear the cost caused by someone else's negligence. For a free phone consultation, call us at 312-981-0409 today. We have five convenient locations throughout the Chicago area to serve you including Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Chicago, and Itasca.