People across the United States dine at their local restaurants every day. According to the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry makes about $863 billion in sales each year. Unfortunately, a 2014 study also found that people are twice as likely to suffer food poisoning from restaurant food then from home-cooked meals.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that 48 million people are sickened by a food-borne illness every year. Of those, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die.
There are many causes of food poisoning, including: poor sanitation, under-cooked food, or food that has been contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites, pesticides or other toxic or infectious agents.
The top illness-causing food-borne germs in the United States are:
- Norovirus
- Salmonella
- Campylobacter
- Staphylococcus aureus (Staph)
- Clostridium perfringens
Food poisoning cases involving the most dangerous food-borne germs are rare. However, people exposed to these germs are more likely to require hospitalization. These include:
- Botulism
- Listeria
- E. coli
- Vibrio
Often, food-borne illness is the result of poor sanitation. For instance, when a food handler, cook or chef does not wash their hands after using the restroom, or has a contagious infection which is transferred to the food they serve.
The spread of food-borne disease can occur at all types of restaurants, including fast food restaurants, hospital cafeterias, cruise ship foods, hotel restaurants, buffets, school cafeterias and any place that serves food.
In most cases, food poisoning will cause a short-lasting sickness which may include diarrhea, nausea, cramping, or vomiting that ends in a matter of hours up to a few days.
In rare cases, food poisoning can have long lasting effects and can even lead to death. Pregnant women, children, older adults, and people with weakened immune symptoms are especially vulnerable to severe illness from food-borne germs.
Victims or survivors of those who have suffered long-term damage from food poisoning should solicit the opinion of one of our attorneys to determine your legal rights.
Food poisoning cases can be difficult to prove and challenging to try, but our lawyers have experience in advocating for the rights of victims – including your right to seek compensation for your damages such as lost wages, medical expenses and medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
Call today and speak with an attorney to discuss your food poisoning case: (888) 845-9696.