Texas Food Poisoning Lawyer
Millions of people are struck with food poisoning every year. A severe foodborne illness can cause extreme suffering, generate expensive medical bills, and result in lost income if it leaves you unable to work. Sadly, extreme cases of food poisoning can even end in death. Our skilled Texas food poisoning attorneys at Shamieh Law have the experience and knowledge to fight for justice, accountability, and compensation on your behalf.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, food poisoning cases arise 48 million times a year in the United States. An encounter with contaminated food often results in vomiting or diarrhea lasting a few hours or days.
Unfortunately, foodborne illness can also result in far more severe outcomes. The Food and Drug Administration reports that food poisoning causes an average of 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths in the United States every year. Pregnant women, infants, children, older people, and immuno-compromised people are more likely to experience severe illness or die when exposed to contaminated food.
A serious case of food poisoning can also lead to expensive medical bills and lost income if it impacts your ability to work. Contact our Texas food poisoning lawyers at Shamieh Law to discuss your legal rights and options if you develop a foodborne illness due to someone else’s carelessness.
What Causes Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning is caused by ingesting food contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Pathogens can be introduced into food in various ways, including:
- Poor sanitation – Processing food in unclean environments or with tools that have not been properly sanitized raises the risk of introducing harmful contaminants.
- Spoilage – Food can spoil if it is not stored under the right conditions, such as at the right temperature. Food kept beyond its expiration date is also unfit for consumption.
- Preparation – Food must be properly prepared and cooked to avoid food poisoning. Raw or undercooked meat is a common cause of foodborne illness.
A handful of pathogens cause the majority of foodborne illnesses in the United States. They include:
| Pathogen | Type | Onset Time | Common sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmonella | Bacteria | 6 hours–2 days | Poultry, meat, eggs, dairy, fresh fruits/vegetables |
| E. Coli | Bacteria | 1–8 days | Meat, fresh fruits/vegetables, unpasteurized milk/juice, water |
| Listeria | Bacteria | 9 hours–48 days | Lunch meat, unpasteurized milk, cheese |
| Vibrio | Bacteria | A few hours to 1 week | Fish, shellfish |
| Campylobacter | Bacteria | 2–5 days | Poultry, unpasteurized milk, water |
| Norovirus | Virus | 12 hours–2 days | Shellfish, fresh fruits/vegetables, water, and food handled by someone carrying the virus |
| Botulism | Toxin | 12 hours–3 days | Home-preserved and home-canned foods and beverages, honey |
When Should You Consider Filing a Food Poisoning Lawsuit in Texas?
An experienced food poisoning attorney can help if you have contracted an illness or lost a family member due to a foodborne illness. Consider filing a food poisoning lawsuit if your foodborne illness led to:
- Hospitalization
- Long-term health issues
- Lost wages or lowered earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death
Additionally, contact a Texas food poisoning lawyer if there is a class action lawsuit associated with your case, others develop a foodborne illness from the same food, or the contaminated food that caused your illness has been recalled by producers.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Food Poisoning?
First, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your health is always the top priority. Common early symptoms of food poisoning include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Life-threatening complications can occur if food poisoning is left untreated, including extreme dehydration and dangerously high fevers.
After seeking medical attention, contact a Texas personal injury lawyer with experience handling food poisoning cases. If you have not yet consulted with an attorney, try to take the following steps to protect your right to compensation:
- Retain all medical records and bills related to your foodborne illness.
- Find out if others who ate the same food as you also experienced food poisoning symptoms.
- Report your food poisoning to the local health department and hold on to the documentation.
- Keep the receipt from the purchase of the contaminated food.
- If there is any food or packaging left from the food you think caused your symptoms, store it in a sealed freezer bag.
Contact a Texas Food Poisoning Lawyer
Food poisoning cases are challenging to investigate and prove. A Texas food poisoning attorney can determine if you have a strong case, help you gather evidence to substantiate your claim, and make sure you know your full legal rights and options. At Shamieh Law, we offer free, no-obligation consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Texas Food Poisoning FAQs
Typically, the statute of limitations gives two years from the onset of symptoms of foodborne illness to file a lawsuit in Texas. Though exceptions exist, it is best to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney before relying on them in case they do not apply to your case. Connect with the Texas food poisoning attorneys at Shamieh Law as soon as possible to determine the correct filing deadline for your claim.
The party responsible for preparing, serving, or selling contaminated food can be held responsible for your foodborne illness. Among other things, they might be held liable for unsafe food storage, not upholding food safety protocols, failure to train employees, and health code violations.
The experienced wrongful death lawyers at Shamieh Law can help you seek justice and compensation for the loss of a loved one caused by food poisoning. Though no amount of money can make up for a loss of life, the law does provide avenues toward a measure of justice and accountability.
It can be difficult to trace the cause of foodborne illnesses. However, microbiologists, epidemiologists, or other specialists can work with your food poisoning attorney to properly gather and evaluate the available evidence, including health department reports, medical treatment records, supply chain records, and chemical analyses.
Symptoms will vary in kind and severity depending on the illness, level of contamination, and general health of the impacted individual. However, common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, stomach pain/cramps, fever, and headaches.
Sometimes, joining a class action lawsuit linked to your case of foodborne illness is the best way forward. Our Texas food poisoning lawyers can help determine if joining a class action suit is possible and in your best interest.
