Food Poisoning, E coli, & Salmonella Claims

Food Poisoning Attorneys in Chicago, Illinois

E coli, Salmonella Food Poisoning Claims, Lawsuits and Lawyers

A major restaurant chain suffered an outbreak of food poisoning in 2015. Sixty people across the United States, including one in Illinois, suffered food poisoning after eating at this chain. Fortunately, there were no deaths, but numerous people were hospitalized because of the food poisoning. Individuals who contract food poisoning often get violently ill. The symptoms usually pass within a day but not always. Those stricken with food poisoning can suffer severe injuries requiring hospitalization while others die from the food they ate. If you or a loved one suffered food poisoning in the Chicago area, our attorneys can help. The injury lawyers at Stein & Shulman are dedicated Chicago-based injury attorneys with the experience and determination to win compensation for your injuries.

Food Poisoning Statistics

Food poisoning is a widespread and dangerous problem in the United States. These illnesses are described by names such as “foodborne disease” and “foodborne infection,” but they all mean the same thing. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 out of 6, or 48 million Americans suffer food poisoning annually.  The overwhelming majority quickly recover. However, 128,000 people require hospitalization and 3,000 people die each year from foodborne diseases.

How Does Food Poisoning Happen?

Food poisoning primarily comes from eating food or drinking a beverage contaminated with diseased microbes. Most frequently, the first symptoms of food poisoning are stomach problems such as vomiting and diarrhea because the body absorbs the contaminants into the digestive tract. Vomiting and diarrhea are a very uncomfortable experience to be sure. Prolonged stomach problems can be very problematic because a person can easily become dehydrated.

The CDC estimates that 250 types of food poisoning exist. Some bacteria strains known to cause food poisoning are:

  • coli;
  • Salmonella;
  • Botulism;
  • Listeria;
  • norovirus;
  • Campylobacter;
  • Cyclospora;
  • Shigella;
  • Vibrio; and
  • Clostridium perfringens.

The CDC has determined the primary cause of food poisoning is tied to food preparation. The bacteria that cause food poisoning can be found in raw meat, including shellfish, eggs, and milk, as well as fruits and vegetables when washed with contaminated water. Additionally, humans can contaminate food by touching food with unwashed hands or cross-contaminating utensils like knives and cutting boards. Furthermore, cooked food can become infected if it comes into contact with raw food.

Food Poisoning Claims, Lawsuits and Compensation in Chicago, Illinois

Our food poisoning attorneys at Stein & Shulman have the experience to know what to look for when investigating cases involving food poisoning. Here are some things we look for:

  • The local board of health will have records containing health code violations including orders to remediate, reinspection, fines, and orders of closure.
  • Additionally, our lawyers will concentrate on learning about the source of the food that made you
  • Our lawyers will need to investigate the origin of the bacteria. They need to know whether the bacteria are the responsibility of the food producers or the restaurant’s failure that caused the infection.
  • They also want to know the methods the staff used when handling the food, how it was prepared and stored as well. The CDC has found that potential bacterial outbreaks are preventable if the end-user, such as a restaurant, correctly refrigerates and then sufficiently heats the food.
  • Additionally, our attorneys will want to know what training their staff received, whether the restaurant uses written policies for food handling, and whether they know about further outbreaks their customers suffered and whether they implemented plans to prevent food poisoning in the future.

Our Food Poisoning Lawyers Are Ready To Help

The Chicago personal injury law firm of Stein & Shulman, LLC is a group of dedicated, successful and committed attorneys who devote their practice to winning compensation for their clients who were injured from food poisoning in the Chicago area.  Learn how you can protect your rights by making an appointment today by calling 312.422.0500 or complete our on-line contact form to schedule a free consultation. There is no fee unless we are successful on your behalf.

Stein & Shulman, LLC
134 N LaSalle St #820
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312.422.0500
Fax: (312) 422-0505
Hours: Open today · Open 24 hours
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Sources and Additional Reading:

https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/foodborne-germs.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-chipotle-outbreak-over-0202-biz-20160201-story.html

Russell v. SNFA, 987 NE 2d 778 – Ill: Supreme Court 2013