Posted on February 24, 2016 in Food poisoning attorney

Many Americans are under the impression that they are less likely to suffer from food poisoning when eating at well-known chain establishments than they are at smaller, independent food retailers because of the additional safety and quality measures with which corporate restaurants are required to comply. However, corporate oversight does not necessarily mean that the food from a particular retailer is safe from carrying dangerous bacteria. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, numerous fast food restaurants have been linked to food poisoning outbreaks.

Below are 11 examples of well-known food poisoning outbreaks that have occurred in the past decades.

• In 1982, 47 people who ate at Oregon and Michigan McDonald's stores fell ill with a rare form of E.coli poisoning;
• E.coli was also named as the cause of death for four children and the cause of illness for 732 people who ate the undercooked Monster Burger offered by Jack in the Box in 1993;

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 Posted on February 20, 2016 in Food poisoning attorney

Recently, our firm was featured in the Chicago Tribune because of a claim we filed on behalf of a client who allegedly became ill with Salmonella poisoning after eating at a funeral luncheon catered by Family Affair Catering.

Food poisoning can become serious, especially in individuals with weak immune systems. When food poisoning happens because of a responsible party's failure to take the correct precautions to ensure that it is providing consumers with a contaminant-free product, the food poisoning victim may seek compensation for his or her losses through a personal injury claim.

Personal Injury Claims Need Evidence

You cannot simply file a food poisoning claim and hope to recover compensation if you feel a bit queasy after eating at a local restaurant. Food poisoning claims, like all other types of personal injury claim, require that the following be proven:

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 Posted on February 17, 2016 in Food poisoning attorney

We all know that certain types of foods are more likely to carry dangerous bacteria than others. This is why we take certain food preparation and storage rules so seriously, such as cooking chicken until it is well done and washing leafy vegetables like spinach and kale thoroughly before using them. A recent piece published on you.co.az contained an interview with food safety advocate Bill Marler, who listed the foods he refuses to eat because of the risk of food poisoning they pose. His list of foods to avoid included the following:

Raw Meat

A rare, juicy steak can be delicious, but it can also be dangerous. Marler said that he does not eat steak that has not been cooked to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit because below this temperature, steak can contain dangerous bacteria like E.coli.

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 Posted on February 06, 2016 in Food Poisoning

When you are on a diet or looking to bulk up, you might choose to replace or supplement your meals with nutrition shakes. You probably never think that you are exposed to hazards by consuming these shakes but the truth is, you can be. Recently, a man in Otero County and ten others reported falling ill from Garden of Life Raw Meal Organic Shake and Meal products. These cases were caused by Salmonella virchow, a strain of salmonella that can cause individuals to become ill.

Salmonella virchow and other types of bacteria can cause food poisoning, which can lead to significant damages for an affected individual. If you have suffered from food poisoning because of another party's failure to properly clean, store, transport, or prepare food, you could be entitled to monetary compensation for these damages. Work with an experienced food poisoning attorney to get started on your case.

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 Posted on January 31, 2016 in Food Poisoning

As we move into 2016, it is important that we do not forget the food poisoning outbreaks that caused so many of us to become ill last year. When we forget about previous health scares, we tend to become lax with food safety and put ourselves in a position to become ill again. Be vigilant this year by understanding how dangerous bacteria spreads, how it grows, and how you can reduce your risk of falling ill from food poisoning.

Take note of one of the recurring themes in the list below: salmonella. Salmonella poisoning can be especially pervasive because it can be found in a large variety of food products. Protect yourself and your family from salmonella poisoning by practicing safe food handling techniques.

Sushi Tuna Salmonella Outbreak

The fourth-largest food poisoning outbreak of 2015 was a salmonella outbreak found in frozen raw yellowfin tuna for sushi and sashimi dishes. The affected tuna came from a processing plant in Indonesia owned by the Osamu Corporation. 65 cases of illness were reported, 11 of which required victims to be hospitalized. These reports came from 11 states. The company recalled its tuna in response to the reports of food poisoning.

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 Posted on January 25, 2016 in Food Poisoning

Usually, food poisoning resolves itself within a few days or a week. After eating a contaminated food product, you might experience some unpleasant symptoms and have to miss a day or two of work but generally, these effects are fairly short-lived. However, not everyone is so lucky.
Pregnant women, the elderly, individuals with weakened immune systems, and young children can face far more severe health complications caused by food poisoning. If you are a member of one of these groups or a parent of a young child, be mindful of the ways that food poisoning can become a life-altering illness for you or your child.

Your Kidneys Could Fail

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a condition that occurs when the red blood cells are damaged prematurely and they kidneys become overburdened by the process of discarding them. This is perhaps the most serious health complication that can occur as a result of food poisoning. Hemolytic uremic syndrome is linked to E.coli, which can be transmitted to humans through contaminated meat or contact with the feces of an infected human or animal.

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 Posted on January 17, 2016 in Food Poisoning

A recent report by Michigan State University discusses exactly how damaging food poisoning can be. In many cases, food poisoning can cause a victim to suffer significant health problems or even die if it is left untreated. This is why it is so important that you seek medical care for your illness as soon as you begin to feel the symptoms of food poisoning. Although food poisoning can often resolve itself within a few days, it can sometimes become a serious illness. This is especially true for individuals with weakened immune systems such as the elderly, infants and young children, and pregnant women.

It can be difficult to trace food poisoning to a specific source. To make it easier to determine when and how you became ill, try to remember what you ate within the 24-48 hour period before your symptoms began to appear. If you ate with others, ask them if they are experiencing any similar symptoms to narrow down the cause of your illness. If your food poisoning was caused by another party's failure to safely store, prepare, or clean food, you can potentially recover compensation for your losses through a personal injury claim.

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 Posted on January 09, 2016 in Food Poisoning

Food poisoning outbreaks happen every year throughout the United States and around the world. 2015 was no different. Below are five of the most significant food poisoning outbreaks that affected the United States last year.

Keep yourself and your family safe by staying up to date with food recalls as they are announced. By avoiding foods that could potentially be contaminated with dangerous bacteria, you can prevent serious illness that can lead to lost wages, high medical bills, and physical and emotional discomfort. If you do suffer from food poisoning because of another party's negligence, consider seeking compensation for your losses through a food poisoning claim.

5. Blue Bell Listeria Outbreak

In spring 2010, 10 people in four states became ill from eating Blue Bell ice cream and were hospitalized. Three people died. A recall was issued after the ice cream was found to be tainted with listeria.

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 Posted on January 03, 2016 in Food Poisoning

Recently, an outbreak of E.coli found in Chipotle locations in nine states was linked to more than 50 illness cases. The outbreak reached Boston College, where at least eight members of the men's basketball team became ill after eating at a local Chipotle outlet. Their illnesses made them unable to play, forcing the team to cancel practice and a game against Providence College.

Food poisoning, like E.coli, can become serious to the point that it creates health complications for those who come into contact with it. In many cases, especially where the victim is a young, healthy individual, food poisoning resolves itself within a few days. But this is not always the case. Sometimes, E.coli infection becomes hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that can lead to kidney shut down and following that, permanent kidney damage or death. If you notice yourself suffering from E.coli symptoms like a low fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, seek medical attention as soon as you can.

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 Posted on December 28, 2015 in Food Poisoning

The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets recently published a food safety alert regarding raw milk from Jerry Dell Farm, Inc. in Freeville, New York. Samples of the milk found that it was contaminated with Salmonella, a type of bacteria that can cause a variety of illness symptoms like nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Beyond these symptoms, salmonella infection can also lead to arthritis, endocarditis, and arterial infections. Salmonella poisoning can be especially dangerous for individuals with weak or compromised immune systems, such as children and the elderly.

Although no illnesses have been reported in relation to this milk scare, it is important that you are vigilant about the dairy products you and your family consume. Keep yourself educated about recalls through websites like recalls.gov and always store and prepare food properly to minimize your risk of infection. If you do suffer from food poisoning, though, know that you have the option to seek monetary compensation for your losses through a food poisoning claim.

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