Can You Sue for Salmonella Poisoning?

Salmonella poisoning can occur at home or at a restaurant after eating contaminated food. Usually it only causes a day or two of illness and discomfort, but in some cases, it can become much more serious and lead to hospitalization and even death. If you or a loved one suffered significant injury or wrongful death from food poisoning, you may be able to file a lawsuit.

Food poisoning lawsuits can be complex and hard to prove, so we recommend contacting Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers at 905-522-9799 for a complimentary case evaluation.

What Are the Symptoms of Salmonella Poisoning?

Salmonella poisoning symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stool
• Vomit
• Stomach cramps

For most people, these symptoms resolve on their own after a couple days, sometimes up to a week. For others, it can become much more serious and lead to hospitalization. Young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are the most likely to suffer severe complications from salmonella poisoning.

If your symptoms last for longer than a week, or if you develop other symptoms on top of your initial ones, you should probably visit the ER or an urgent care. High fever, dehydration, or bloody stool that lasts for longer than a few days can be a sign of something serious.

How Can You Get Salmonella Poisoning?

Salmonella poisoning occurs after eating food contaminated with salmonella bacteria. It most commonly occurs from eating undercooked meat, but you can also get it from eating contaminated produce.

The key to a salmonella lawsuit is being able to prove that it wasn’t your own carelessness in the kitchen that led to salmonella poisoning. When cooking, you should always be careful to keep your raw meat separate from your produce, clean all kitchenware that was in contact with raw meat thoroughly, and wipe down counters after handling raw meat. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat or using the bathroom, as well.

When Should You Pursue a Salmonella Poisoning Lawsuit?

Generally, you may have a salmonella case worth pursuing if:

• You were hospitalized because of food poisoning
• Your loved one has died because of food poisoning
• Other people in your area have also fallen sick after eating the same food you did
• You are able to prove it was a specific food that led to your hospitalization

Most food poisoning lawsuits involve multiple people who all became sick around the same time after either eating the same food bought from the grocery store or dining at the same restaurant. This is because it is much easier to prove where your illness originated if other people have suffered in the same way.

If you only experienced some mild symptoms that cleared up after a few days, it may not be worth the time, effort, and money involved to pursue a lawsuit. An exception may be if there is a large class action suit against a particular company or restaurant that you can join.

Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation

If you were hospitalized after eating contaminated food, call Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers at 905-522-9799 today to schedule your complimentary consultation. We serve clients in Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford, and other nearby areas of Ontario.