Types Of Foodborne Illness
While there are many different pathogens that can be linked to food poisoning, the following are some of the most common that are linked to serious illness:
- Salmonella — Salmonella can cause serious infections in certain individuals including young children, individuals with weak immune systems, and elderly adults.
- E. coli — While some strains of E. coli are not harmful, others can result in hundreds of thousands of illnesses each year and even death. Certain types of E. coli can lead to kidney failure or conditions such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
- Listeria — Illness from listeria is rare, however, if listeria makes it into a person’s bloodstream, it can be fatal. The individuals most at risk for listeria include newborns, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with immunodeficiencies.
- Clostridium botulinum — This pathogen can result in botulism, a very rare but potentially severe food-related illness. Victims of botulism may experience paralysis and respiratory failure and may require intensive care for long-lasting serious symptoms.
Some foods associated with salmonella and E. coli include raw eggs, poultry, or meat, unpasteurized milk, cheese, or juice, raw produce, nuts, and spices. Listeria often stems from soft cheeses, sprouts, deli meats, and even ice cream. Botulism results from improperly canned foods, which are generally canned in a home environment.
Who Can Be Held Responsible For Food Poisoning?
- Restaurant owners;
- Food retail store owners;
- Food suppliers;
- Food manufacturers;
- Others in the food distribution chain.
The two main legal claims in food poisoning cases are for negligence and products liability. Negligence generally applies to improper conditions or food safety issues in restaurants or food retail stores. Products liability claims are based on the assertion that the food sold was dangerous and defective.
Determining who was responsible for your food poisoning and proving your claims can be a complex task, however, so you should always seek assistance from an experienced attorney.
Find Out How A Food Poisoning Attorney Can Help You
If you or your child has suffered a serious foodborne illness and you have incurred substantial losses, you should not delay in contacting the experienced food poisoning attorneys at the Johnston Law Firm in Portland today. We have helped many injured or ill individuals pursue a wide variety of personal injury claims and obtain the full recovery they deserved. To learn more, please call us for a free consultation at (503) 546-3167 today.
Don’t miss out on these common personal injury mistakes.
Get the legal counsel you need to guide you through the process of filing an injury claim.
Free Confidential Case Evaluation
Contact us today at
503-546-3167
to get a FREE, confidential case evaluation
We’re conveniently located in downtown Portland, and we offer flexible hours by appointment.