Food poisoning injuries and injuries sustained from foreign objects in food are a serious matter. Chances are, you or someone you know has experienced some level of food poisoning during your life. But even though you may have recovered from it, the truth is you may still be entitled to compensation for your ordeal. After all, food poisoning can result in time missed from work, emotional and physical duress, hospitalization and, in some cases, death. If you or a loved one have had your life affected by food poisoning or a foreign object in your food, you may have a legitimate legal case. Here’s what you need to know:

Is it Food Poisoning or Another Illness?

Food poisoning is a direct result of consuming a food or beverage that is tainted with certain kinds of bacteria, parasites, viruses or other things that are toxic to human health. It is first important that you determine whether or not you (or your loved one) indeed were a victim of food poisoning. While there are different kinds of food poisoning, the sickness in general is not exactly rare. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that around 48 million people are afflicted with food poisoning each year. Some of the main types of this form of sickness are E. Coli, Botulism, Listeria, Norovirus, Campylobacter, Salmonella and Hepatitis A, though there are many others. While the vast majority of cases are relatively mild, others can include quite severe symptoms like fever, muscle weakness, prolonged nausea and / or vomiting, dehydration and more. These cases are more likely to result in hospitalization and may even be life threatening. A medical professional can properly diagnose food poisoning, although sometimes people recover on their own without an official diagnosis or medical treatment.

Injury from Foreign Objects in Food?

Similar to food poisoning, foreign objects in food can lead to serious personal injuries as well. These injuries are usually the result of careless preparation by food handlers and restaurant staff. If you have sustained an injury such as a chipped tooth, injury to your esophagus, or injury to internal organs because of a foreign object in your food then you may be entitled to significant compensation.

How Can I Help Establish My Legal Case?

Consulting with an experienced attorney is certainly the best course of action when it comes to building a legal case, but there are various other steps you can (and should!) take on your own to help matters move along.

For example, it is important that you document everything in detail, including the moment the food poisoning symptoms started and where you ate or drank prior to that (including any receipts you may have from those locations), the type(s) and severity of symptoms, any medical records and subsequent treatment, medical costs and any time missed from work, etc. Now, if you or a loved one are currently experiencing food poisoning symptoms and have not yet sought out medical attention, it is imperative that you do so. Not only can this make all the difference in your recovery outcome, but getting a proper food poisoning diagnosis is also a huge stepping stone in helping you build a legal case (sometimes not getting one can result in your case quickly being thrown out, regardless of all the other factors at play). It is also worth noting here that the sooner you seek legal help in these situations, the better.

How Much Compensation Can I Get?

This is a common question that many people have, especially those who have experienced the death of a loved one or other negative long-term effects from food poisoning. Compensation may range from a few hundred dollars to thousands or even millions. However, it is important to realize that each and every case is different, and the outcome of yours will depend on several key factors. Perhaps the two biggest ones are first, whether or not you received a diagnosis of food poisoning and second, whether or not you can prove where the contaminated food or drink came from in the first place. Don’t worry if you aren’t entirely sure about these things at this point in time. Your attorney is here to help you every step of the way, and they will assist you with finding the information you need. But the sooner you get started, the more promising your outcome is likely to be. Please be advised food cases can have a very short statute of limitations and it is in your best interest to contact an experienced attorney immediately after you sustain a food injury.