Did you know that if you have experienced a foodborne illness, you can contact a food poisoning lawyer College Park MD residents count on for legal advice? If you’re suffering an illness because of food pathogens such as e.coli, salmonella, botulism, shigella, etc., you may be able to file a legal claim against the negligent party.
Cohen and Cohen, P.C., a food poisoning lawyer in College Park MD, is equipped with a dedicated team of skillful attorneys who understand the laws specific to foodborne illnesses. Call us now for a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Food Poisoning Outbreaks
In 2011, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 1 in 6 Americans become sick, a further 128,000 people are hospitalized, and 3,000 individuals die from food poisoning every year. A number of these illnesses are directly related to manufacturers and vendors of contaminated products.
Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are generally most at risk for experiencing a severe foodborne illness. Healthy individuals can also become ill, especially when the pathogen is highly dangerous. Over 250 different pathogens have so far been identified; most are bacteria, viruses or parasites. While a number of government regulated safety measures have been established and are strictly regulated, food poisoning outbreaks regularly occur in the United States.
Understanding Food Poisoning Claims
Knowing the source of the contaminant may be beneficial, but it is not always necessary. A food poisoning lawyer in College Park MD may simply need to verify:
- The food was unsafe for human consumption (because of a pathogen)
- You were made ill from eating the food
Generally, a food poisoning claim may seek damages from the producer of the food, the grocer or supermarket, the wholesaler, distributor, importer, or seller.
What to Do If You Have Food Poisoning
Although you may want to contact a food poisoning lawyer College Park MD residents respect as soon as you realize the extent of your illness, medical attention should be your priority. Once you are being treated, you or a close family member can reach out to a College Park MD food poisoning lawyer for further advice on what to do next. Meanwhile, try to avoid throwing away food consumed in the last 48 hours, and make a list of everything you ate. If you think you have the suspected contaminated food item, keep it, in its packaging if possible. While it is not necessarily important to know how you became ill, some of the likely reasons for food poisoning could include:
- Insufficient cooking to kill harmful pathogens
- Improper storage of food
- Cross contamination of the pathogen from food to food or person to food
- Inadequate hygiene standards
When you talk to a food poisoning lawyer College Park MD relies on, he or she may ask you for names and contact details of potential witnesses. The attorney may also review test or lab results to prove the illness, extent of the damages, and applicable recovery time.
Group Food Poisoning
Oftentimes, a serious bout of food poisoning will include multiple people or groups. Also known as an outbreak, these are typically easier for a food poisoning lawyer College Park MD respects to prove negligence or wrongdoing. Your attorney understands how to investigate a potential outbreak and may proceed accordingly.
Contacting a College Park MD Food Poisoning Lawyer
If you suspect that your food poisoning and the pain and suffering it caused was the result of the negligence of others, you may have a claim. Cohen and Cohen, P.C.is interested in hearing what you have to say. All you need to do to get started is schedule a free consultation with a top food poisoning lawyer College Park MD has to offer by calling (202) 999-3284 today.
