food-poisoning

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, food poisoning affects 48 million people, causes 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths each year in the United States. This type of illness occurs when someone consumes food that is tainted by bacteria, parasites, or viruses. The top five contaminants related to this type of sickness are (i):

e-coli

  • Norovirus
  • Salmonella
  • Clostridium
  • Campylobacter
  • Staphylococcus

The duration and severity of a given a case of poisoning differs from person to person. The majority of these cases are not serious and can be treated by drinking water and passing the infection through your system.

Common signs of poisoning include nausea, cramps, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Food may become contaminated if it is improperly handled at a processing plant or improperly stored at a restaurant. According to the Chicago Tribune, some poisoning cases can cause severe reactions like meningitis, Gullian-Barre syndrome, kidney failure, or death (ii). People who have suffered any of these severe injuries should talk to a personal injury lawyer who can file a food poisoning lawsuit.

On July 1, 2013, the Rhode Island Department of Health issued a press release warning consumers not to eat “Bel Frantoio Mediterranean Olives: Calcidica Sweet” from Ocean State Job Lot. The store issued a voluntary recall on this product after it discovered that the product was not handled properly. This recall affects Ocean State Job Lot stores throughout the Northeast including Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The label on the olive container states “Keep Refrigerated” but Ocean State Job Lot displayed and sold the product at room temperature exposing the olives to contamination from Closridium botulinum (botulism). The Department of Health warned that exposure to this bacteria “can lead to serious illness and death.” Anyone who has eaten these olives and suffered food poisoning symptoms should talk to a doctor immediately (iii).

d’Oliveira & Associates has been providing legal advice to RI and MA residents for over 25 years. The lawyers at the firm exclusively handle injury and disability cases. They also work with experienced attorneys across the nation who can file a food poisoning lawsuit and there are no legal fees until a settlement or award is obtained. Contact the firm toll-free at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out an online contact form for a free legal consultation.

Sources:

  • (i) Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
    http://www.cdc.gov/foodborneburden/
  • (ii) Chicago Tribune, November 20, 2005.
    http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-11-20/features/0511200399_1_food-poisoning-guillain-barre-cookie-dough
  • (iii) Rhode Island Department of Health, July 1, 2013.
    http://www.ri.gov/press/view/19715
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Paul d’Oliveira

Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.

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