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Washington, DC Food Poisoning Lawyer

Our Food Safety Attorneys in DC Will Protect Your Rights

A product liability lawsuit for food contamination is incredibly complex and requires a lawyer with experience in this area of law. Foodborne illnesses can range from a simple stomachache to permanent damage to your nerves or your brain. We expect the food we eat to be free from contaminants, but that doesn’t always happen. If you became seriously ill after eating contaminated food, you will need the expertise of a Washington, DC food poisoning lawyer at Regan Zambri Long PLLC to help you receive compensation for your illness.

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When Do You Need a Food Poisoning Lawyer for Your Claim?

Hundreds of different kinds of bacteria may contaminate foods; while some are benign, you can contract serious infections like hepatitis A and E. coli from food. In some cases, there are no treatments for these foodborne illnesses. Worse, it is often difficult to identify the source of food poisoning without extensive testing. An item may pass through the hands of many different companies on the supply chain, including those based overseas.

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The food poisoning lawyers at Regan Zambri Long PLLC have a reputation for success with food poisoning claims. We have represented clients who contracted hepatitis A, listeria, salmonella, and other illnesses after ingesting contaminated food. In some of these cases, we tracked the source of the contamination to countries in Europe and Africa and have brought claims under the Geneva Convention.

If you became seriously ill or lost a loved one due to contaminated products, then contact a food poisoning attorney from our law firm for a free consultation. We have the resources and experience necessary to resolve these kinds of product liability lawsuits.

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Can I Sue For a Foodborne Illness?

If you develop a serious illness from food poisoning, then you may have grounds for a product liability lawsuit. However, these types of personal injury cases are complex claims. In most severe food poisoning cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will track an outbreak of a particular illness. This involves testing each affected person to determine whether the strain of the virus or bacteria is similar to others. Then, after studying enough cases, the CDC will issue a conclusion on the source of the contamination. This may be a particular batch of a certain product or food served at a specific restaurant.

Once the CDC concludes its investigation, it may issue a recall or a warning to the public. However, the CDC takes no action on behalf of victims and their families; you must file a civil claim to recover compensation. A food poisoning lawyer can use the information from the CDC’s inquiries to find the party or parties responsible for the contamination. Often, these investigations are extensive, since several companies may be involved in the supply chain of any given item.

Usually, negligence and/or unsanitary conditions during the production, packaging, or preservation process are the cause of food contamination. Once your Washington, DC personal injury lawyer determines where the contaminated food originated and how it reached you, then you may be able to file a lawsuit against multiple parties. Depending on the circumstances, claims may be brought against the manufacturer, distributor, supplier, and/or dealer. Due to the level of complexity involved in food poisoning claims, you should consult with an experienced lawyer about your rights if you were diagnosed with a foodborne illness.

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What Are Common Food Poisoning Symptoms and Illnesses?

A wide variety of viruses, bacteria, and parasites may contaminate food and cause illness. Thus, the type and duration of your food poisoning symptoms can vary greatly. In some cases, signs of food poisoning may take weeks to develop.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 48 million people become ill from food poisoning each year, resulting in 128,000 people being hospitalized and 3,000 people dying. There are over 250 foodborne illnesses identified.

Common foodborne illnesses include, by order of severity:

Norovirus

A very contagious virus, symptoms usually develop between 12 and 48 hours after exposure and include diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. As a result, norovirus may cause severe dehydration.

The virus can spread very and very quickly from person to person and through contaminated foods and surfaces. Most people recover within a couple of days and have no long-term health effects.

Salmonella

A common food poisoning illness, salmonella typically lives in the intestinal tract of animals. Symptoms usually begin anywhere from six hours to six days after the infection. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, fever, and cramps.

The illness can last from four to seven days; sometimes, hospitalization is necessary and death may result.

Campylobacter Infection

People can get Campylobacter infection by eating or eating something that had touched raw or undercooked poultry. These bacteria typically cause diarrhea and abdominal pain. If the infection spreads into the bloodstream, then life-threatening conditions may develop.

Symptoms usually begin within five days after ingesting Campylobacter and last approximately one week.

Staphylococcal Infection

According to the CDC, approximately 25 percent of people and animals have Staph on their skin and in their noses. If someone carrying staph doesn’t wash their hands before touching food, the bacteria will begin to multiply and the food will become contaminated.

Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea usually develop in as little as 30 minutes after exposure. The illness will last no longer than a day.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is caused by one of the world’s most common parasites, the Toxoplasma parasite. Infection occurs when you eat undercooked meat and is considered to be the leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S.

Usually undiagnosed, toxoplasmosis (caused by parasites) can have severe complications for those with weakened immune systems and women who are pregnant. Symptoms include “flu-like” symptoms that could last for weeks or months. According to the CDC, if a woman is infected while pregnant, the mother could miscarry or have a stillborn child.

E. Coli

A common and highly contagious food poisoning illness, Escherichia coli infection varies from person to person. Common symptoms include diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, a low fever, and vomiting. People infected with E. coli will begin feeling symptoms within four days after eating or drinking contaminated food.

Sometimes, an infection may cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which affects the kidneys and can be fatal.

Botulism

Botulism is a potentially fatal illness produces a toxin that attacks your body’s nerves. It can be life-threatening and may cause permanent damage to the nerves, muscles, and brain. Early symptoms include muscle weakness in the face, eyes, mouth, and throat.

According to the World Health Organization, botulinum toxins can block nerve functions, leading to respiratory and muscular paralysis.

Listeria

According to the CDC, approximately 1,600 people get listeriosis each year with around 260 people dying of the bacteria. Listeria can cause widespread infection with symptoms that may include flu-like symptoms, stiff neck, confusion, as well as coordination problems, and convulsions.

Listeria is especially dangerous in pregnant women. The CDC states that infection during pregnancy can lead to a miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.

Hepatitis A

This virus affects the liver and can possibly cause acute liver failure. In some cases, a liver transplant is necessary. According to WHO, those at risk of hepatitis A are those who do not have access to clean water.

Shigella Infection

Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and cramps that begin one to two days after exposure. Foods that are consumed raw are more likely to be contaminated with the shigella bacteria. Most outbreaks can be traced back to food that was prepared by sick food workers.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our DC Food Poison Attorney

Our Washington DC food poisoning lawyer has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Backed by more than 100 years of combined experience, our firm has an established reputation for pursuing legal excellence.

As our client, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your rights will be protected from start to finish. We will do everything in our power to secure the maximum compensation you need to pay for injury-related expenses, such as medical care and lost income, as well as full compensation for all of the physical and emotional consequences of your injuries.

If you suffered from a foodborne illness and need help seeking compensation, our DC food safety lawyer is here to help. Contact Regan Zambri Long PLLC today to schedule a free consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Foodborne Illnesses

Can I Sue a Restaurant If I Become Ill?

If the restaurant was negligent in preparing your food, you do have the right to sue them for food poisoning. But you will need to show that negligence caused your foodborne illness. This can become tricky because you will need evidence that the restaurant or one of its employees had acted in a negligent manner that caused you to become ill.

This is why it’s important to speak to our food poisoning lawyers. We can speak to eyewitnesses and, if available, recover any video footage from the restaurant that will show when and how the negligence occurred.

What Compensation is Available?

If you can show that contaminated food caused food poisoning, you could be compensated for the following:

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Food Poisoning Attorney at Regan Zambri Long?

Regan Zambri Long works on a contingency basis. This means that you will not be charged an attorney’s fee at the beginning of the case. Once the case is completed, we will take a percentage of your settlement or verdict for our services. If we do not get you the compensation you deserve, then you will not owe us a fee. And as always the first consultation is free of charge.

Our Washington, DC Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help

The Washington, DC food poisoning lawyers at Regan Zambri Long PLLC have extensive experience with all types of injury claims. We have represented personal injury cases of national significance. With decades of experience, an impressive track record, and multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, our injury lawyers have the knowledge, resources, and expertise needed to handle your food poisoning lawsuit.

Our attorneys can investigate the circumstances of your injuries and take the steps needed to identify all liable parties. We will represent your best interests in a personal injury lawsuit and fight for your right to compensation. Call (202) 960-4596 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

Call 202-960-4596

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