Food Poisoning Product Liability Lawsuits
Food Poisoning Injury Lawsuits
Each year, millions of people get sick after eating food contaminated with viruses and bacteria. 1 in 6 Americans experience food poisoning annually, and thousands require hospitalization. If you or a loved one were injured by contaminated food, the attorneys at mctlaw may be able to help.
Contact us now for a free case review. Don’t wait–time is critical.
Why work with mctlaw on a food poisoning lawsuit?
- Our attorneys have years of experience litigating complex product liability claims.
- We conduct thorough investigations to identify who should be held responsible for the injuries.
- We have the resources, ability, and the motivation to litigate your claim against large corporate defendants.
- We offer free case reviews–don’t wait. There’s no cost and no pressure. Contact us now, and we will evaluate your claim for free.
Food Poisoning and Product Liability
Commercial food manufacturers and distributors have a responsibility to ensure that the products they sell to consumers are safe to eat. When they fail to meet the necessary safety standards, their products can make people sick.
- Preserve the product.
- Do not throw away the food that you believe made you sick.
- Store it in the original packaging.
- Keep the proof of purchase:
- Receipts
- Credit card statements
- Online order documents showing when you bought and paid for the item.
What types of products can cause food poisoning outbreaks?
Significant recalls have happened in the past after multiple people have gotten sick. Examples of these recalls include:
- Boar’s Head Deli Meat (2024): 60 people were hospitalized after eating deli meat that had been contaminated with listeria. Boar’s Head recalled seven million pounds of deli meat after unsanitary conditions were discovered in a Virginia plant.
- Cantaloupes (2011): Cantaloupes harvested from Jensen Farms in Colorado infected nearly 150 people with listeria, and 33 people died. The outbreak was spread across 28 different states.
- Peanut Corporation of America (2008-2009): Over 700 people were infected with salmonella after eating contaminated peanut products. Nine victims died, and the CEO of the company was sentenced to 28 years in prison.
- Spinach (2006): Nearly 200 people were infected with E. coli after eating contaminated spinach. 31 individuals experienced a rare form of kidney failure, a possible complication of E. coli infections.
- Jack in the Box (1992-1993): Over 700 people were infected with E. coli after eating Jack in the Box hamburger patties.
What should I do if I have symptoms of food poisoning?
As soon as you realize that you or someone you love has been injured by food poisoning, you should:
- See a doctor or go to the hospital. While most people recover from food poisoning without needing medical care, certain populations are more vulnerable to severe illness. These groups include young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. Even if you do not fall into one of these categories, if you are seriously ill, seek medical attention.
- Contact your local health department: The health department may be able to trace the source of your illness to prevent others from becoming sick.
- Keep track of what you ate: Food poisoning symptoms can sometimes take weeks to appear. Create a list of everything you ate and where you purchased the food items. Keep any receipts you may have saved or photos you took of any food you have eaten over the last three weeks.
Listeria
E. Coli
Salmonella
How does food poisoning happen?
Food can be contaminated in many ways, such as by:
- Using infected animals to produce egg or dairy products.
- Using contaminated water to clean or prepare food.
- Allowing people who are ill to prepare and handle food.
- Failing to store food at proper temperatures.
There are two main types of foodborne illness. One is bacterial (Salmonella, Listeria, E. Coli), while the other is viral (norovirus, hepatitis A). Each of these illnesses can come with unique symptoms, but common symptoms of food poisoning include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Aches
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
Typically, food poisoning runs its course in 24 to 48 hours, but in severe cases, serious complications can arise, such as:
- Kidney damage
- Arthritis
- Nervous system & brain damage
- Miscarriage or stillbirth
- Death
Our Food Poisoning Legal Team
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Content Reviewed by Michael Cowgill – Product Liability Lawyer
Michael Cowgill is an experienced attorney in the product liability division at mctlaw. Michael focuses his practice on defective medical devices such as recalled metal-on-metal hips and wrongful death lawsuits involving Kratom. Mr. Cowgill graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, OR. He volunteers as a high school mentor with a program for underprivileged youths interested in pursuing a future legal career.
This page was last updated:
Sources:
- https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/FoodborneDiseasesandOutbreaks.aspx
- https://www.foodsafety.gov/recalls-and-outbreaks
- https://www.fda.gov/files/food/published/Most-Common-Foodborne-Illnesses-%28PDF%29.pdf
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21167-food-poisoning
- https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/12/jack-in-the-box-e-coli-outbreak-25th-anniversary/
- https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?archive_url=https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/listeria/outbreaks/cantaloupes-jensen-farms/map.html
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