The following scenario sounds so perfect: You go to an elegant dinner with your significant other or spouse, and enjoy a wonderful, delicious meal. But even before you get home, you start to feel ill. You can't figure out what in the world is happening - and then you think back and realize that somehow, the melon that came wrapped in the imported prosciutto tasted a little funny. Unbeknownst to you, it was tainted. You've then become yet another victim of food poisoning, and chances are you will require a couple of days to recover from all the horrible effects. You may even require hospitalization.
You're not alone.
Food Poisoning Is More Common Than You ThinkFood poisoning is an injury type that can often be misunderstood. Many people assume that the worst that can result from such an incident is some temporary gastrointestinal illness, such as vomiting. However, that's not true. You can get very sick from eating tainted food - whether it comes from a farm, farm stand, food distributor, restaurant or supermarket. Some types of food poisoning can cause lifelong or permanent injuries. If you've traveled on a cruise ship recently, you know firsthand that the cruise ships take food poisoning very seriously. All passengers are urged to use the innumerable hand sanitizers that are located all around the ship, to stop the spread of bacteria and food poisoning. And when you go to the Captain's cocktail party, he won't shake your hand - instead, you'll get the "fist-bump" or the "elbow nudge," to stop the spread of germs.
Also, many people think that food poisoning is a relatively rare occurrence, and that's not true, either. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that every year approximately one in six Americans (or 48 million people) will get sick from food poisoning. The CDC also estimates that another 128,000 will be hospitalized; and 3,000 more will actually die of foodborne diseases. The tainted food could have been bought at a grocery store or consumed in a restaurant, at a catered event, on an airplane, a cruise ship or a train. Salmonella appears to be the leading cause of hospitalizations.
The bacteria Listeria, E. coli 0157, the parasite that causes Toxoplasmosis, and Clostridium perfringens, also are the most common cause of food poisonings, says the CDC. Infection from these pathogens can cause very severe symptoms, and often result in hospitalization. Norovirus, which is often blamed for outbreaks on cruise ships and nursing homes, is said to cause about 60% of food poisoning-related illnesses. Symptoms of food poisoning can vary widely, from mild to very severe. The more severe cases can result in kidney failure, septic blood poisoning, brain damage, and in some cases even death.
Aside from the straight poisoning cases, injuries can also result from foreign objects being left in food, such as dangerous pieces of plastic or glass. We've all seen reports of when a government agency, such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Food and Drug Administration has issued recalls of certain food products, due to dangerous materials and foreign objects inside the food. However, some recalls may be ordered too late to prevent someone from being harmed. Our firm has seen many cases where injuries have resulted because someone either bit down on glass or plastic fragments and suffered severe lacerations to their mouth. In worse cases, the victim may swallow the object, often times requiring emergency surgery to remove the foreign object and repair organ damage.
While anyone can fall victim to food poisoning, certain types of people are more vulnerable. These include elderly people, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases (such as cancer, or HIV) that result in weakened immune systems. While you may keep your own kitchen spotless, when you are out of your own house, food safety is basically outside of your control. At that point, food safety becomes the legal responsibility of other parties, who are providing the food you consume.
If you or someone you care about has become ill due to what you believe is food poisoning or a foreign object left in your food, the first thing you should do, obviously, is seek appropriate medical attention. Following that, it would be wise to speak with an experienced Massachusetts food injury attorney. Here at the Greater Boston Law Offices of William D. Kickham we know how to obtain the highest financial compensation possible for victims of food poisoning. Such compensation can include medical expenses and lost wages, when appropriate.
Download Our Free DocumentIf you think that you or someone you care about has suffered from either food poisoning or a food-borne injury , after you have received medical treatment, your first step should be to click here to receive our FREE article, "The Top 10 Things To Do After Suffering An Injury or Accident in Massachusetts." This valuable article will give you a "road map" of what to do - and what not to do - following such an incident. If you have suffered from food poisoning or a foreign object in your food, you may be entitled to financial damages for your pain and suffering. After reading this article, call our offices at Ph.: (781) 320-0062, or at Ph.: (617) 285-3600; or click here to send us a confidential email. We'll provide you with a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION, and let you know what your best legal options are.
Legal liability for food poisoning or food borne injuries can rest with various potential defendants: The individuals and companies responsible for the growing, packaging, distribution, preparation or serving of food - whether it occurs at a restaurant, school cafeteria, or picnic - may be negligent. The list can be a short or long one, but Massachusetts law provides that such defendants be held responsible for the injuries of their victims.
Food poisoning cases can often be hard to prove, and that is why victims of this type of injury need a very experienced Massachusetts food injury attorney. How can you be certain that a particular food product caused the illness or injury? How do you know that you didn't just have the flu that day -- or the proverbial "bug?" With so many factors involved, it is critical to have an experienced Massachusetts food injury attorney on your side; an attorney that is skilled at both the major factors and the minutiae involved in a food poisoning or food injury case.
The Law Offices of William D. Kickham and Associates serves as legal counsel in food poisoning and food borne injury lawsuits that involve:
If you've suffered food poisoning or been injured due a foreign object in food, make the best choice you can and call our office now at Ph.: (781) 320-0062 or at (617) 285-3600. Or you can click here to send us a confidential email.
If you recognize Attorney Kickham's name, it's probably because you've seen him on television or in the news media. Attorney William Kickham is frequently asked for his expertise and legal analysis by a variety of newspapers, TV stations and radio news outlets. These media outlets include Court TV (now In Session on HLN,) Fox News TV-25/Boston, The Boston Herald, WBZ-AM Radio 1030, WCVB-TV5/Boston, Nightside With Dan Rea, Greater Boston With Emily Rooney, Money Matters Radio/Boston, and The Metro Newspaper/ Boston. The media calls upon Attorney William Kickham because they know he is an expert in the field of Massachusetts injury law.
If you've suffered such an injury, make the right choice in who you hire as your attorney. Contact the Greater Boston law firm of William D. Kickham to schedule a free initial consultation. Call us at Ph.: (781) 320-0062, or at Ph.: (617) 285-3600; or click here to send us a confidential email. We promise to get right back to you. We'll provide you with a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION, and let you know what your best legal options are.
And if we accept your case, we will not stop until we secure the maximum amount of financial compensation for you.