New York Food Poisoning Injury Lawyers

NY Defective Product Attorneys

The food poisoning lawyers at Goidel and Siegel LLP have represented many people sickened by tainted and contaminated foods. Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria are just a few pathogens that can invade a food product, leaving those who consume the contaminated item with a serious illness or even death.

Our food poisoning lawyers have seen countless incidents where a manufacturer's or retailer's negligence has been directly responsible for outbreaks of food poisoning. A serious bout of food poisoning can leave a victim with significant medical expenses, lost wages and other problems. The food poisoning lawyers at our firm are committed to helping victims of food borne illnesses receive the compensation they deserve.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), food poisoning causes about 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and up to 5,000 deaths each year. Salmonella alone - one of the most common forms of food poisoning - account for one billion dollars in medical costs and lost work time. Everything from tainted lettuce, contaminated meat and even defective children's snack foods have been implicated in large-scale food poisoning outbreaks.

Causes of Food Contamination

Food poisoning is almost always the result of improper growing, processing, distribution, or preparation of food. Produce may become contaminated with salmonella, shigella, or Escherichia coli (E. coli). Meat and eggs may also become contaminated. Cooked food that is left unrefrigerated for more than two hours invites bacteria growth and may cause serious illness. A restaurant, factory, farm, or any other place where food is handled may be responsible for food contamination by neglecting standard health procedures. When sanitation and proper food preparation procedures are ignored, food poisoning is inevitable. The contaminated food may cause viruses and parasites, which in turn lead to health problems. Victims of food poisoning may be entitled to compensation under the law. If you feel you have suffered because of food contamination that could have been prevented with appropriate health measures, contact Goidel and Siegel for a free case review.

Symptoms of Food Poisoning

Most cases of food poisoning are marked by symptoms similar to those of the intestinal flu. Food poisoning can range from mild to serious depending on many factors, including the level of contamination and the health of the victim. Symptoms of food poisoning may include:

• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Shock

How to Prove a Food Contamination Claim

Under our system of law, a person injured by food poisoning has to prove three things in order to make a successful claim:

• Fault - that the food seller or processor did something wrong with regard to food processing, preparation, storage or handling.
• Causation - the fault of the seller or processor caused the food to become contaminated and that the contaminated food actually caused the illness.
• Damages - the harms and losses suffered by the victim as a result of consuming the contaminated food.

Our NY food poisoning lawyers have helped hundreds of people get the compensation they deserve from manufacturers, growers and retailers who negligently allow tainted foods to come to market. If you or a loved one suffered from food poisoning, you have legal rights. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced food poisoning lawyer.