Robert Peirce & Associates: Pittsburgh’s trusted food poisoning attorneys
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, foodborne illness causes an estimated 48 million illnesses and 3,000 deaths each year in the United States. Foodborne illness can be caused by ingesting food that has been contaminated with harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses, and other pathogens.
Much like the flu, symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever. Since there is a similarity to flu-like symptoms, many people do not realize the illness they are experiencing is caused by harmful bacteria or other pathogens in food. While most cases are mild, there are times that they can be more serious causing long term health issues and in extreme cases, death. Outbreaks are becoming far too common and occur when there are two or more people who have become ill because of a single food source. For example, our firm handled a series of cases arising from a wedding, where dozens of people became ill, including, unfortunately the bride and groom.
Foodborne illness cases can be caused by the following:
• Improper handling
• Contamination
• Improper food preparation
• Use of low grade or dangerous food products
• Poor storage
• Preparation or storage at improper temperatures
If you have suffered physical illness because of a food producer, restaurant, or grocery store’s wrongdoing, you need a law firm that has experience and success in handling these cases. The attorneys of Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C., have a proven track record of successfully litigating foodborne illness cases.
“Most of the time it can be very difficult to trace the origin of the illness,” said Attorney Aaron Rihn. “The time period between the time you eat the food and become sick can be multiple hours or sometimes even days. Associating your illness with the last meal you ate may not be the best way to trace what made you sick. It could have been two or three meals earlier; however, trying to pinpoint the origin of the illness is key to learning if it is associated with an outbreak,” said Rihn.
Food suppliers have a duty to ensure that the food that you are eating is safe. Foodborne illness is most often caused by ingesting food that is improperly cooked or is prepared without using proper hygienic preparation protocols. Outbreaks can be caused due to many factors, such as produce traced back to the grower when contaminated water is used or in isolated regional cases when a food handler is sick and is not following hygiene protocols. These examples can play a role in causing a larger public health risk.
Foodborne illness cases are largely underdiagnosed. Many times, individuals who become sick from a foodborne illness will go to their medical doctor or emergency room to receive a generic diagnosis of food poisoning or gastroenteritis. When you or a family member have been exposed to contaminated food, you should get treatment from your doctor immediately to receive a blood, stool, or urine culture to determine if you have contracted a foodborne illness. Your next step should be to file a report with the health department.
“The law governing foodborne illness is unique as it is strict liability, meaning that if you eat something that you purchased and you got sick, they are automatically liable for that injury,” said Rihn. “This means that you don’t have to prove someone did something wrong. You just need to prove that their product made someone sick.”
It’s very important to know that you have legal options to recover compensation for damages and lost wages if you have suffered from a foodborne illness. Commercial food suppliers have a duty to ensure that the food that you are eating is safe. If you or a loved one has been exposed to contaminated food, contact the foodborne illness attorneys at Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C.
There are no fees or costs unless we are successful. In other words, you will never pay a fee unless there is a successful outcome. To make a no obligation appointment, contact Attorney Aaron Rihn at Robert Peirce & Associates at 412-281-7229 or visit peircelaw.com.
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