Chicago Food Poisoning Lawyer - Article
Food Poisoning
Most people have suffered from food poisoning at least once in their lives. In fact, the Center for Disease Control estimates that improperly stored or prepared food causes around 76 million illnesses every year. People often don’t even realize they have food poisoning; the symptoms are mild and fade away after a day or so. Other cases, however, require emergency treatment and can even be fatal.
Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, or toxins in food. Although the symptoms will vary depending on the contaminant, some symptoms are common across almost all cases. They include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Stomach cramps and diarrhea
Medical care should be sought right away if the symptoms last more than two days, or if they contain signs of severe illness such as dizziness, blood in vomit or stool, or cramps lasting longer than 10 minutes.
Causes of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning occurs when food becomes contaminated. There are many ways this can happen, including:
- Unhygienic storage
- Food handlers who are sick or do not wash their hands
- Using the same utensils for cooked and raw meat
- Certain foods (barracuda, pufferfish) that have been improperly prepared
- Deliberate contamination, including terrorist actions
The CDC provides simple guidelines that, when followed correctly, could eliminate most cases of food poisoning. They include basic steps such as storing food at the right temperature and keeping utensils clean that every restaurant employee should be familiar with. Unfortunately, negligent or uneducated people continue to make simple mistakes, and their customers continue to suffer as a result.
Contact a Chicago Food Poisoning Lawyer
If you or a loved one has become ill due to improperly prepared food, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. To learn more,
contact Chicago food poisoning lawyers Friedman & Bonebrake at 312-466-8200.