Food Safety: A Quick Guide to Knowing Your Rights

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a commitment to the public to constantly higher the standards and research for food safety and its distribution. Food companies, including products sold in markets, restaurants and fast food chains, are all required to abide by both federal and local food policies and procedures. You as a consumer have a right to safe food. Despite efforts to keep safe food on the market, sometimes unsanitary and unsafe food can still slip past these standards, leaving consumers to face serious food borne diseases and other serious illnesses. The CDC reported that there are still millions of people who are affected by food related diseases. Furthermore, contaminated foods are said to be the cause of billions of dollars of medical care every year. If you feel that you have been victim to a company’s failure to deliver safe and quality food, the attorneys and Malman Law urge you to speak up and receive legal advice from an Illinois product liability attorney today. By filing a claim for product liability, you can help to prevent other persons from becoming sick.

How do I know if I may have a claim?

First, if you have become sick after consuming a product, be sure to receive medical attention immediately. Some illnesses can progress rapidly and cause serious complications including miscarriage in women and even death. Secondly, consult a product liability attorney immediately to perform an accurate investigation on your case. Companies can be liable for many reasons, some of the most common are incorrect preparations such as uncleanliness and improper storage, sick employees who can transmit serious illnesses, and or expired or recalled food that was served. An evaluation from a medical professional can help to diagnose what your illness is and how it may have been caused. This can also be used as evidence in your case. If you happened to have saved left overs, do not throw them away. Left overs can be used as evidence if it proves to carry the illness that you acquired.

Companies are required by law to safely handle their products. If they fail to do so, they may be responsible for an illness that a consumer was affected by. For example, restaurants are generally required by federal and local laws to send sick employees home. If they fail to do so, and you as a consumer of their food suffered a severe illness, that company may be liable for damages done. Consulting a product liability attorney will be your first step in determining whether or not you may have a case.

Who is at the highest risk for food borne diseases?

According to the CDC, pregnant women, newborns, the elderly aged 65+, and persons with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk for food borne diseases. Companies who administer food to these persons are encouraged to be cautionary when serving these persons who are at a higher risk.

Malman Law is a Chicago-based personal injury law firm who practices in all of Illinois. Our firm has a team of experienced and dedicated attorneys who will thoroughly investigate your case to submit a successful claim. If you feel that you may have suffered a serious illness due to improper food distribution, do not keep silent. By filing a claim, negligent food distributors and restaurants will be held liable for their faults. This can also help to compensate for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call our office today for a free consultation and legal advice.