There are minor food poisoning cases that last for a few short hours, or perhaps overnight, but there are often serious cases that can last for days and even lead to hospitalization. Whether you have been a recent victim of food poisoning or not, you should know your legal rights in the case that it does happen to you. Continue reading to learn what you can do if you ever become a
victim of serious food poisoning.
Food Borne Illness
There are several reasons why food can become contaminated. Everything from improper handling to cross contamination can lead to food or water being tainted. The common types of food poisoning include salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Botulism, Campylobacter, Hepatitis A, and Norovirus. Minor cases will result in one day’s worth of nausea, stomach cramping, and perhaps limited vomiting and diarrhea. But more severe cases will results in high fever, extreme stomach cramps, dehydration, and on-going vomiting and diarrhea. Major cases generally last for more than one day, as well.
Advice for Victims
If you ever think you might be feeling the symptoms of food poisoning, it is important to think about your health first. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. While getting medical care, have your doctor confirm the illness by taking a stool sample. This, as well as your medical record, can be used as evidence of the contamination and negligence that caused your suffering. If you do not have the illness confirmed by medical testing, you can lose your legal rights to compensation for your losses.
It is also important to keep track of all your symptoms and the times and dates you experienced them so you have a record. It is also wise to keep a sample of the contaminated food for further confirmation and evidence. Once you have received medical care for your illness, it is time to hire a personal injury attorney who can protect your rights as a food poisoning victim.