Food Poisoning

Jeffrey R. Davis, P.A., a Miami personal injury law firm, has represented victims of food poisoning in Miami, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Aventura, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale, and throughout Florida. Some of Jeffrey R. Davis, P.A.’s clients have been injured from eating tainted food or ingesting harmful foreign contaminants in unsafe adulterated food and beverages.

Food poisoning occurs when foods contain viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxins, prions, metals, and other foreign objects. Three main pathogens, Salmonella, Listeria, and Toxoplasma, are especially dangerous and are responsible for the most food-related deaths. The symptoms of foodborne illness can range from mild gastroenteritis (upset stomach) to life-threatening neurologic, hepatic, and renal syndromes.

Some Symptoms of Food Poisoning Include

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Headache
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Blurred Vision
• Loss of Appetite
• Abdominal Cramping or Pain
• Dry Mouth
• Muscle Aches and Pains
• Muscle Weakness
• Uneasiness

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), foodborne diseases have been estimated to cause 6 million to 81 million illnesses and up to 9,000 deaths each year in the United States. Source: Food Related Illnesses and Death in U.S. Report. Therefore, if you have one or more than one of the above listed symptoms, it is important that you seek medical attention immediately.

Sadly, food poisoning has become so common that it is not always taken as seriously as it should be. The CDC believes that many episodes go unreported. This is due to people taking a “wait and see” approach or failing to make the connection as to why they are sick. The costs of food poisoning can quickly add up with medical exams, lab tests, treatment and time missed from work. In very severe cases food poisoning can cause death.

According to the Florida Department of Health in 2010, there were 805 reported victims of Food Poisoning in Florida. In addition, the major factors contributing to the foodborne contamination were: 1) bare-handed food handlers contaminating the food (oral/fecal contamination); 2) contaminated raw products that were not cooked correctly; 3) food that was improperly stored, refrigerated or past its recommended consumption date; and 4) unsanitary conditions.

Important Information for Potential Clients

What Should You Do if You Suspect Food Poisoning?

• Seek medical treatment.
• Check with your local Health Department to learn if others have reported similar incidents.
• If in Florida, log on to the Florida Department of Health and report your suspicions of contaminated food and/or water here.
• Consult an experienced personal injury attorney.

According to the CDC, a Doctor Should Be Consulted When

• High fever (temperature over 101.5 F, measured orally)
• Blood in the stools
• Prolonged vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down (which can lead to dehydration)
• Signs of dehydration, including a decrease in urination, a dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up
• Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury from food poisoning, contact Jeffrey R. Davis P.A. for a no-obligation free case review or call us at (305) 577-3777. Our attorneys will speak with you in English or Spanish/Se Habla Español. You will need an experienced and resourceful personal injury lawyer to determine the strength of your case and define potentially liable parties.