{"id":353263,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:44","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/food-poisoning-and-the-law.html"},"modified":"2025-09-15T14:25:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T19:25:00","slug":"food-poisoning-and-the-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/food-poisoning-and-the-law.html","title":{"rendered":"Food Poisoning and the Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Food Poisoning and the Law<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Liability for food poisoning may fall on manufacturers, distributors<\/span>, restaurants, or individuals, depending on how the food was handled or prepared. Victims may recover damages for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering<\/span>, especially in severe cases<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Recovering from more severe food poisoning cases<\/span> can take weeks. You may experience significant medical bills<\/span>,\u00a0lost wages<\/span>, or\u00a0develop a severe health condition, depending on the type of foodborne illness<\/span> you contract.<\/p>\n

Each case is different, but you may have a legal claim for damages. This article discusses food poisoning lawsuits<\/span> and explains what to do if you or a loved one<\/span> becomes sick after eating contaminated food<\/span>.<\/p>\n

You can also talk to an attorney for legal advice<\/span> specific to you. A personal injury<\/span> attorney<\/span><\/a> near you can review your situation and advise on whether the defendant may be liable for your illness. If so, they will advocate for you throughout the legal process and fight for fair compensation<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Types of Food Poisoning<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are at least 250 types of food poisoning<\/span>.<\/a>\u00a0However, most cases fall into one of three categories: bacterial, parasitic, and viral:<\/p>\n