{"id":353264,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:44","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/food-poisoning-basics.html"},"modified":"2024-01-16T09:03:05","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T14:03:05","slug":"food-poisoning-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/food-poisoning-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Legal FAQ: Can You Sue for Food Poisoning?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Legal FAQ: Can You Sue for Food Poisoning?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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You can sue for food poisoning if you can prove the food was contaminated and caused your illness. These lawsuits typically fall under product liability. Success depends on evidence linking your illness to the food and the responsible party.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Going out to eat or buying food from the grocery store is usually perfectly safe. Unfortunately, there are occasions when you may get sick after eating food prepared by others. You may go to a restaurant for dinner and find yourself sick in the middle of the night, or a rotisserie chicken you bought from your local grocery store may give you salmonella poisoning.<\/p>\n

When another person prepares your food, there\u2019s a chance of getting food poisoning. Even if they follow internal safety protocols, people make mistakes. The restaurant\u2019s suppliers may have given them contaminated fruits or vegetables<\/a>, or they might have received partially spoiled meat or seafood from their supply warehouse.<\/p>\n

When this happens, people get sick. You have rights if you contract a foodborne illness after eating from a restaurant, pub, or grocery store. Here, we\u2019ll explain whether you can sue for food poisoning. We\u2019ll also explain what your product liability lawyer<\/a> must prove to get you compensation for your illness.<\/p>\n

What is food poisoning?<\/b><\/h2>\n

People get food poisoning, or foodborne illness, by eating food containing bacteria or viruses.<\/p>\n

There are many ways food contamination can happen. Food can become contaminated at a farm or during packaging. It can spoil en route to the grocery store or restaurant. Food can also become dangerous due to improper food handling, storage, or cooking.<\/p>\n

The exact cause of food poisoning can be hard to determine. Often, symptoms appear days after eating the contaminated food<\/a>.<\/p>\n