Every year, authorities recall millions of food products that threaten the health of consumers in Pennsylvania and other states. If you are a victim of food poisoning caused by salmonella, you will likely have questions about your legal rights. In recent months, salmonella-related recalls included raw turkey, eggs, pre-packed salads, melon and Swiss roles, and right now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns consumers to dispose of any Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal they own.
Salmonella causes a bacterial infection in anyone who consumes a contaminated food product. The effects of the resulting food poisoning typically include abdominal cramps, fever and diarrhea that might last for up to seven days. Salmonella is not generally life-threatening, but if any of your loved ones have weakened immune systems, or if they are elderly or infants, they could become severely ill if they ingest contaminated foods.
Who is responsible for medical expenses?
If you or a loved one became seriously ill from a salmonella infection, mounting medical bills could become overwhelming. While your insurance will cover some of the costs, a large percentage will come out of your pocket. A family in another state sued a chicken farmer when their toddler suffered brain damage after he ingested contaminated chicken. The court awarded them nearly $2 million in the product liability verdict.
The cause of your food poisoning could be a product you consumed at home or at a restaurant. If the latter is the case, you might have grounds to sue the restaurant and the source of the product. However, the primary challenge in pursuing damage recovery is proving a connection between the contaminated product provider or producer and your salmonella infection.
How can legal counsel help you?
In most cases, the procedural and legal proceedings of product liability lawsuits are incredibly complex. The following reasons might justify securing the help of legal guidance:
- Sometimes, the evidence is only discoverable by filing a lawsuit.
- A lawyer might secure a favorable settlement without litigation.
- By filing a lawsuit quickly, you might get your share of the available money before more claimants file suits.
- If several other claims against a product failed, the pursuit might become a class action case that is typically even more complicated.
If you or a loved one is a salmonella victim, it is essential for you to consult with an experienced Pennsylvania products liability attorney. Your chances of recovering all your financial and emotional damages will significantly improve if you have the support and guidance of a lawyer who is capable and understands the dynamics of cases that could turn out to be large scale legal actions.