National Food Poisoning Case Hits Close to Home
For many of us, eating out is not only a treat; it is something of a necessity. Working long hours and rushing to take care of errands and family responsibilities often leaves little time for food preparation. While the occasional fast food fix is hard to resist, at other times we want to go to a place serving fresh foods, cooked to order, and featuring healthy ingredients. Unfortunately, just because a place features meals that are not pre-packaged or deep-fried does not mean it is safe to eat. Food contamination and poisoning can happen anywhere, and injuries due to contaminated food can be severe. Recent headlines about local chains has served to raise public awareness about food poisoning, as increasing numbers of people are affected.
In The News: Chipotle Mexican Restaurants
According to a recent article from South Carolina Public Radio report on food poisoning outbreaks, the increase in the number of people sickened by contaminated food may be due to the fact that restaurant foods have become more complicated, featuring foods and cooking styles from other countries. In addition, news outlets have stepped up reporting when it comes to getting the word out about food safety issues. Recent outbreaks involving the restaurant Chipotle have made headlines, as the chain has resorted to closing restaurants throughout the country, including those in Charleston and throughout South Carolina, after people became sick in not one but two separate food poisoning incidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), despite Chipotle’s efforts to clean up their restaurants and to identify and eliminate the source of the problem the outbreaks continued, and as of December 2015, 53 people in nine different states had reported illnesses to state and federal authorities, while countless more cases have likely gone unreported.
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Symptoms of Food Poisoning
According to the CDC, there are over one million cases of food poisoning reported each year due to bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella, and over 200,000 people require hospitalization as the result. Depending on the type of bacteria present in the food, cases involving food borne contaminates can be severe and even life threatening. According to Healthline, most people know right away if they have ‘eaten something bad’, though they may not always attribute it to food poisoning or recognize the potential dangers. If you experience any of the following after eating out, you should notify your doctor:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cramping or diarrhea
- Headaches or lightheadedness
- Fever
If you become ill due to food poisoning, be especially careful to avoid becoming dehydrated. Food poisoning can be life threatening, so notify your doctor immediately if you suffer a high fever, have difficulty seeing or speaking, or are unable to keep down fluids.
Reach Out to Us for Help
If you or a loved one has been a victim of food poisoning or food contamination, contact Anastopoulo Law Firm. Our experienced South Carolina personal injury attorneys will fight to hold restaurant owners accountable for the serious illnesses and help you to receive the compensation you deserve. With offices in Charleston and throughout South Carolina, we can help you; call us today for a free review of your case.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form