- Get a Free Consultation
Few surprises are less pleasant than coming down with a case of food poisoning. One moment, you are enjoying a meal at your favorite restaurant. Hours later, you are in pain and unable to think of anything else. Severe cases can be more than just unforgettable — they can be debilitating or even life-threatening. Beyond the physical harm, food poisoning can create emotional distress and financial hardship as medical bills pile up and lost wages accumulate.
If you recently suffered food poisoning and believe someone else is to blame, you will need experienced legal representation to help you seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and suffering. At Marks & Harrison, our Washington DC food poisoning lawyers understand the devastating effects food poisoning can have on you and your family. We want to help make things right.
Our skilled Washington DC food poisoning attorneys have an excellent track record of success. With offices throughout Virginia and Washington, DC, we are ready to give you the legal help you need. To learn more, contact us today and receive a free consultation about your case.
Why You Need Our Washington DC Food Poisoning Attorneys
Food poisoning cases require extensive investigation, documentation, and legal skills. Our food poisoning attorneys have decades of combined experience fighting for injured individuals throughout the region. With a team of former insurance adjusters and law enforcement officers as investigators, we understand how to build solid cases that get results. We have the resources and dedication to investigate your illness thoroughly, identify all responsible parties, and hold them accountable for their negligence.
How Does Food Poisoning Happen in Washington DC?
Food contamination can occur at any point from farm to table.
Common causes of food poisoning in Washington DC include:
- Improper storage — Not keeping food stored at safe temperatures or storing them for too long.
- Contaminated ingredients — Raw ingredients that contain harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
- Unsanitary conditions — Dirty preparation areas, equipment, or storage facilities that allow bacterial growth.
- Poor food handling practices — Improper hand washing, cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods, or allowing sick employees to handle food.
- Inadequate cooking temperatures — Failing to cook foods thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria.
A thorough investigation into the incident can determine whether these factors contributed to your illness.
What Sort of Illnesses Can Result from Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning can cause several serious illnesses, each with its risks and symptoms.
Some of the most common food poisoning illnesses include:
- Salmonella — Causes fever, severe diarrhea, and abdominal cramps within 12-72 hours of exposure.
- E. coli — Typically leads to bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, and vomiting within 3-4 days.
- Listeria — Results in fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly dangerous for pregnant women.
- Norovirus — Triggers sudden onset of vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain within 12-48 hours.
- Hepatitis A — Causes fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice, potentially leading to liver damage.
Some of the symptoms these food poisoning illnesses share include:
- Severe stomach cramps and pain
- Persistent vomiting and diarrhea
- High fever
- Dehydration
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Blood in stool.
Some cases are resolved within a few days. But other ones can lead to alarming complications requiring hospitalization. In severe cases, food poisoning can even result in death, particularly for young children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. Contact our Washington DC food poisoning lawyer today.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Food Poisoning?
Multiple parties may bear responsibility for food contamination that made you ill. These can include:
- Restaurants and food service establishments, when they fail to maintain proper food safety standards
- Food manufacturers and processors, if the contamination occurred during production or packaging
- Distributors and wholesalers, when improper storage or handling during transport leads to contamination
- Grocery stores and retailers, if they sell expired products or fail to maintain proper storage conditions
- Suppliers and farmers, when contamination begins at the source of food production.
How Difficult Can a Washington DC Food Poisoning Claim Be to Prove?
Food poisoning cases present unique challenges that require skilled legal representation to resolve. For instance, you must establish a clear link between your consumption of contaminated food and the onset of your illness by sorting through medical documentation and other evidence.
At Marks & Harrison, our team includes former insurance adjusters and investigators who will know how to:
- Gather medical records documenting your illness and treatment.
- Collect evidence about food handling practices.
- Interview witnesses and other victims.
- Work with medical and food safety experts to establish causation.
- Build a compelling case that proves liability.
Can I Recover Compensation for My Illnesses?
If we can prove another party’s negligence caused your food poisoning, you may recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses and ongoing treatment costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Out-of-pocket expenses.
While the value of your compensation will depend on the nature of your case, our attorneys can provide you with an informed estimate of how much you may be eligible to recover.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Washington DC Food Poisoning Lawsuit?
In Washington DC, you generally have three years from the date of your illness to file a food poisoning lawsuit. However, you should not wait to take legal action. Evidence can disappear quickly, and building a successful case takes time. Contact our experienced food poisoning attorneys as soon as possible after you have become ill.
How Our Washington DC Food Poisoning Lawyers Can Help
At Marks & Harrison, our personal injury lawyers have represented thousands of injured victims across Virginia and Washington DC throughout our more than 100-year-old history. Our team of more than attorneys and 100 support personnel focuses on helping injured and ill people pursue the compensation they deserve. When you choose us to handle your food poisoning case, you can expect the following:
- The resources to thoroughly investigate your claim.
- Attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.
- A firm voted Best Law Firm by multiple publications.
- 24/7 availability through our night and weekend staff.
Contact Marks & Harrison today for a free consultation. Let us help you overcome the challenges of your food poisoning case. We can evaluate your situation and fight for the compensation you deserve.
