"When I was injured due to inadequate security at a retail center in Columbus, I felt completely lost. This firm quickly stepped in, investigated the facts, and held the property owner accountable for their negligence. They treated my case with dignity and professionalism, securing a settlement that covered my medical bills and lost wages. I highly recommend them for any crime-related injury on someone else's property."
Injury Due to Food Poisoning: Personal Injury Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Individuals throughout The State of Ohio
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Ohio Injury Due to Food Poisoning: Personal Injury Lawyers
Experienced Premise Liability Injury Attorney providing Personal Injury representation involving Injury Due to Food Poisoning in a restaurant throughout the State of Ohio.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule a Free Consultation with on of our Premise Liability Personal Injury Attorneys.
Ohio Food Poisoning Attorneys: Premises & Product Liability Claims
A meal out should never lead to hospitalization. When you contract a serious foodborne illness—such as E. coli, Salmonella, or Norovirus—due to contaminated food served in a restaurant, you have the right to seek justice. While food poisoning is often viewed as a Product Liability issue, it frequently involves Premises Liability when the contamination is caused by the restaurant's direct failure to maintain sanitary conditions, proper storage, or follow strict food safety procedures.
If you or a loved one suffered severe illness or long-term complications from food poisoning in an Ohio dining establishment, our experienced Personal Injury Attorney team is ready to help. We are experts at navigating the complexities of food safety law, proving the source of contamination, and holding negligent restaurants and food handlers accountable under the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code (OAC 3717-1).
Proving Fault: Premises Liability vs. Product Liability
A food poisoning lawsuit may be brought under two primary legal theories, both of which focus on the restaurant’s failure in its duty of care:
1. Premises Liability (Unsanitary Conditions)
This theory applies when the illness results directly from the restaurant’s failure to maintain a safe and sanitary environment, which is a key part of their duty of care to invitees (customers). This includes:
- Inadequate Sanitation: Failure to properly clean surfaces, utensils, and food preparation areas as mandated by the Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code (OAC 3717-1).
- Employee Hygiene: Negligence in enforcing employee health rules, such as failing to report illness (OAC 3717-1-02.1) or follow proper handwashing procedures (OAC 3717-1-02.2).
- Improper Storage: Allowing food to be stored at incorrect temperatures, leading to bacterial growth, or neglecting to prevent cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods.
2. Product Liability (Defective Food Product)
This theory often utilizes strict liability, meaning the victim does not necessarily have to prove the restaurant was negligent, only that the food product itself was defective (contaminated) and unreasonably dangerous when served. This applies regardless of where the contamination occurred—in the processing plant or the restaurant's kitchen.
Our firm investigates every angle to determine the strongest path to compensation, whether it’s proving negligence under Premises Liability or demonstrating a defective food product under Strict Liability.
Key Evidence for a Food Poisoning Claim
Food poisoning cases are often challenging because symptoms can be delayed, making it difficult to definitively link the illness to a specific meal. Building a strong case requires speed and precision, using evidence that connects the restaurant's violation of food safety standards (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3717) to your diagnosis:
- Medical Documentation: An immediate doctor’s visit and lab tests (stool samples) that confirm the specific pathogen (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella). This is vital to establishing causation.
- Health Department Investigation: Contacting the local health department may trigger an investigation, which produces an official inspection report (R.C. § 3717.27). Critical violations cited by health inspectors are powerful evidence of the restaurant’s negligence.
- Receipts and Witnesses: Proof that you consumed the food at the specific restaurant and testimony from dining companions who may have also become ill.
- Internal Records: Through litigation, we seek the restaurant’s internal records, including employee sick logs, temperature logs, and training documents, to expose unsanitary practices.
Compensation for Foodborne Illness Victims
Severe food poisoning can lead to permanent damage, including kidney failure (from E. coli), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or chronic arthritis. We fight for comprehensive recovery covering both economic and non-economic losses:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for emergency room visits, hospitalization, specialist consultations, and any long-term treatment related to organ damage.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to being too ill to work.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages for the severe physical pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and emotional distress caused by the illness.
- Wrongful Death: If a loved one dies due to a severe foodborne illness (like Listeria or Botulism), we pursue a Wrongful Death claim under Ohio law.
Don't Delay: Contact Our Ohio Food Poisoning Lawyers
Evidence in a food poisoning case disappears quickly. The statute of limitations for a Personal Injury claim in Ohio (R.C. § 2305.10) is typically two years. Protect your rights and your health by contacting us immediately.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule your Free Consultation.
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
What Our Clients Say
After prolonged exposure to toxic mold at my workplace, I started experiencing severe health issues. Proving the connection to the business's negligence felt impossible until I hired this firm. They were brilliant, connecting my health problems to the landlord's failure to address water damage. They gave me my health and my life back by securing a significant settlement. For mold-related injury cases, they are unparalleled."
"My accident at a poorly maintained apartment complex pool in Dayton was terrifying. I suffered a serious head injury. This law firm was incredible; they immediately started investigating the pool's safety records and maintenance log. Their work resulted in a successful claim against the property management. If you've been injured at a pool in Ohio, you want this firm on your side."
"The defective stairs at a restaurant in Toledo caused a significant knee injury. The property owner initially refused to pay, but this firm took on the challenge. They brought in experts to show the code violations and built an undeniable case. Thanks to their legal expertise, I received a fair settlement that allows me to focus on my recovery. They truly excel with cases involving unsafe property conditions."
"My child was tragically bitten by a dog at a neighbor's property in Akron. Navigating the aftermath and dealing with the owners was incredibly stressful. The team at this law firm was compassionate yet fiercely effective. They understood Ohio's dog bite laws thoroughly and fought to ensure my child received the necessary medical care and compensation for their trauma. They are the best dog bite attorneys in the state."
"I had a terrible slip and fall accident on a wet floor at a grocery store in Cincinnati that led to a serious fracture. The store tried to deny responsibility, but this firm's meticulous preparation and dedication proved the store's negligence. They were communicative throughout the entire process, making a stressful situation much easier to handle. Choose them if you need a top-notch slip and fall lawyer."
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PH: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 • OFFICE LOCATION • 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd. Columbus, OH 43220