Maine Injury Lawyer Blog
Individuals who suffer injuries because of contaminated food may hold the restaurant or food manufacturer liable for the damages that they suffered. Food-borne illnesses can have severe and long-lasting consequences for an individual, especially for someone who is young or otherwise immunocompromised. Maine product liability lawsuits based on food-borne diseases can be challenging to establish and require a thorough understanding of the state’s product liability laws.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that over 125,000 people are hospitalized and 3,000 people die each year because of exposure to contaminated food. Many of these deaths and injuries are preventable if food manufacturers follow appropriate and safe food processing standards. However, despite strict regulations, many companies continue to value quick processing times over consumer safety.
A food-borne illness is any illness that results because of exposure to food contaminated with unsafe chemicals, bacteria, or other pathogens. Similarly, injuries can occur if food products contain foreign, dangerous substances, such as glass, metal, and plastic. For example, in a recent state appellate decision, a woman filed a lawsuit against a popular yogurt manufacturer after she consumed metal fragments in the yogurt.
According to the court’s opinion, the woman experienced bleeding and throat pain as she was eating the yogurt. She initially attributed the crunchy sensation to fruit in the yogurt, but emergency room doctors discovered tiny metal fragments in her gastrointestinal tract. The woman filed a product liability lawsuit against the company, alleging that she suffered injuries because of its negligent food processing. The company argued that its food processing standards make it impossible for foreign objects to enter its products. However, senior quality control agents admitted that although it would be rare, and their products go through an x-ray, it was possible that a product could have experienced contamination. The appellate court ultimately concluded that there were genuine issues of material fact that a trial court needed to address before it could find that the company was not liable.
Restaurants, food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers know how difficult these cases are to prove and are typically equipped with a team of lawyers to defend any contaminated food claim. Maine victims should have equally zealous advocates when pursuing compensation for the damages that they sustained.
Have You Suffered Injuries Because of a Contaminated Food Product?
If you or a loved one has suffered a food-borne illness or injury, consider contacting the experienced Maine food poisoning attorneys at Peter Thompson & Associates. Our reputable, compassionate, and devoted attorneys have many years of experience successfully handling various types of injury lawsuits. We understand the challenges that these types of product liability lawsuits entail and have the skills to overcome even the most challenging barriers. We routinely recover substantial amounts of compensation on behalf of our clients. Compensation in product liability lawsuits often includes payments for medical expenses, ongoing medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These cases often require a comprehensive understanding of Maine’s product liability laws, and it is important that you contact an attorney to discuss your rights and remedies. Contact our office today at 1-800-804-2004 to schedule a free initial consultation with a Maine injury attorney.