Orange County food poisoning safety and your legal rights
In August 2010, 8,500 lbs. ground beef was recalled for possible E. coli contamination. That same month, 170 million eggs were recalled due to Salmonella Egg Outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 70 million Americans are sickened, 325,000 are hospitalized and 5,000 die each year from foodborne illnesses.
All food recalls are voluntary
The fact that food manufacturers or distributors may determine that an item should be recalled, or agencies of the federal government may request that a manufacturer or distributor institute a recall, is a concern to Americans and Orange County residents. Especially when irresponsible food producers push profit ahead of safety.
Who investigates a possible foodborne illness outbreak in California?
California’s Department of Food and Agriculture Inspection Services is a division within the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The Department’s main focus is to regulate the food industry, such as dairy and livestock. Reporting and investigating is conducted at the local level. Local and state health officials, such as the Orange County Environmental Health Division, are responsible for investigating and reporting suspected foodborne outbreaks.
What can Orange County residents do to do when you suspect food poisoning?
Visit your medical physician immediately for treatment and diagnosis. Doctors are required to report food poisoning or foodborne illnesses. You can also go to the Orange County Environmental Health Division and report that you or others have become ill as suspect food poisoning. You can reach the Orange County Environmental Health Division at 714-433-6000 or go to www.ocfoodinfo.com/illness.htm to report your case. A food specialist will want to get your contact information, where you suspect the food poisoning, the suspected food, symptoms, and food history. Health officials can then begin investigating a suspected foodborne outbreak. The information they learn may help prevent additional cases of the reported illness, as well as possible future outbreaks. Unfortunately, less than 10% of foodborne illnesses are reported, especially when a systemic problem exists and the timing of publicity and recalls is critical to the public. How many of you and your families ate eggs in August before you found out there was a threat of Samlonella outbreak?
Important Facts about Foodborne Illnesses and Food Poisoning
Although signs and symptoms for illnesses vary, the most common symptoms are vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
- Most cases of foodborne illness last between 24-48 hours.
- Symptoms typically appear between 2 to 36 hours after eating the problem food. This means the problem food often is not the last thing you ate.
Most cases of foodborne illness are single cases and not associated with large outbreaks. If you or a family member has suffered from food poisoning and you have questions regarding your legal rights, consult an Orange County Food Poison Attorney for a free case evaluation.
Contact us for a Free Consultation
Elder Abuse Case, Bates vs. Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital
Under certain provisions of the law, located at Welfare and Institutions Code §15657 (often referred to as the Elder Protection Act), a prevailing party in an Elder Abuse case can recover attorney’s fees, and costs. A defendant, however, is not permitted to recover these under this Act.
A recent California Supreme Court case addressed the liability of a school district for the sexual abuse/misconduct allegations against a school counselor in C.A. vs. Hart Union High School District. In this case the plaintiff/student alleged that the school district was liable for the conduct of the counselor.
Personal Injury Newsletter – August 2011
In Howell vs. Hamilton Meats, the Supreme Court held that an injured party could not recover the amount of the medical bills that were billed, only the amount that was paid.
