According to multiple reports coming out of Fayetteville, Arkansas, at least 51 people suffered from food poisoning after eating at a single restaurant. Health officials have stated dozens fell violently ill after eating at JJ’s Beer Garden and Brewery. Most exhibited symptoms of diarrhea, fever, and vomiting within a day of eating there. At this time, no one has been reportedly taken to the hospital for treatment. (You can view an article about this ongoing story at US News.) The JJ’s Beer Garden and Brewery food poisoning scare in Arkansas has brought the constant risk of foodborne illnesses back into the national spotlight. If you want to do what you can to avoid contaminated food and the sicknesses they can cause, there are a few best sanitary practices you should always follow. To prevent food poisoning and contaminated food in your own home, you should:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after eating.
- Keep raw meats separate from other foods when you are preparing meals.
- Store raw meat on the lowest possible shelf in refrigerators and freezers.
- Clean all workstations as you work in your own kitchen.
- Cook all food to recommended temperatures and for recommended times.
- Package and store leftovers as soon as possible after finishing your meal.
To avoid dangerously contaminated food in restaurants, you can:
- Look for an “A” food safety rating from official health inspectors in the front windows or doors.
- Ask the chefs to prepare meats as “well done” when possible.
- Do not eat any food that has a questionable odor.
- Take a trip to the restroom before ordering—dirty sinks usually mean dirty kitchens.
- Avoid buffets without proper sneeze guards.
Seeking Compensation for Foodborne Illnesses
People suffer food poisoning from restaurants and eateries all the time, but few actually consider that they might have a personal injury claim because of it. In Ohio, you do have the right to file a claim for damages against an establishment that served you contaminated food. The problem is you have a high evidential burden to fulfill, as pinpointing the exact food that caused you to fall ill is difficult. With the help of Williams DeClark Tuschman Co., L.P.A., you can get legal guidance regarding food poisoning claims. Our Toledo personal injury lawyers have 100+ years of total experience managing complex and intricate claims, including food poisoning cases. We know where to look for evidence to back your statements, and how to seek each penny of compensation you deserve.
Contact us at (419) 719-5195 to schedule a no-cost consultation with our law firm.