Detroit Food Allergy Litigation

Food allergies can lead to serious and sometimes fatal allergic reactions, especially when allergens are unknowingly ingested due to negligence or mislabeling. In Detroit, individuals who suffer from food allergy incidents caused by another party’s carelessness have the legal right to seek compensation. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC is committed to representing food allergy victims and holding manufacturers, restaurants, and other parties accountable. To arrange a free consultation today, call at (833) 330-3663 or message us online.

Common Causes of Food Allergy Reactions

Severe allergic reactions often occur when proper food safety practices are not followed. Common causes include:

Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergens
Manufacturers are legally required to disclose all ingredients on product labels, including major allergens like peanuts, dairy, soy, wheat, and shellfish. When this information is missing or incorrect, allergic consumers are put at serious risk.

Cross-Contamination
Cross-contact between allergen and non-allergen foods can occur during manufacturing, packaging, or preparation. In busy restaurant kitchens or food production facilities, a lack of separation or cleaning protocols often leads to unintended exposure.

False Allergen-Free Claims
Some products are advertised as “gluten-free” or “nut-free” but still contain trace amounts of allergens. These misleading claims can be deadly for people with severe allergies.

Negligent Food Handling
Restaurants and food service workers must be trained to handle allergy-specific orders safely. When staff fail to follow proper procedures—such as using separate utensils or checking ingredients—customers can suffer severe allergic reactions.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Multiple parties can be responsible for a food allergy incident:

• Food Manufacturers and Distributors: Responsible for ensuring accurate labeling and allergen control during processing. A labeling error or failure to warn of cross-contamination can result in strict liability.
• Restaurants and Food Establishments: Obligated to train staff and follow allergen safety protocols. If they ignore customer warnings or fail to prevent cross-contact, they can be held accountable.
• Retailers and Grocery Stores: Must ensure the food they sell is properly labeled and stored. If a mislabeled product causes an allergic reaction, stores may share liability.
• Schools and Daycare Centers: Required to provide a safe environment for students with known allergies. Failing to implement allergen management plans can result in legal responsibility.

Legal Grounds for Food Allergy Litigation in Michigan

Food allergy victims in Detroit can pursue compensation under several legal theories:

Product Liability
Michigan law holds food manufacturers strictly liable for defective or mislabeled products. If a product causes an allergic reaction due to a hidden or undeclared allergen, a victim does not need to prove negligence—only that the product was unreasonably dangerous.

Negligence
You may file a negligence claim if a restaurant, school, or other entity failed to exercise reasonable care in preventing allergen exposure.

Breach of Warranty
If a product is falsely marketed as allergen-free, victims may be able to file a claim for breach of express or implied warranty.

Premises Liability
Establishments that serve the public are expected to provide safe conditions. This includes protecting patrons with known allergies.

How a Detroit Food Allergy Attorney Can Help

An experienced Detroit food allergy attorney plays a crucial role in building a strong case. For example, they

• Investigate the Incident: Reviewing ingredient lists, labeling, surveillance footage, and speaking with witnesses.
• Identify Liable Parties: Determining who was responsible for the contamination, mislabeling, or miscommunication.
• Negotiate Compensation: Fighting for fair reimbursement for hospital bills, future medical care, lost wages, and emotional distress.
• Take Legal Action: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will be fully prepared to pursue the case in court.

Contact a Detroit Food Allergy Attorney Today

If you or a loved one suffered a serious allergic reaction due to someone else’s negligence, the Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help. Call (833) 330-3663 or message us online to schedule a free consultation.