What to Do if You Suspect a Salmonella Outbreak

Addressing a potential Salmonella outbreak is a critical concern for public health and safety. Here are the steps to take if you suspect you have been affected by such an outbreak.

Reporting a Salmonella Outbreak

It is imperative to report a potential outbreak illness to your local health department, as they play a pivotal role in investigating and containing Salmonella outbreaks. Provide as much detail as possible about what you ate, where you ate it or purchased it, and when. Give them a timeline of your symptoms if possible, as this information can be valuable for their investigation.

Seek Medical Attention

The minute you suspect Salmonella poisoning or experience persistent symptoms such as high fever, severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, or vomiting, seek medical care as soon as possible. Early intervention can help in managing the infection and preventing complications.

Certain individuals are at higher risk for complications from Salmonella infection, including young children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.

Preserve Evidence

If possible, keep any leftover food suspected of causing your illness, as well as its packaging. The food can be stored in your refrigerator away from other foods until public health officials can potentially test it. If it is found to be the source, it can help contain the outbreak and also serve as crucial evidence in potential legal proceedings, as it could be a link to liability.

Request copies of your medical records, including diagnosis, test results, and treatment documentation. Try to find any receipts you have from where you purchased or ate the suspected food. If others shared the same food and also became ill, ask them for statements to strengthen your case. In addition, keep records of any missed workdays and associated lost wages due to the illness.

Speak to an Attorney

Contacting a Salmonella lawyer for a potential Salmonella case is an important step if you believe you’ve contracted the illness due to the negligence of a third party and suffered severe symptoms or complications. An experienced food poisoning lawyer can assess your case, investigate to identify responsible parties, gather supporting evidence, negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurer, and file a lawsuit on your behalf if necessary. A class action Salmonella lawsuit may also be an option if multiple individuals were affected by the outbreak.

What Compensation Can I Recover?

Here are the types of compensation you may be able to recover in a Salmonella case:

Reimbursement for Medical Expenses

Compensation for costs related to medical treatment, including doctor’s visits, hospital stays, medication, and therapy, as well as any ongoing medical expenses and required long-term care.

Lost Income

Compensation for the earnings you may have lost due to missed work days and any reduced work capacity if you suffer a permanent impairment.

Pain and Suffering

Compensation for physical and emotional distress experienced as a direct result of the illness, including pain, discomfort, and mental anguish.

Punitive Damages

In cases of extreme negligence or misconduct, the court may award punitive damages as a form of punishment and a deterrent against future wrongdoing.

To speak to a trusted attorney about your case, arrange a free consultation today.