The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates each year 3,000 Americans will die as a result of foodborne illnesses. The CDC also reports that roughly one in six Americans will get sick as a result of eating or drinking a contaminated food product. Despite advancements in food safety over the last century, new disease-causing pathogens are being discovered regularly. Foodborne illnesses occur when a person eats or drinks a food product that has been contaminated with a disease-causing pathogen. According to the CDC, the top five disease-causing pathogens in the U.S. for 2011 are:

• Norovirus
• Salmonella
• Clostridium perfringens (C.perfringens)
• Campylobacter
• Staphylococcus aureus.

The San Jose foodborne illness attorneys at the law firm of Estey Bomberger have years of experience representing individuals harmed by dangerous food products. We have what it takes – knowledge and finances – to litigate complex personal injury claims against negligent or careless food manufacturers, distributors or preparers.

Foodborne Illness Symptoms

After a pathogen has been ingested, symptoms may not surface for hours or even days. Depending on the bacterium or virus that has been ingested, most pathogens go through an incubation period, which delays the onset of symptoms. During the incubation period, the disease-causing pathogen passes through the stomach, enters the intestines and attaches itself to the lining of the intestinal walls. Some pathogens sit in the intestine while others produce a toxin or invade deeper tissue. Once a pathogen enters the intestine, symptoms typically appear. Foodborne illness symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever.

How Does Food Become Contaminated?

Many pathogens, such as salmonella and C.perfringens, are found in the intestines of healthy animals. Meat or poultry can become contaminated by coming into contact with a small amount of intestinal contents during the slaughtering process. Some pathogens can be introduced from infected humans who handle or prepare food. Food can also be tainted with a bacteria or virus through the preparation process. For example, if meat is not cooked thoroughly, pathogens can survive and multiply.

To ensure innocent people do not succumb to a foodborne illness, food manufacturers, distributors and preparers must comply with all health codes and regulations. Food manufacturers, distributors, restaurants or retailers who fail to comply with health codes must be held accountable for their actions. At Estey Bomberger, our San Jose foodborne illness attorneys will act quickly to make sure negligent food companies are made to pay for the harm they have caused.

Full and Fair Financial Compensation

To learn if you can receive full and fair compensation for damages associated with a foodborne illness, including medical bills, lost income from missed time at work, loss of household services, and pain and suffering, call a foodborne illness attorney at Estey Bomberger. During a free consultation, we will discuss your ability to file a personal injury claim and how we can help you navigate the claims process.