Can You Hold Restaurants in Rochester, Minnesota, Accountable for Foodborne Illness?

Whether you made reservations at one of your favorite local restaurants or ventured out to try a new food spot, when you go out to eat, you should leave with a full stomach and happy memories made during the meal. However, it is not uncommon for restaurant patrons to leave with more than they bargained for. Foodborne illness in restaurants is more common than one would hope, leaving individuals with sicknesses that may sometimes lead to serious injury and losses. If you have suffered a foodborne illness at a restaurant in Rochester, Minnesota, you have the right to hold the restaurant liable for the losses you have suffered by filing a personal injury claim.

At Knutson + Casey, our Rochester personal injury attorneys have years of experience handling various types of cases, including those involving foodborne illness. It is our goal to ensure that the Minnesota personal injury claims process is as stress-free as possible for our clients as they pursue justice after getting sick from a restaurant in Rochester. We will help you build a strong Rochester restaurant foodborne illness case and help you recover the compensation you may be owed. 

What Is Considered Foodborne Illness?

Foodborne illness, commonly called food poisoning, refers to several different illnesses that are caused by consuming food or drink that has been contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins. Some common ways that foodborne illness occurs in restaurants include the following:

• Failure of restaurant staff to properly wash hands or surfaces
• Cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods
• Inadequate cooking or reheating temperatures leaving food unsafe to consume
• Improper food storage
• Sick employees handling food that is served to patrons of the restaurant
• Cooking with expired or spoiled ingredients

While there are various forms of foodborne illness, some of the most common forms of food poisoning are as follows:

• Botulism
• Campylobacter
• Cyclospora
• E.Coli
• Hepatitis A
• Listeria
• Salmonella

Foodborne illness may lead to a wide range of symptoms, from more minor symptoms like nausea and chills, to more serious symptoms that may become life threatening if not treated. These extreme symptoms can include kidney damage and severe dehydration. Regardless of the severity of your symptoms, if a restaurant’s negligence has led to your illness and subsequent losses, you have the right to pursue justice by filing a personal injury claim.

Proving the Liability of a Rochester Restaurant After Suffering Foodborne Illness

After you have suffered foodborne illness due to the negligence of a restaurant in Rochester, Minnesota, you have the right to pursue justice by filing a personal injury claim. However, in order to ensure your personal injury claim is strong and will allow you to pursue the fair compensation you deserve, your attorney will need to collect evidence that will prove the liability of the restaurant that is responsible for your harm. 

To prove liability in a foodborne illness case, your Rochester attorney will collect evidence of the four factors of negligence. These factors include the following:

• The restaurant owed a duty of care to provide you with safe food and drink
• The duty of care was breached by the restaurant
• The breach of duty led to your foodborne illness
• You suffered losses as a result of the restaurant’s negligence

To ensure you are able to gather this key evidence, your Rochester restaurant foodborne illness attorney should launch a full investigation into the details of your case. When building a strong personal injury claim, your trusted attorney will be able to negotiate for the fair compensation you are owed for your losses like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

Hold Restaurants Accountable for Foodborne Illness with Knutson + Casey

At Knutson + Casey, we understand the distress and inconvenience caused by foodborne illness. Our experienced personal injury attorneys in Rochester are committed to helping you pursue justice and recover compensation. With decades of experience and a track record of successful cases, we offer both the resources of a large firm and the personalized care of a local business. Our team will work diligently to build a strong case, handle all the legal complexities, and ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.

Don’t let a restaurant’s negligence go unaddressed. Contact Knutson + Casey today to discuss your case and explore your legal options. Reach us at (507) 344-8888 or through our contact form. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.