When we purchase a meal in a restaurant or buy food to bring home to our families, we naturally expect these items to be the healthy, nutritious, and delicious foods that we carefully choose. When the food item, however, contains something that is not supposed to be in it, which is considered a foreign object, it can prove quite dangerous. If you or someone you care about has been harmed by a foreign object in your food, discuss your concerns with an experienced South Florida foreign object in food injury attorney.

Injuries Caused by a Foreign Object in Food

While the injuries you suffer as a result of a foreign object in food will be unique to your experience, the most common problems include:

  • Choking on the foreign object
  • Cuts and abrasions to the mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Broken or chipped teeth or damaged dental work
  • Damage to the digestive system
  • Foodborne illnesses, such as E-coli
  • Injuries to the jaw, such as TMJ
  • Allergic reactions to the foreign substance itself

Liability

The restaurant that served you the tainted food, the store that sold you the tainted food, or the manufacturer that produced the tainted food can bear liability for the losses – or legal damages – you experience as a result of a foreign object in your food. Such losses can include all the following:

  • Your medical bills, which will be more extensive if you experience complications
  • Your lost earnings as they relate to lost hours on the job
  • Your pain and suffering

Injured by Foreign Objects in Your Food? Call Our South Florida Injury Lawyers Today

If you have been hurt by foreign objects in food, you should retain legal counsel today. Our experienced team will review your case at no cost to you and determine whether you have a claim. In addition, we will only collect legal fees if we settle your case or obtain a favorable judgment at trial. Call our office today to schedule a free case evaluation.

Anyone who discovers a foreign object in food and suffers an injury should take steps to preserve as much evidence as possible. The food, the object, the packaging, the container, and the receipt should be kept whenever available. Photographs of the food, the object, and any visible injuries can also be extremely important. Medical treatment should be obtained promptly if there is pain, bleeding, choking, difficulty swallowing, or any other physical symptom. In these cases, early documentation often plays a major role in establishing both how the incident occurred and the extent of the injuries that followed.

Liability in a foreign object in food case depends on where the problem began and which party had control over the product before it reached the consumer. Depending on the facts, responsibility may rest with the restaurant that prepared or served the food, the manufacturer that produced it, the distributor that handled it, or the retailer that sold it. In some cases, more than one party may be legally responsible. Determining liability usually requires a careful review of the food’s preparation, packaging, handling, and chain of distribution.

A foreign object in food case may be worth pursuing when the incident results in a documented injury and identifiable damages. These cases can involve broken or chipped teeth, cuts to the mouth or throat, choking, damage to dental work, internal injury, infection, or other medical complications. Even injuries that seem minor at first can lead to significant pain, treatment, and expense. The strength of the claim often depends on the severity of the injury, the medical or dental care required, and the available evidence linking the injury to the food product.

An injured person may be entitled to recover compensation for the losses caused by a foreign object in food. Depending on the circumstances, that may include medical expenses, dental expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In more serious cases, future treatment costs may also be recoverable when ongoing care is reasonably necessary. The value of the claim generally depends on the nature of the injury, the extent of the treatment, the impact on daily life, and the strength of the evidence establishing liability and damages.