There are multiple ways that people can suffer injuries after consuming foods or food products. In many cases, injuries occur because of foodborne illnesses that cause food poisoning. However, people can also suffer serious harm if they have an allergic reaction to certain foods. It may be possible to hold a restaurant, grocery store, or manufacturer of food products liable for these types of injuries if it can be demonstrated that they acted negligently or did not take the proper measures to protect people’s safety. For example, a person may suffer an allergic reaction if they were not informed that a dish or product contained ingredients that could cause them harm, or cross-contamination may occur at a restaurant or grocery store, causing a person to be exposed to a harmful allergen.

Common Food Allergies and Allergic Reactions

While there are many different types of foods that can cause allergic reactions, some food allergies that commonly affect people in the United States include:

  • Milk, which is included in dairy products such as cheese, butter, yogurt, and ice cream
  • Eggs
  • Peanuts and tree nuts, including cashews, pistachios, almonds, walnuts, and pine nuts
  • Fish and shellfish, including shrimp, lobster, crayfish, and scallops
  • Wheat
  • Soy

Food allergies can range from mild to severe, and their effects can vary depending on the amount of a food a person consumes and the way their body reacts to it. Some allergies may cause abdominal pain and cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, while others may cause rashes, hives, and itching on different parts of the body, or a person may become dizzy or lightheaded. In more serious cases, an allergic reaction may cause swelling in the tongue, mouth, or throat, which can affect a person’s ability to breathe, or a person may experience low blood pressure or shortness of breath.

In the most severe cases, an allergic reaction will result in anaphylaxis. This condition will often involve a constriction of the airways that can make it difficult or impossible for a person to receive enough oxygen. A person’s blood pressure may drop suddenly, putting the body into a state of shock, and they may lose consciousness. If this condition is not treated immediately, it can be fatal.

Contact Our Illinois Food Allergy Injury Attorneys

If you or a member of your family have experienced a dangerous allergic reaction after eating food, the attorneys of Newland & Newland, LLP can help you determine who was responsible, and we will work to ensure that you are fully compensated for the harm that was done to you. We will investigate your case to determine whether your injury occurred because you were not fully informed about the allergens in a food or because unsafe practices allowed you to become exposed to a harmful substance. To learn how we can help you receive the financial compensation you deserve, contact our Illinois foodborne illness lawyers at 312-981-0409 and set up a free consultation today.

 

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20355095

https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergy

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-food-allergies

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