Foodborne illness and diseases are an enormous problem in the United States, despite our collective obsession with anti-bacterial soaps, our robust food production and distribution networks, and our well-funded medical infrastructure.

Foodborne illnesses can be classified into two types. So called food infections occur when viruses, bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens harm the body harm after being ingested in food. Food-related intoxication, on the other hand, can occur even in the absence of pathogens and can result from, for instance, heavy metal contamination.

Each year, more than 75 million Americans get sick with foodborne illnesses. The consequences can range from mild discomfort to death. On average around 5,000 people die in this country, and more than 320,000 get hospitalized. Bear in mind that these statistics (compiled by the CDC and other food safety organizations) describe “normal” years, when there are no outbreaks or mass contaminations. In the mid ’90s, by contrast, a salmonella outbreak sent an additional 220,000 people to the hospital.

The costs associated are also staggering. Estimates suggest that $30 billion to $35 billion a year are lost to the US economy due to lost work time/productivity and healthcare costs associated with food illnesses.

Here at WashingtonFoodborneIllnessAttorneys.com, we have compiled some resources to help you understand the subject in greater detail. By learning how food recalls work and identifying some common symptoms and causes of foodborne illnesses, you can take more effective steps to improve your health and prevent recurring food safety problems.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of food contamination or a foodborne infection, you may need legal help. Please contact the Bernard Law Group for fast assistance. We are a Martindale-Hubbell AV rated law firm based out of Washington State. We are Eagle Members of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, and we’re affiliated with the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, the King County Bar Association, and the Washington State Bar Association. For more than 20 years, we’ve found unique solutions for our clients. To get a free consultation with a skilled Seattle food poisoning lawyer, email us through our site, or dial 1-800-418-8282.