You went out to eat. Later, you got sick. Now you’re wondering whether the restaurant is responsible. You may have a claim, but the first question is whether the evidence connects your illness to something the restaurant served.
What to do if you think a restaurant meal made you sick
- Contact a healthcare provider. Tell them when your symptoms started and ask whether testing makes sense. Keep copies of your test results, treatment records, and bills.
- Save the receipt or delivery confirmation. Write down what you ordered, who ate with you, and when you first felt sick. Include what you ate in the week before symptoms started. The meal you suspect may be one of several possible sources.
- Report the illness to your local health department. If other diners got sick, save their messages and contact details. If you still have packaging or leftovers, ask the health department how to handle them safely.
See the CDC’s guidance on suspected food poisoning.
What makes a California food-poisoning claim stronger?
A receipt shows what you bought and when. A lab result can help identify what made you sick. The connection gets stronger when several pieces of evidence point to the same food. For example, if several diners ordered the same dish and later developed similar symptoms, that gives health officials a lead to investigate.
A claim can turn on how the restaurant prepared, stored, or served the food. California also recognizes claims involving the sale of harmful food under an implied warranty. The facts matter, including who sold the food and whether it was a substantial factor in causing the harm. See California Civil Jury Instructions, CACI No. 1233.
If the illness put you in the hospital or kept you out of work, keep your discharge paperwork, medical bills, and records of the time you missed. Those records help show what the illness cost you.
Get Help Now
If you became seriously ill after eating at a California restaurant, call 800-816-1529 for a free consultation or contact our office. I’ve practiced law since 1997. Our firm represents injured people across California, and we take the time to review your medical records and the evidence in your case. We’re not a settlement mill.
Related Links
- California products liability lawyer
- How to protect evidence and avoid common mistakes after an injury
- California personal injury practice areas
This article provides general information. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case depends on its facts and evidence.
About Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez
