New York Food and Waterborne Illness Lawyers
It is estimated that 5,000 people die each year in the Unites States from food borne illnesses. Over 300,000 are hospitalized. News reports of food outbreaks and food recalls in recent years have shed light on this problem, raising people's awareness of food safety. However, the strict regulatory and sanitation codes that food suppliers, grocery stores, restaurants and food vendors must adhere to, are, unfortunately, not always followed. In many cases, proper food processing, handling and storage procedures are ignored; foods are not properly packaged or refrigerated; employees do not wash or sanitize their hands; and meats, poultry, seafood and dairy products are undercooked. Although consumers may not see these unsafe conditions, their consequences are felt in the form of harmful pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites, including:
- Campylobacter
- Cryptosporidium
- E. Coli
- Giardia
- Listeria
- Norovirus
- Salmonella
- Shigella
Recreational Water Illnesses
These harmful pathogens also threaten recreational water facilities such as swimming pools, water parks, spas, lakes and rivers. Improper design, treatment, and operation of water systems can lead to water contamination, whether due to poor supervision of recreational bathers, inadequate filtration and chemical treatment, or the failure to implement proper health safeguards and monitor sanitary conditions.
Symptoms of food and waterborne illness include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping, diarrhea and dehydration. These symptoms may appear within 24 hours or weeks after exposure depending on the nature of the infection. In people with impaired or compromised immune systems, including pregnant women, infants, children and the elderly, severe medical problems may result, such as hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), and, in the worst cases, lead to death.
Protecting Victims of Food and Water Related Illness or Injury
Dreyer Boyajian LLP has a track record of helping victims of food poisoning and waterborne illness. Uncovering safety problems and holding food and water service providers responsible requires the skill and personal attention of an attorney with knowledge of the different disease causing pathogens; experience working with experts in the fields of infectious diseases, epidemiology, microbiology, biochemistry and immunology; and awareness of applicable industry standards of care and governmental health regulations. Our attorneys handle claims on behalf of individuals as well as outbreaks affecting thousands of victims. We have successfully certified numerous outbreak cases as class actions:
Dunn et al. v. Washington County Fair, Inc., et al, NYS Sup. Ct. Saratoga County, 99-3235. Appointed Lead Class Counsel in the successful settlement of a class action involving the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak at the New York State Washington County Fair in August 2000, which at the time was considered to be the largest waterborne E. coli outbreak in the nation's history.
Arroyo et al. v. State, Ct. NYS Court of Claims, No.111361. Presently serving as co-Class Counsel in a class action certified by the New York State Court of Claims against the State of New York on behalf of thousands of persons injured by the 2005 Seneca Lake Spraypark Cryptosporidium outbreak, the largest ever recorded recreational water outbreak of cryptosporidium.
Baker et al v. SF HWP Management LLC et al, NYS Sup. Ct. Washington County, No. 50564. Presently serving as co-Class Counsel in a class action certified on behalf of over six hundred persons reporting illness from the March 2008 norovirus outbreak at the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Waterpark in Queensbury, New York.
Contact Dreyer Boyajian LLP
If you or someone you love has been injured by food poisoning or waterborne illness, contact the law firm of Dreyer Boyajian LLP, here or by calling us at 518-478-2762.
