Hospitalization

Hospitalization from Foodborne Illness Complications

The CDC estimates that there are more than 76 million instances of foodborne illness in the United States each year. As the population grows, so will that number. The vast majority of these foodborne illnesses will be very mild and some will even pass unnoticed by the infected person. Some foodborne illnesses, such as norovirus gastroenteritis and staphylococcal food poisoning, will cause intense sickness but resolve quickly and without complication.

For an estimated 325,000 food poisoning victims, their foodborne illness will turn out to be something much more dangerous.  These people will require hospitalization due to severe symptoms and complications. Most hospitalizations for foodborne illness are the result of severe dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea, and the patient fully recovers with rehydration and medication to help alleviate the symptoms. For a few foodborne illness victims, hospitalization occurs when food poisoning leads to serious complications, like Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), Reactive Arthritis or Sepsis. Many of these complications require intensive treatments for weeks and even months.

Hospitalizations for foodborne complications can be very expensive. Experts estimate that it costs approximately $1 million to treat a Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) victim. The patient typically spends weeks in the hospital, requiring dialysis, plasmapheresis and blood transfusion and these cost estimates do not take into account the long term expenses and emotional costs associated with recovery from a hospitalization due to a Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).

Regardless of the pathogens or toxins involved, a hospitalization from foodborne illness complications can be a traumatic and life changing event; an event that ends tragically for thousands of innocent people every year.

Advocating for Food Safety

The foodborne illness lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault promote food safety through legal advocacy, information outreach and analysis of food poisoning outbreaks. The food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have helped people harmed by contaminated foods or beverages, including clients in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and across the country.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious complications from a foodborne illness, please contact Neblett, Beard & Arsenault for a free evaluation of your case. Contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 or use our online contact form.