Mrs. López and all of the Staff that had helped us it has been an absolute pleasure. They always had an answer to our questions and treated us with respect but most of all they listened.
Alondra O.
Outstanding Attorneys and Legal Team. Lopez, Justin, and Daisy were quick to answer my questions and handled my accident case with speed and courtesy. The outcome was much better than I anticipated.
Robert R.
A huge thanks to your office for such a great experience with my case. Special thanks to Denora, Carmen, and especially Kevin for answering my many calls and questions and keeping me informed through the entire process. I’m am extremely happy and grateful with the outcome.
Kathy W.
You went out for a meal, grabbed takeout, or trusted what was on your plate. Days later, you’re sick, overwhelmed by symptoms, and wondering what went wrong. If you suspect food poisoning, you’re not alone. In Sebring and throughout Highlands County, dozens of people each year become seriously ill after eating contaminated food. Some recover with rest. Others face hospital stays, significant medical expenses, and long-term consequences, all because of someone else’s negligence.
If you’ve suffered from severe illness tied to food from a restaurant, grocery store, or prepackaged product, you may have grounds to file a food poisoning lawsuit. Knowing where to start, and who can be held liable, is often the first challenge.
What qualifies as a food poisoning claim in Florida
Not every upset stomach means you have a case. But under Florida law, when contaminated food causes serious illness, you may have a valid personal injury claim. Food poisoning cases can involve bacteria like e coli, salmonella, or listeria monocytogenes. Some are linked to raw or undercooked dairy products, unpasteurized milk, deli meats, or spoiled produce. Others result from poor handling, improper food processing, or violations found in health department records.
You don’t need to prove where every bite came from. You need evidence that the illness was caused by contaminated or improperly handled food, and that it led to real harm. That’s where an experienced personal injury lawyer becomes essential, not just to understand your rights, but to gather medical evidence, trace the source, and identify the responsible parties.
How food poisoning impacts your health and your life
Many foodborne illnesses are far more serious than people realize. Some lead to severe complications like dehydration, kidney failure, or neurological issues such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. For pregnant women, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, infections can even result in wrongful death.
You may be facing painful symptoms, missed days of work, and thousands in medical bills. In severe cases, hospitalization and long-term treatment become necessary. Clients often come to us not knowing that legal action is possible, especially when they’ve been too sick to think clearly, or when doctors haven’t identified a specific pathogen right away.
Food poisoning lawsuits in Highlands County
Here in Sebring, our community relies on local restaurants, school cafeterias, and grocery stores to keep food safe. But negligence can happen anywhere, from a fast food chain on US-27 to a family-owned diner downtown. When businesses fail to follow safety standards, fail to properly clean surfaces, or ignore disease control protocols, they put the public at risk. These actions can lead to widespread illness, and in some cases, multiple victims pursue class action lawsuits to hold companies accountable.
Whether your case involves a single incident or part of a larger outbreak, your personal injury attorney can work with the health department, gather your medical records, and investigate the preparation process to uncover where things went wrong. Filing a food poisoning claim may allow you to recover compensation for:
Medical expenses, including emergency room visits and diagnostics
Lost wages from missed work
Emotional distress caused by the trauma and pain of the illness
Long term complications or permanent damage
The legal process doesn’t have to be confusing
If this is your first time considering a personal injury case, you’re not expected to know every step. But delays can hurt your chances. Medical attention should come first, followed closely by documenting symptoms and contacting a legal team. In many food poisoning cases, early signs include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and, in listeria symptoms, even neurological issues.
Your law firm should help you gather evidence, interpret lab results such as a stool sample, and determine whether product liability or strict liability applies. You may also need expert witnesses, records from the food manufacturer, and clarity on whether you can file individually or as part of a larger poisoning lawsuit.
These are not things you should have to do alone. Working with an experienced attorney gives you space to focus on your recovery while they pursue legal action on your behalf.
Talk to López & Humphries, PA for a Sebring food poisoning attorney
If you’ve gotten sick from contaminated food in Sebring or Highlands County, the personal injury lawyers at López & Humphries, PA can help you understand your options and take the first step toward the compensation you deserve. We represent clients on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call us today for a free consultation and let a dedicated food poisoning attorney help you move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Food Poisoning Claims
How do I know if I have a food poisoning lawsuit?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a foodborne illness and your doctor believes it came from something you ate, you may be eligible to file a food poisoning lawsuit. Keep your medical records and contact a personal injury lawyer quickly.
What if I didn’t go to the hospital?
Even if you didn’t seek immediate care, you may still have a case. Many victims deal with symptoms at home before realizing the seriousness. If the illness led to missed work, ongoing treatment, or pain, you may qualify for compensation.
Who can be held responsible for my illness?
Restaurants, food manufacturers, or distributors can all be held liable if their negligence led to contaminated food. Your legal team can help identify every responsible party.
What does a food poisoning case cost to file?
At López & Humphries, PA, we handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. That means there’s no cost to you unless we win. Your initial consultation is also completely free.
Can I file a claim if others got sick from the same place?
Yes. When multiple victims become ill from the same source, it may lead to class action lawsuits or multiple food poisoning claims. These can strengthen your case and support the investigation.
