Article by Michael Enfield

Imagine going out with a special someone for a nice steak dinner only to spend the rest of the evening sick and miserable. If this has happened to you, you may have suffered food poisoning. If mild discomfort is the extent of your illness, you probably do not have anything to worry about. But if your symptoms are more substantial and are persistent, you may need to go to the emergency room for treatment, as you may suffer serious injury if left untreated.Food poisoning usually occurs when an individual eats undercooked meat. Meat may carry any number of viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Some of the more common contaminants found in meat are E. coli and salmonella.Though meat is a common source of food poisoning, food borne illnesses are not exclusive to meat. Any food item that is contaminated may make you sick. In recent years, there have been outbreaks of E. coli and salmonella in non-meat food sources like peanut butter and spinach.You may have food poisoning if you are experiencing:* Nausea and vomiting* Diarrhea* Weakness, fatigue, or pains* FeverThese symptoms may be the sign of a more serious condition and should be treated immediately to prevent any long term injuries. Some food poisoning symptoms may take up to a day to manifest, so it is advisable to treat any possibly food-related illness as soon as possible.Should you experience a debilitating bout of food poisoning, you may want to file a personal injury lawsuit against the establishment that served you contaminated food. Many times, minor food poisoning instances are not worth filing a lawsuit, as the legal costs you incur may outweigh any compensation you may receive.Food poisoning may be caused by the negligence of another person, especially when you are served undercooked meat. If you decide do decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, it is important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer to handle your case, as he or she will help you get any financial compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries and losses.Food poisoning is never pleasant, but it can sometimes lead to serious complications. If you or someone you love has suffered food poisoning that led to more serious illness or injury, the Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. may be able to help you. Contact us to learn more.