');--success-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--info-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--chevron-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--checkbox-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--radiobutton-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--show-password-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--hide-password-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--error-svg-icon-color:var(--red-500);--success-svg-icon-color:var(--emerald-700);--info-svg-icon-color:var(--sky-500);--chevron-svg-icon-color:var(--grey-900);--checkbox-svg-icon-color:var(--grey-900);--radiobutton-svg-icon-color:var(--grey-900);--show-password-svg-icon-color:var(--grey-900);--hide-password-svg-icon-color:var(--grey-900);--bde-woo-notices__icon-size:16px;--bde-woo-notices__padding:24px;--bde-woo-notices__border-radius:4px;--bde-woo-notices__error-background:var(--red-50);--bde-woo-notices__error-text:var(--red-500);--bde-woo-notices__error-link-text:var(--red-500);--bde-woo-notices__error-link-text-hover:var(--red-500);--bde-woo-notices__info-background:var(--sky-100);--bde-woo-notices__info-text:var(--sky-500);--bde-woo-notices__info-link-text:var(--sky-500);--bde-woo-notices__info-link-text-hover:var(--sky-500);--bde-woo-notices__success-background:var(--emerald-100);--bde-woo-notices__success-text:var(--emerald-700);--bde-woo-notices__success-link-text:var(--emerald-700);--bde-woo-notices__success-link-text-hover:var(--emerald-700);--bde-woo-sale-badge__border-radius:2px;--bde-woo-sale-badge__padding:4px 8px;--bde-woo-ratings__star-color:var(--yellow-500);--bde-woo-ratings__star-size:18px;--bde-woo-ratings__filled-star-svg:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--bde-woo-ratings__empty-star-svg:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--bde-woo-product-images__border-radius:4px;--bde-woo-product-images__border-width:0px;--bde-woo-product-images__border-color:var(--grey-300);--bde-woo-wrappers__background-color:var(--white);--bde-woo-wrappers__border-radius:4px;--bde-woo-wrappers__border-color:var(--grey-300);--bde-woo-wrappers__border-width:1px;--bde-woo-wrappers__shadow:rgba(0,0,0,.05) 0 1px 3px,rgba(0,0,0,.05) 0 1px 2px;--bde-woo-tables__header-color:var(--grey-100);--bde-woo-tables__background-color:var(--white);--bde-woo-tables__border-radius:4px;--bde-woo-tables__border-width:1px;--bde-woo-widgets__chip-background-color:transparent;--bde-woo-widgets__chip-background-color-hover:var(--indigo-50);--bde-woo-widgets__chip-text-color:inherit;--bde-woo-widgets__handle-border-color:var(--grey-300);--bde-woo-widgets__handle-background-color:var(--white);--bde-woo-widgets__handle-background-color-hover:var(--white);--bde-woo-widgets__handle-shadow:rgba(0,0,0,.05) 0 1px 3px,rgba(0,0,0,.05) 0 1px 2px;--bde-woo-widgets__handle-shadow-hover:var(--grey-300) 0 0 4px;--bde-woo-widgets__remove-item-from-cart-color:var(--grey-450);--bde-woo-select2__active-item-background-color:var(--indigo-50);--bde-woo-gallery__zoom-icon-shadow:rgba(0,0,0,.05) 0 1px 3px,rgba(0,0,0,.05) 0 1px 2px;--bde-woo-payment-box-background-color:var(--grey-100);--bde-woo-payment-box-border-color:var(--grey-200);--bde-woo-payment-box-border-width:1px;--bde-woo-quicklook-button-icon:url(/wp-content/uploads/breakdance/css/icons/eye.svg);--bde-woo-quicklook-button-background-color:none;--bde-woo-quicklook-button-icon-size:20px;--bde-woo-quicklook-button-backdrop-color:rgba(0,0,0,.15);--bde-woo-quicklook-button-backdrop-opacity:.7;--bde-woo-quicklook-modal-background-color:var(--white);--bde-woo-quicklook-overlay-color:rgba(0,0,0,.7);--bde-woo-quicklook-close-button-size:2em;--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-size:1em;--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-color:var(--white);--bde-woo-swatch-space-between-options:10px;--bde-woo-swatch-padding:7px;--bde-woo-swatch-color-width:30px;--bde-woo-swatch-color-height:30px;--bde-woo-swatch-border:1px solid var(--grey-200);--bde-woo-swatch-border-color-hover:var(--grey-400);--bde-woo-swatch-shadow:none;--bde-woo-swatch-shadow-hover:none;--bde-woo-swatch-background:var(--white);--bde-woo-swatch-background-hover:var(--grey-50);--bde-woo-swatch-color-padding:2px;--bde-woo-swatch-tooltip-color:var(--white);--bde-woo-swatch-tooltip-background:var(--grey-900);--bde-woo-swatch-tooltip-padding:7px;--bde-woo-swatch-space-after-label:8px;--bde-woo-responsive__stack:row}:root{--bde-links-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-links-color-hover:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-button-primary-background-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-button-primary-background-color-hover:var(--bde-brand-primary-color-hover);--bde-button-secondary-border-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-button-secondary-border-color-hover:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-button-secondary-text-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-button-secondary-background-color-hover:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-button-text-text-color:var(--bde-links-color);--bde-button-text-text-color-hover:var(--bde-links-color-hover);--bde-button-font-size:var(--bde-body-font-size);--bde-form-font-size:var(--bde-body-font-size);--bde-form-input-border-top-left-radius:var(--bde-form-input-border-radius);--bde-form-input-border-top-right-radius:var(--bde-form-input-border-radius);--bde-form-input-border-bottom-left-radius:var(--bde-form-input-border-radius);--bde-form-input-border-bottom-right-radius:var(--bde-form-input-border-radius);--bde-form-input-border-top:var(--bde-form-input-border-width) solid var(--bde-form-input-border-color);--bde-form-input-border-right:var(--bde-form-input-border-width) solid var(--bde-form-input-border-color);--bde-form-input-border-bottom:var(--bde-form-input-border-width) solid var(--bde-form-input-border-color);--bde-form-input-border-left:var(--bde-form-input-border-width) solid var(--bde-form-input-border-color);--bde-form-label-color:var(--bde-headings-color);--bde-form-input-focused-border-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-form-input-focused-shadow:var(--bde-brand-primary-color) 0 0 2px;--bde-form-checkbox-selected-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-z-index-lightbox:1100;--bde-z-index-popup:1050;--bde-z-index-modal:1000;--bde-z-index-modal-backdrop:calc(var(--bde-z-index-modal) - 1);--bde-z-index-high:300;--bde-z-index-medium:200;--bde-z-index-low:100;--bde-z-index-sticky:10;--bde-z-index-minicart:var(--bde-z-index-modal);--bde-z-index-minicart-backdrop:var(--bde-z-index-modal-backdrop);--bde-z-index-menu-dropdown:var(--bde-z-index-modal);--bde-z-index-menu-mobile:var(--bde-z-index-modal);--bde-z-index-menu-backdrop:var(--bde-z-index-modal-backdrop);--bde-z-index-search-fullscreen:var(--bde-z-index-modal);--bde-z-index-back-to-top:var(--bde-z-index-high);--bde-z-index-scroll-progress:var(--bde-z-index-high);--bde-z-index-header-sticky:var(--bde-z-index-medium);--bde-z-index-header-overlay:calc(var(--bde-z-index-header-sticky) - 1);--bde-z-index-social-share-buttons:var(--bde-z-index-low);--bde-woo-base-text-color:var(--bde-body-text-color);--bde-woo-base-headings-color:var(--bde-headings-color);--bde-woo-base-primary-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-woo-base-primary-color-hover:var(--bde-brand-primary-color-hover);--bde-woo-base-extra-small-gaps:calc(var(--bde-woo-base-small-gaps)/var(--bde-woo-base-ratio));--bde-woo-base-small-gaps:calc(var(--bde-woo-base-space)/var(--bde-woo-base-ratio));--bde-woo-base-standard-gaps:var(--bde-woo-base-space);--bde-woo-base-medium-gaps:calc(var(--bde-woo-base-space)*var(--bde-woo-base-ratio));--bde-woo-base-big-gaps:calc(var(--bde-woo-base-medium-gaps)*var(--bde-woo-base-ratio));--bde-woo-base-large-gaps:calc(var(--bde-woo-base-big-gaps)*var(--bde-woo-base-ratio));--bde-woo-base-extra-large-gaps:calc(var(--bde-woo-base-large-gaps)*var(--bde-woo-base-ratio));--bde-woo-typography-ratio:var(--bde-font-size-ratio);--bde-woo-typography__size-small:calc(var(--bde-woo-typography__size-standard)/var(--bde-woo-typography-ratio));--bde-woo-typography__size-small-font-family:var(--bde-body-font-family);--bde-woo-typography__size-standard:var(--bde-body-font-size);--bde-woo-typography__size-standard-font-family:var(--bde-body-font-family);--bde-woo-typography__size-medium:calc(var(--bde-woo-typography__size-standard)*var(--bde-woo-typography-ratio));--bde-woo-typography__size-medium-font-family:var(--bde-heading-font-family);--bde-woo-typography__size-large:calc(var(--bde-woo-typography__size-medium)*var(--bde-woo-typography-ratio));--bde-woo-typography__size-large-font-family:var(--bde-heading-font-family);--bde-woo-typography__size-extra-large:calc(var(--bde-woo-typography__size-large)*var(--bde-woo-typography-ratio));--bde-woo-typography__size-extra-large-font-family:var(--bde-heading-font-family);--bde-woo-buttons-and-links__text-link-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-woo-buttons-and-links__text-link-color-hover:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-woo-buttons-and-links__nav-link-color:var(--bde-woo-base-text-color);--bde-woo-buttons-and-links__nav-link-color-hover:var(--bde-woo-base-text-on-primary-color);--bde-woo-buttons-and-links__nav-link-color-active:var(--bde-woo-base-primary-color);--bde-woo-forms__spacing-after-label:var(--bde-form-after-label);--bde-woo-forms__spacing-between-fields:var(--bde-form-gap);--bde-woo-forms__spacing-between-columns:var(--bde-woo-base-extra-large-gaps);--bde-woo-forms__labels-color:var(--bde-form-label-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-background-color:var(--bde-form-input-background-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-text-color:var(--bde-form-text-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-placeholder-color:var(--bde-form-input-placeholder-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-border-color:var(--bde-form-input-border-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-border-width:var(--bde-form-input-border-width);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-border-radius:var(--bde-form-input-border-top-left-radius) var(--bde-form-input-border-top-right-radius) var(--bde-form-input-border-bottom-right-radius) var(--bde-form-input-border-bottom-left-radius);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-background-color-focused:var(--bde-form-input-focused-background-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-border-color-focused:var(--bde-form-input-focused-border-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-shadow-focused:var(--bde-form-input-focused-shadow);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-shadow:var(--bde-form-input-input-shadow);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-select2-hover-item:var(--bde-woo-base-primary-color);--bde-woo-forms__labels-required-color:var(--bde-form-label-required-color);--bde-woo-forms__labels-required-size:var(--bde-form-label-required-size);--bde-woo-forms__labels-required-nudge-x:var(--bde-form-label-required-nudge-x);--bde-woo-forms__labels-required-nudge-y:var(--bde-form-label-required-nudge-y);--bde-woo-tables__border-color:var(--bde-woo-base-border-color);--bde-woo-sale-badge__background-color:var(--bde-woo-base-primary-color);--bde-woo-sale-badge__text-color:var(--bde-woo-base-text-on-primary-color);--bde-woo-sale-badge__font-weight:var(--bde-woo-typography-font-weight-heavy);--bde-woo-sale-badge__font-size:var(--bde-woo-typography__size-standard);--bde-woo-widgets__chip-text-color-hover:var(--bde-woo-buttons-and-links__text-link-color);--bde-woo-widgets__handle-border-color-hover:var(--bde-woo-base-primary-color);--bde-woo-notices__padding-left:calc(var(--bde-woo-notices__padding) + var(--bde-woo-notices__icon-size) + (var(--bde-woo-notices__icon-size)/2));--bde-woo-quicklook-button-text-color:var(--bde-button-primary-text-color);--bde-woo-quicklook-button-background-color-hover:var(--bde-woo-quicklook-button-background-color);--bde-woo-quicklook-button-icon-spacing:var(--bde-woo-base-standard-gaps);--bde-woo-quicklook-close-button-color:var(--bde-woo-base-headings-color);--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-color-hover:var(--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-color);--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-background-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-background-color-hover:var(--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-background-color);--bde-woo-swatch-space-between-items:var(--bde-woo-base-medium-gaps);--bde-woo-swatch-background-selected:var(--bde-woo-swatch-background-hover);--bde-woo-swatch-border-color-selected:var(--bde-woo-swatch-border-color-hover);--bde-woo-swatch-shadow-selected:var(--bde-woo-swatch-shadow-hover);--bde-woo-swatch-color-background:var(--bde-woo-swatch-background)}:root{--bde-base-font-size:18px}.breakdance *,.breakdance *:before,.breakdance *:after{box-sizing:border-box}.breakdance img{max-width:100%;height:auto}.breakdance figure{width:100%;margin-left:0;margin-right:0}.breakdance-rich-text-styles>*:first-child{margin-top:0}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);-webkit-clip-path:inset(50%);clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:normal!important;word-wrap:normal!important;padding:0;position:absolute!important;width:1px}.breakdance{background-color:var(--bde-background-color);color:var(--bde-body-text-color)}.breakdance h1{color:var(--bde-headings-color)}.breakdance a{color:var(--bde-links-color)}.breakdance{font-family:var(--bde-body-font-family);font-size:var(--bde-body-font-size)}.breakdance h1{font-family:var(--bde-heading-font-family)}.breakdance h1{font-size:var(--bde-h1-font-size)}.breakdance{color:#333;line-height:1.5}.breakdance .bde-section-158-115{background-color:#5b71c9}.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116{--columnCount:2}@media (max-width:1119px){.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116{--columnCount:2}.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116.bde-columns{flex-direction:column;flex-wrap:nowrap}.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116.bde-columns>.bde-column{width:100%}}@media (max-width:1023px){.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116{--columnCount:2}}@media (max-width:767px){.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116{--columnCount:2}}@media (max-width:479px){.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116{--columnCount:2}}.breakdance .bde-column-158-117{--column-width:37.96%}.breakdance .bde-image-158-119 .breakdance-image-container{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px}.breakdance .bde-image-158-119 .breakdance-image-clip{border-top:4px solid #fff;border-bottom:4px solid #fff;border-left:4px solid #fff;border-right:4px solid #fff;border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px}.breakdance .bde-column-158-118{--column-width:62.04%;align-items:center;text-align:center;justify-content:center}.breakdance .bde-heading-158-101{color:#fff}.breakdance .bde-section-158-106 .section-container{padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0}.breakdance .bde-rich-text-158-107{margin-top:59px}.breakdance .bde-section-124-100{background-color:#fff}.breakdance .bde-section-124-100 .section-container{padding-bottom:10px;padding-top:10px}.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101{--columnCount:3}@media (max-width:1119px){.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101{--columnCount:3}.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101.bde-columns{flex-direction:column;flex-wrap:nowrap}.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101.bde-columns>.bde-column{width:100%}}@media (max-width:1023px){.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101{--columnCount:3}}@media (max-width:767px){.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101{--columnCount:3}}@media (max-width:479px){.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101{--columnCount:3}}.breakdance .bde-column-124-102{--column-width:10.18%}@media (max-width:1119px){.breakdance .bde-column-124-102{align-items:center;text-align:center}}@media (max-width:1023px){.breakdance .bde-column-124-102{align-items:center;text-align:center}}@media (max-width:767px){.breakdance .bde-column-124-102{align-items:center;text-align:center}}@media (max-width:479px){.breakdance .bde-column-124-102{align-items:center;text-align:center}}.breakdance .bde-image-124-105{width:100px}.breakdance .bde-image-124-105 .breakdance-image-object{width:100%;height:auto}.breakdance .bde-column-124-103{--column-width:80.33%;align-items:center;text-align:center;justify-content:center}@media (min-width:768px){.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu{--link-effect-color:#5b71c9;--link-effect-color-hover:#5b71c9}.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu-link{font-family:"Poppins",sans-serif;font-size:18px}}@media (max-width:767px){.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu{--links-gap:0;--dropdown-link-icon-display:none;--dropdown-link-description-display:none;--dropdown-links-gap:var(--gap-none)}.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu-list{align-items:stretch;background-color:var(--menu-background);display:none;flex-direction:column;left:var(--mobile-offset-x);max-height:var(--menu-max-height);overflow-y:auto;position:absolute;top:var(--mobile-offset-y,100%);width:100vw;z-index:var(--bde-z-index-menu-mobile)}.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu-list>:last-child{border-bottom:var(--link-border)}.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu .breakdance-menu-link{border-top:var(--link-border);outline-offset:-1px;padding:var(--mobile-link-padding-top) var(--mobile-link-padding-right) var(--mobile-link-padding-bottom) var(--mobile-link-padding-left)}.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu-toggle{display:flex}}.breakdance .bde-column-124-104{--column-width:9.49%;align-items:center;text-align:center;justify-content:center}.breakdance .bde-search-form-124-107 .search-form__button--full-screen{font-size:20px;background-color:#5b71c9;color:#fff;border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px}
When you visit your local grocery store, you expect to bring home fresh, safe food for yourself and your loved ones. However, there are times when food purchased can lead to unexpected illnesses, such as food poisoning. If you find yourself or a family member in such a distressing situation, you might wonder if you have the legal right to sue the grocery store for the harm caused.
The short answer is yes, it is possible to sue a grocery store for food poisoning. But it’s crucial to understand the nuances of such legal action. Let’s delve into what food poisoning is, the circumstances under which you might have a case, and the steps you need to take should you decide to pursue legal action.
Food poisoning, also known as foodborne illness, occurs when you consume contaminated food. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year 48 million people get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases in the United States alone. Contamination can be due to various pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, or from toxins and chemicals. (CDC food poisoning data: Foodborne Germs and Illnesses)
According to Cheng at The Tong Law Firm, To sue a grocery store for food poisoning, you must demonstrate that the store was at fault for selling contaminated food that caused illness. This can involve proving:
For a successful lawsuit, you’ll need to establish a clear link between the food you consumed from the grocery store and your illness. This involves:
Should you decide to file a lawsuit, the process typically involves:
While it is indeed possible to sue a grocery store for food poisoning, it requires a solid base of evidence and legal expertise. If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s important to act swiftly, document everything, and consult with a legal professional. Remember, food safety is a serious matter, and you have the right to seek justice if you’ve been wronged. Be informed, be prepared, and take the necessary steps to protect your rights.