Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player
Personal injury, youclaim.co.uk

Personal injury claims and compensation may result from E coli infections

The bacterial infection Escherichia coli (commonly referred to as E. coli), made headlines in 2009 as a cause of illness for a number of children who visited public attractions where they could pet farm animals, could be a reason for someone to make a personal injury claim.

Other publicised cases of infection in the UK in recent years have resulted from poor hygiene, mixing cooked and uncooked meat, or under-cooked food being sold by butchers, restaurants and similar food establishments, affecting many unsuspecting people.

The infection is usually found in the intestines of humans and animals. There are many types of E. coli, and, while some live in the intestine quite harmlessly, others may cause a variety of diseases, which could prompt a personal injury compensation claim.

Diarrhoea from the infection settles within seven days without treatment but, occasionally, serious kidney and blood complications can occur, especially in vulnerable sections of the community such as elderly people, those with compromised immune systems and children.

Since the 1980s, cases of the most dangerous O157 strain have been increasing, with illness being reported throughout the UK, the most deadly of which was when 20 people in Scotland died in 1996-7 after eating lunch at a church.

The independent Health Protection Agency HPA) has advice on combating the spread of infection:

  • Avoid eating undercooked meat, in particular inadequately cooked minced beef and avoid drinking unpasteurised milk

  • Individuals working with uncooked meats or on farms should pay close attention to good hygiene practices, as should visitors to farms

  • Always wash hands with soap after going to the toilet and before and after handling food

  • Hand washing in young children should be supervised, especially after handling animals or their surroundings, for instance on a visit to a farm

Although there is no specific treatment for E coli poisoning, doctors are legally obliged to make a report of the infection. Local councils, which oversee food preparation premises, can also take action if there is a threat to public health and the HPA has responsibility for making a national response.

You could make a personal injury compensation claim
If you have suffered as a result of an E.coli infection, you could be in a position to make a no win no fee personal injury compensation claim against the party responsible.

Making a claim for pain, suffering, distress, lost earnings and medical expenses couldn't be simpler. Just contact YouClaim by email or by telephone and we will investigate the background, assess your eligibility to claim and advise you.

Then, providing we take on your claim, we will put you in touch with a professional specialist solicitor with experience in personal injury claims. All your questions will be answered in plain English at each stage of the legal procedure however long it takes.

When YouClaim takes on a personal injury compensation claim case you are given a guarantee that it won't cost you a penny either in solicitors' costs or anything else because it is on a no win no fee basis you will receive 100 per cent of compensation at the end of your personal injury damages case.

To find out if your food poisoning illness could lead to a personal injury claim, contact us online via e-chat or by filling in an online claim form or leave a call back request from our helpful claims team on 0800 10 757 95.