3 types of food-related illnesses: Were you a victim?

No one should serve you tainted food that causes you to get sick. Furthermore, no one should manufacture or sell tainted food products that make you sick. Nevertheless, this happens all of the time. Whether it's a restaurant, a food seller or a food manufacturer that is to blame for the food product that made you sick, this party could be financially liable if your food-related sickness results in serious injuries.

If you get seriously ill with a food-related health condition, make sure you get to the bottom of what caused it - and if you find that another party is to blame - don't hesitate to hold this party liable in court.

Here are three types of food-related illnesses you might want to look out for:

E. Coli

Escherichia coli is a strain of bacteria found in digestive systems of healthy humans and livestock. Usually this bacteria stays contained within the human or animal, but it can come out through fecal matter. It can also contaminate meat if there are problems during the slaughtering process.

Sometimes, E. coli is found in raw milk and other raw dairy products. Or fruit and vegetables might be contaminated with it. The primary way people get sick from E. coli happens after people eat raw or undercooked vegetables and meat. The illness could also happen as a result of person-to-person contact.

Listeria

Listeria monocytogenes is another bacteria that can affect the safety of food. It causes an infection that doctors call listeriosis. It's mostly found in adults who have weak immune systems, children and pregnant women. This bacteria is commonly found in water and soil. It might also be found in a healthy farm animal. Undercooked and raw meats and vegetables are the most frequent way that people contract a listeria infection. This bacterial could also contaminate packages of foods and processed foods.

Norovirus

Finally, we have norovirus which causes a stomach illness that we normally refer to as "stomach flu." Norovirus generically refers to a group of highly contagious food-born illnesses that can be found in vomit or stool of an affected person. A norovirus infection is fairly common and it's not fatal. Infected persons who don't wash their hands can transfer this illness to others - especially if they're handling food.

If you suspect that you or a family member contracted a food-related illness because of a restaurant or food manufacturer's negligence, learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue financial compensation.