Food Poisoning / Foodborne Illnesses
Foodborne illness is a very common, and usually completely preventable, occurrence in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 76 million people suffer from food poisoning each year in the United States. Of that number, 325,000 are hospitalized and more than 5,000 die. In addition to this human injury, foodborne illness is costly. Some experts believe that food poisoning costs $5-6 billion dollars in direct medical expenses and lost productivity each year.
The food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have spent the past 25 years representing injured victims across the state. Our lawyers have represented thousands of personal injury victims including people sickened by contaminated food, and we understand the serious complications that can result. If you or a loved one has become ill or injured from a foodborne illness, contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request. We have helped foodborne illness victims from Alexandria, Baton Rouge and across the state of Louisiana.
Click here to read the article Foodborne Illness Litigation: Critical Questions by J.R. Whaley and Richard J. Arsenault.
Causes of Foodborne Illness

Foodborne illnesses are usually caused by eating food or drinking beverages that have been contaminated with bacteria, parasites or viruses. Many bacteria are present on products when they are purchased or first prepared. For instance, boneless chicken breasts and ground meat were obviously once part of live animals – and if they were not properly slaughtered and cleaned, some bacteria may remain. Seafood, eggs, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, sprouts, as well as vegetables and fruits, can also harbor harmful bacteria. Even clean food can become contaminated when handled with contaminated food or by food handlers with poor personal hygiene.
Symptoms of Foodborne Illness
Symptoms of foodborne illness range from an upset stomach to diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps and dehydration. More serious complications can occur, however, including organ damage or failure, and even temporary paralysis.
Foodborne infections often go undiagnosed and unreported. When they are properly diagnosed, recently eaten food items are examined and laboratory tests may be conducted including review of stool samples. Treatment for mild cases of food poisoning includes antibiotics and increasing fluid intake. However, antibiotics do not work on all types of food poisoning, and when complications such as severe dehydration arise, hospitalization may be required.
Most cases of foodborne illnesses can be prevented. Proper cooking and processing of food kills bacteria and prevents the transmission of bacteria. However, if the staff at a restaurant or other food service facility fails to observe food safety guidelines for cooking, infections can occur. Food workers can also cause contamination through failure to wash hands after using the bathroom. Other preventable instances occur when produce and other raw food items are grown or handled near contaminants, such as tainted water or soil.
If you have become seriously ill from contaminated food, contact the law firm of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault. We have represented thousands of personal injury victims including food poisoning victims in both personal and class action litigation, and we’re ready to help you. We’ll review your situation free of charge and advise you of your legal options. Results are how we measure success – we’ve built a strong reputation both in and out of the courtroom, and we’ll put our experience and expertise to work on your behalf.
Read all about disease causing pathogens, specific foodborne illness and recent outbreaks on our website, http://www.myfoodadvocate.com.
Food Poisoning Attorneys
If you have been sickened by a foodborne illness, take the first step to protect your legal rights – contact the Louisiana food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault. You only have a limited time after your injury to file a claim, however, so you must act quickly. Call 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request. We represent victims across the state of Louisiana including Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
- Injuries
- Accidents
- Offshore / Maritime
- Dangerous Drugs & Products
- Food Poisoning
- Nursing Home Neglect
Personal injury is a legal term that describes a serious injury suffered by one person that is caused by the negligence or wrongful actions of another. Negligence or wrongful conduct can happen in the form of a car accident, medical malpractice, maritime accidents, or dangerous products.
Whether you were hurt in a car wreck, on an oil rig or suffered harm from a prescription drug, your first priority is medical treatment – but you may be confused about your next steps. If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt, an experienced personal injury attorney can be a vital resource for providing knowledgeable, no-nonsense advice about your legal options. The personal injury attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have been helping injury victims for more than two decades – and we’re ready to work for you. Contact us today at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request.
Learn More
Vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of personal injury in Louisiana. In 2008, there were thousands of car accidents, including 827 fatal traffic collisions – causing the death of 920 people. Considering that most of us must use a vehicle to travel to our jobs, our schools, stores and home, we are all at risk for becoming involved in a vehicle accident at some point in our lives.
The vehicle accident attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have devoted the past 25 years to representing injury victims in Alexandria, Baton Rouge and across the state of Louisiana. We know that even the slightest mistake can quickly turn into a tragic accident – and if you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence on the roads, you have the right to file for financial compensation. Contact us at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request for a free evaluation of your claim.
Learn More
Maritime law is the area of our legal system that covers incidents that occur on the water. Maritime law encompasses individuals who are injured on a boat as a member of the crew or a passenger. It also covers longshoremen, offshore oil field workers and many other individuals injured on a boat, rig or dock.
The Maritime Law attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have been providing knowledge and experience to law firms across the country in the area of maritime law for more than a quarter of a century. If you or a loved one has been hurt while working in a maritime profession, contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request.
Learn More
Dangerous drugs and dangerous medical products can often do more harm than the disease or condition they are treating. Despite FDA regulations, many products slip by with unknown and harmful side effects that could be caused by a flaw in design or production. Sometimes these side effects are known by the company, but the product is pushed through in order to avoid delays and make profit.
If you have been hurt by a prescription drug or other pharmaceutical product, the best thing that you can do for yourself and other patients is to come forward. The pharmaceutical litigation lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault of Louisiana know how to deal with the big drug companies and we work hard to help ensure that the injured receive justice. Contact us today at 1-800-256-1050 or submit an online request. We handle pharmaceutical litigation claims across the state of Louisiana including Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
Learn More
Foodborne illnesses are highly preventable, yet they are very common in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 325,000 people are hospitalized due to food poisoning and more than 5,000 die. Poor preparation and improper handling of food can expose thousands of people to dangerous diseases such as botulism, campylobacterioses, e.coli, listeria and salmonella.
If you or someone you love has become seriously ill due to contaminated food, contact the Louisiana food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault today. We have represented thousands of personal injury victims including victims of food poisoning. Call 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request. We represent victims across the state of Louisiana including Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
Learn More
It is a difficult and emotional decision to place a mother, father or grandparent in a nursing home. When you do, you expect that your loved ones will experience the highest level of care possible. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. No matter how carefully you choose and investigate a nursing home facility, nursing home neglect, abuse and mistreatment do occur.
The nursing home negligence attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have spent the past 25 years representing injury victims across the state. Our lawyers have represented thousands of people suffering from nursing home negligence, and we understand the serious complications that can result. If your loved one has experienced nursing home negligence, contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 today or submit an online request. We handle nursing home neglect cases from Alexandria, Baton Rouge and across Louisiana.
Learn More





