In most premises liability lawsuits, injuries are due to uneven sidewalks, poor lighting, untended icy sidewalks or things such as dog bites or negligent security. However, given how more than half of our food dollars are spent on meals prepared outside the home, the work of a Philadelphia premises liability lawyer is sometimes targeted at restaurants for incidents of food poisoning.

How might a Philadelphia slip and fall attorney have the necessary skills to also work on foodborne illnesses? In both situations, the fault lies with the premises operator. A standard of safety is to be expected and the operator falls short when it is not.

Laws in Pennsylvania pertaining to food hygiene are clear ― the safety and health of the public is a first priority and requirement. If a restaurant is responsible for an illness and knew it could have taken measures to prevent it, they can be liable for all damages suffered by ill diners. Such illnesses can be deadly ― the Centers for Disease Control finds that 31 known pathogens (such as salmonella and e.coli) caused the following nationwide last year:

• 9.4 million illnesses
• Almost 56,000 hospitalizations
• 1,351 deaths

In the most egregious situations, the manager or owner of the restaurant knows that a worker is ill and yet allows the worker to finish the shift. When that manager or owner fails to send the worker home, or is guilty of any other overt negligence, patrons who fall sick and require serious medical attention are due compensation for serious health consequences. Speak with an attorney from [ln::firm_name]., based in Philadelphia, where our experience with premises liability includes slips and falls as well as food poisoning. The firm also has offices in Media, Pennsylvania and Westmont, New Jersey.