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When you’re hit with sudden nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, you might wonder: Is this something I ate, or am I coming down with a virus? Distinguishing food poisoning from stomach bug symptoms can be difficult. This is especially true when both conditions come on quickly and make you miserable. But there are important differences, health and, in some cases, legal responsibility. If you mistake a case of food poisoning for a stomach bug, you might miss out on the opportunity to seek compensation for medical bills and related losses you may have incurred.
We at Regan Zambri Long help people across Washington, D.C., and the surrounding region who have suffered serious illness due to contaminated food. Knowing how to identify what you’re dealing with is the first step toward protecting your health—and possibly your rights.
Food poisoning is caused by consuming contaminated food or drink. Harmful bacteria, viruses, or toxins can be present in undercooked meat, unwashed produce, dairy products, or even prepared meals that weren’t handled or stored correctly. Consuming contaminated food or beverages can cause your body to react with various symptoms.
While food poisoning typically refers to illness contracted through contaminated food or beverages, many of the same pathogens can also be transmitted through direct contact with contaminated water or soil. E. coli, norovirus, Salmonella, and Hepatitis A are all documented in waterborne exposure events, including sewage spills, flooding, and recreational water contact. If you became ill after contact with contaminated water, not just contaminated food, you may still have a valid personal injury or toxic tort claim, and the same principles of negligence and liability apply.
Common bacteria and pathogens responsible for foodborne illness include:
Symptoms often begin within hours after eating the contaminated food. However, there are exceptions. Depending on the bacteria, in some cases, it can take days for a person to begin experiencing symptoms.
These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening dehydration or organ damage. In the most severe cases, such as exposure to dangerous strains of E. coli, complications like kidney failure (hemolytic uremic syndrome) may occur. Always seek medical attention if you have any reason to suspect you may be facing health risks related to food poisoning.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 48 million Americans get sick from foodborne illnesses yearly. Of these, roughly 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die annually.
A stomach bug, or viral gastroenteritis, is an infection of the stomach and intestines caused by a virus (most often norovirus or rotavirus). It spreads from person to person or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Although less common, catching a stomach bug through food is also technically possible.
Unlike food poisoning, which comes from a contaminated source, stomach bugs are contagious. You might catch one from touching a door handle, shaking someone’s hand, or using a shared bathroom.
Common symptoms include:
Stomach bug symptoms usually start one to three days after exposure to the virus. Once symptoms begin, they can last anywhere from one to three days. It’s not uncommon for entire households, schools, or daycare centers to share stomach bugs quickly.
When you’re feeling sick to your stomach, it can be hard to tell if you have food poisoning or a stomach bug. Both make you feel terrible and affect your digestive system in similar ways. But there are some differences that can help you figure out what’s going on.
Food poisoning usually hits you quickly, sometimes just a few hours after eating something bad. A stomach bug takes longer to make you feel sick after you’ve been exposed to it. Sometimes food poisoning comes with a fever, but not always. Stomach bugs are more likely to give you a slight fever.
Food poisoning typically doesn’t last very long. Most people feel better within a day. Stomach bugs can make you feel awful for two or three days. The way you feel sick is a bit different, too. With food poisoning, you might throw up and feel nauseous right away. With a stomach bug, you’ll probably have more diarrhea and might feel achy.
One good way to tell the difference is to think about who else is sick. If several people who ate the same food as you are also sick, it’s probably food poisoning. If you’re the only one feeling bad, it might be a stomach virus, especially if you’ve been around other people who were sick.
Most cases of food poisoning and stomach bugs go away on their own. That said, some symptoms indicate that you need medical help immediately. This is especially true for older adults, infants, and people with underlying health conditions.
Call a doctor or go to the ER if you experience:
If you’re in Washington, D.C., or nearby and think your illness may be related to food you ate at a restaurant or store, make a note of what you ate, when, and where. This documentation can help your medical provider—and, if needed, an attorney—identify the source and determine if others may have been affected.
Keeping a detailed record can be very helpful when experiencing food poisoning. The information you track could help with your recovery. In addition, a record could be critical in a personal injury case.
Start by writing down:
Save food receipts, medical records, prescriptions, or test results. These can be important in confirming the source and severity of the illness. If your local health department gets involved or others report similar symptoms, these records may be used in an investigation.
If you’re sure—or strongly suspect—that contaminated food from a restaurant, grocery store, or food delivery service made you sick, there are a few steps you should take:
Restaurants and food manufacturers have a duty to handle food safely. They could be liable if they failed to follow food safety protocols. This includes improper storage, failure to keep surfaces clean, and allowing food to remain at unsafe temperatures.
In severe cases, yes. If you were hospitalized, lost income, or suffered long-term effects from foodborne illness, and the source of the contamination can be identified, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim.
You may file a lawsuit against:
Food poisoning lawsuits can be challenging to handle on your own. The illness must be traced back to a specific food item or establishment. Lab testing, medical records, and health department reports can all help make that connection.
When multiple people are affected, these claims may be handled as class actions or part of a public health investigation.
Many people recover from food poisoning and never think to call a lawyer. But when the outcome is severe, such as kidney damage, hospitalization, or lost work, it’s worth having someone review your case. That’s where the personal injury attorneys at Regan Zambri Long come in.
Our team has decades of experience handling complex cases, including foodborne illness claims. We’ve worked with local and federal investigators, public health officials, and expert witnesses to prove negligence in food safety cases.
Our track record of achieving significant results for clients involved in complex cases speaks for itself. For example, in one noteworthy example, we secured $16 million in a premises liability case, which is relevant in that proving negligence in a premises liability matter can be similar to proving negligence in a case involving foodborne illnesses.
At Regan Zambri Long, we protect public health and hold negligent parties accountable. When you’re sick from contaminated food, you don’t just suffer physically—you deal with stress, confusion, and often a financial burden.
We offer free consultations to anyone who suspects they may have a food poisoning lawsuit. If we take your case, you pay nothing unless we recover your compensation. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims in the D.C. area.
If you or a loved one became seriously ill from contaminated food, especially from a known source such as a restaurant or caterer, don’t wait. Contact our firm today.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.