Call Today   |   888.828.7087

Food Poisoning Lawyers

Your food should be safe. We’re here when it isn’t.
ANALYZE
+
RESEARCH
RESULTS

Our Promise

From farm to fork, OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers is committed to protecting public health.

Our Promise

You put faith in where your family’s food comes from. When that trust is violated, you and your family are left to suffer.

We can help.

OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers was built to get the answers you need. We also get you the results you deserve. We have recovered millions for our clients.

Our food poisoning lawyers are renowned within the food safety industry. We have the food poisoning litigation experience to get results fast. We handle food injury cases nationwide and are ready to put our knowledge, experience, and resources behind your case.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

About the FirmGet in touch

US News Best Lawyers award badge
Super Lawyers Rising Star award badge
Attorneys of the Year award badge

Our Attorneys

The Difference is Our Team

Ryan Osterholm

ryan@oftlaw.com

I have been a foodborne illness attorney my entire career. There may not be another attorney in America that can say that. It is all I’ve ever done. It is all I know. I know it well.

I am passionate about food safety. If your foodborne illness can possibly be linked to a source, I will find it. I take pride in leaving no stone unturned. I pursue every legal avenue possible to get you justice.

The most rewarding part of my job is connecting with my clients. When you hire OFT we will be working together to get the best possible outcome. Every case is personal to me. You will be able to contact me at all hours of the day via email, text, or phone with any questions or concerns you have. We work for you. Never forget that.

Read Ryan’s Bio

Ryan Osterholm

Brendan Flaherty

brendan@oftlaw.com

I put my clients first by listening and learning about their lives. I commit to the client’s case and build trust. For me, this trust is the bedrock for effective communication and representation.

When a person trusts me at a time when they are at their most vulnerable – physically, financially, and emotionally. They deserve absolute honesty from their lawyer. I am committed to complete honesty with my clients.

Great lawyers have a passion for their client’s cause that goes beyond mere work.  To reach that level, we must forge meaningful relationships with our clients and their families. It takes commitment, time, and heart. The result is a passion in advocacy that will resonate with juries and judges. Insurance companies and large corporations fight with teams of lawyers and well-paid experts. Yet they can never match the passion of a great trial attorney.

Read Brendan’s Bio

Brendan Flaherty

Bart Torvik

bart@oftlaw.com

I have worked for a big corporate-focused firm and represented all sorts of companies in all sorts of litigation.  What truly drives me, however, is working for regular people. I relish the chance to go toe-to-toe with big corporations and high-priced lawyers. What I’ve learned is the quality of legal work is not driven by pedigree, but rather passion for a cause.

At OFT, I use my diverse legal background to help analyze complex legal and scientific issues. I take pride in offering careful strategic counsel to my clients. I will gladly fight for what is right for my clients.

Read Bart’s Bio

Bart Torvik

Lindsay Lien Rinholen

lindsay@oftlaw.com

I became a lawyer to help people. Growing up in a rural Wisconsin town, I didn’t know any lawyers, but I have always felt the drive to fight for the “little guy” against a system designed to take advantage of those without resources. At OFT, I get to fight for people that can’t fight for themselves. I am part of an incredible team. Food and insurance companies too often fail to take responsibility for what happened. Our team has a track record of making sure they have to do the right thing. Let us help you. Read Lindsay's Bio
Lindsay Rinholen
1MILLION

Our Practice Areas

Foodborne Illness & Safety

The CDC estimates that 48 million cases of foodborne illnesses and food poisoning occur in the U.S. every year.

Thousands of those who become ill require hospitalization. There are roughly 3,000 fatalities annually due to unsafe food.

How do I know if I have food poisoning?

Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Bagged Salad from Walmart, ALDI, Hy-Vee, Jewel-OSCO, and Fresh Express, Inc.

pathogen culture in a petri dish

A pathogen is a bacterial, viral, or other infectious agent that causes disease. When a pathogen, toxic substance, or unsafe practice encounters your food supply, it can wreak havoc on your system, causing incredible illness.

The sources of foodborne illnesses can vary. From manufacturers, growers, retail stores, distributors, and processing facilities to improper temperature controls, cook times, and unsanitary conditions, when food safety procedures fail or are ignored in favor of profits, customers like you are put at risk.

At OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers, we can help you recover damages if you or a loved are suffering from any of the following:

Additional Practice Areas

Because of our reputation for excellence and experience with complex cases, we also have experience handling:

If OFT cannot take your case, we will help you find someone who can.

Food Poisoning Law and the Role of an Attorney

Most of our clients have never needed a personal injury lawyer before, let alone one specializing in food poisoning cases. 

In general, food poisoning lawsuits are similar to other product liability claims where a manufacturer is responsible for putting a defective product in the hands of a customer.

From our first conversation, we will answer your questions about the legal process and the steps necessary to file a food poisoning lawsuit.  We closely monitor food poisoning outbreaks and can often provide critical information about the source of your illness.

If you have already received a diagnosis and know the source of your illness, we are also ready to act fast and pursue full and fair compensation for your losses, including:

  • Past, present, and future medical bills
  • Lost income
  • Any out-of-pocket expenses
  • Past and future pain and suffering

In general, food poisoning lawsuits are similar to other product liability claims where a manufacturer is responsible for putting a defective product in the hands of a customer. We must prove the product was dangerous when used as intended.

Food poisoning cases, however, are uniquely complex.  In contrast to a typical product liability case where the product itself can be analyzed, the illness-causing food has been consumed and is therefore unavailable for testing.  In addition, the incubation period — the time between consumption and first symptom — for most pathogens is at least 24 to 48 hours and can be more than a month, making it even more difficult to identify the source of an illness.  Modern food production also usually involves multiple parties and an array of overlapping rules and regulations.

An attorney experienced in food poisoning cases can identify the critical information quickly, trace the contaminated food through the chain of distribution, assemble medical and public health experts to prove the case, and get results.

Foodborne Illness FAQ


  • Is there a time limit to sue for food poisoning? 

    Yes.  Every state has a different “statute of limitations," that outlines the timeframe to file a personal injury claim. Waiting too long may result in losing the right to bring a case. That’s why it is always best to speak to a food poisoning lawyer sooner rather than later.


  • How do I report food poisoning?

    Too many foodborne illnesses go unreported, which is a crucial step in making food safer.  By reporting a foodborne illness, agencies and health departments become aware of potential outbreaks. This can lead to faster recalls and potentially fewer victims. To report a suspected foodborne illness, you can contact the health department on your own or talk to a doctor. We usually recommend speaking to a medical professional, who can diagnose your condition through a stool or other test.  If you test positive for a foodborne illness, the doctor or lab will automatically report your case to the appropriate agency. We can also help you find out where to report your illness.


  • How is food poisoning diagnosed?

    This largely depends on the circumstances or pathogen involved, but food poisoning is often  diagnosed as “gastroenteritis.” This is a general term describing intestinal dysfunction marked by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever. This type of diagnosis does not identify the cause or specific pathogen causing the infection. Usually, doctors will order additional tests, including blood work and a stool culture for more definitive information. In some cases, a spinal fluid test may be necessary.  Obtaining a precise diagnosis through a culture is a critical part of proving a food poisoning case. Please contact us for additional information.


  • What foods commonly cause foodborne illnesses?

    Virtually any food product can cause illness. In recent years, fresh produce and fruit have been associated with some of the largest outbreaks.  Other common causes of food poisoning are raw or undercooked meat and poultry, unpasteurized dairy products, unwashed produce, and food that has been improperly refrigerated.


  • What is cross-contamination? 

    Cross-contamination is the transfer of harmful bacteria from raw food to other ready-to-eat foods or to cutting boards, utensils, food handlers, or other surfaces. Cross-contamination is a very common root cause of food poisoning outbreaks.


  • Do I have a case?

    There is no easy answer to this question, and it depends on several factors. It’s best to contact an experienced food poisoning lawyer to talk through the facts of your specific case. They will be better able to answer your questions, direct your next steps, identify who is responsible, and honestly assess your case.

Trust Us to Set Things Right

We are here to listen to your story and respond rapidly.

With decades of experience in the food safety field and millions of dollars recovered in food poisoning settlements and verdicts, OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers have the skill and resources to handle any food poisoning case. We are passionate about safe food and client service.

Our commitment to you:

  • A free one-on-one consultation to analyze your case and offer you advice.
  • Guidance on what medical tests to request and questions to ask.
  • Help dealing with health departments, so you get clear, concrete answers.
  • A methodical, scientific approach to collecting evidence and assessing your case.
  • Personal attention from lawyers who care about you and your family’s well-being.
  • Zero upfront costs and no fees unless you recover compensation.

Foodborne illness cases are different. Whether you contracted E. coli from produce, Listeria from cheese, or Salmonella from a restaurant, you will need attorneys with experience, technical know-how, and proven results.

Signs of Food Poisoning & Contamination

Some typical symptoms associated with food poisoning are:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Severe Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • hot and cold flashes
  • fever

If you believe you or a loved one have contracted a foodborne illness or have food poisoning symptoms, you should take action:

Get medical treatment immediately.

Request that your doctor order a stool culture to identify the specific pathogen that caused your illness.

Notify your state or local health department.

Contact an experienced foodborne illness lawyer. We offer free consultations and are happy to answer any questions you have.

Schedule your Free Consultation Today