September 7, 2025
Posted by: OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers
Fresh fruits and vegetables are cornerstones of a healthy diet, but they can sometimes become contaminated with harmful bacteria like Salmonella. When contaminated produce leads to a serious Salmonella illness, the consequences can be severe. At OFT Law, our Salmonella lawyers are dedicated to helping victims understand how this contamination occurs and how to pursue justice when it leads to illness.
Salmonella is a bacterium that can be found in the intestinal tracts of animals, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. It can also be present in their feces. Produce can become contaminated with Salmonella at various points along the farm-to-fork chain:
The journey of produce begins on the farm, and unsafe agricultural practices can introduce Salmonella before food ever reaches consumers. From the water used to irrigate crops to the presence of animals in fields, farms play a critical role in preventing contamination. Poor hygiene by farmworkers can also increase the risk.
Even after produce leaves the farm, contamination risks remain during processing and packaging. Facilities that don’t follow strict sanitation standards can unintentionally spread Salmonella across large batches of food. Equipment, surfaces, and even water used for washing play a role in keeping produce safe.
The risk doesn’t end once food leaves the facility, transportation and retail environments can create new opportunities for Salmonella to spread. From dirty transport vehicles to improper storage temperatures and unsafe handling in stores, consumers can be exposed before they ever take produce home.
When a serious Salmonella illness is linked to contaminated produce, holding the responsible parties accountable can be a complex undertaking. That’s where an experienced Salmonella lawyer from OFT Law comes in.
Our legal team works diligently to connect your illness to the specific produce item and, crucially, to trace that produce back to its point of contamination. This often involves collaborating with food safety experts, epidemiologists, and investigators.
We analyze outbreak data, health department reports, and supply chain records to pinpoint where the Salmonella contamination likely occurred—whether it was on the farm, during processing, or in distribution.
The journey of produce is long, and multiple entities can be responsible for contamination. This might include the farm that grew the produce, the packing facility, the distributor, or even the retailer or restaurant.
Our lawyers identify all potentially liable parties and build a comprehensive case against them, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in seeking justice.
We understand the profound impact a severe Salmonella infection can have on your health, finances, and quality of life. This includes prolonged hospitalization, ongoing medical needs, lost wages, and the emotional toll of the illness. We work with medical experts to fully document the extent of your injuries and the long-term effects.
Our goal is to secure full and fair compensation for all your damages. This can include:
We are skilled negotiators who will fight aggressively on your behalf, whether through settlement discussions or in court.
At OFT Law, we believe everyone deserves access to justice. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious Salmonella illness suspected to be from contaminated produce, don’t face the complex legal battle alone.
Contact OFT Law today for a free and confidential consultation. We are here to help you understand your rights and guide you through the process of holding negligent parties accountable.
OFT Law is a dedicated law firm specializing in foodborne illness litigation. With a deep commitment to food safety and a proven track record, we represent victims across the nation, fighting for the justice and compensation they deserve from negligent food producers and suppliers.
