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Posted by: OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers

A simple meal shouldn’t end in tragedy. But for some families, contaminated food—particularly with deadly pathogens like Salmonella—can lead to devastating and unexpected loss. When a loved one dies from a foodborne illness, grief is often compounded by unanswered questions, medical bills, and a sense that no one is being held accountable.

At OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers, we understand the pain of losing a family member to something as preventable as unsafe food. Our Salmonella Outbreak Lawyers’ mission is to help grieving families seek justice through wrongful death claims and to hold food companies accountable when their negligence costs a life.

The Hidden Dangers of Salmonella: When Contamination Turns Deadly

Salmonella is one of the most common—and dangerous—causes of foodborne illness in the United States. It is often found in:

  • Undercooked poultry, beef, and eggs
  • Contaminated fruits and vegetables
  • Packaged foods that were mishandled during processing

While many people recover from salmonella infection, it can be fatal in vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and those with weakened immune systems. In severe cases, salmonella can lead to:

  • Sepsis (a life-threatening blood infection)
  • Meningitis
  • Organ failure

The consequences can be catastrophic when proper food safety protocols are ignored—whether during farming, packaging, or preparation.

The Aftermath: Emotional and Financial Burdens on Families

The sudden death of a loved one is always a shock. But when that loss is caused by food that was supposed to be safe, families often experience:

  • Overwhelming grief and trauma
  • Confusion about how the contamination occurred
  • Frustration with government agencies or companies who aren’t transparent
  • Medical and funeral expenses they never planned for
  • Lost income and support for dependents

No one should have to go through this alone, or without answers.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in a Foodborne Illness Case?

A wrongful death claim allows surviving family members to pursue compensation when another party’s negligence caused a loved one’s death. In cases involving salmonella or other pathogens, wrongful death lawsuits often focus on:

  • Unsafe food handling practices
  • Manufacturing or distribution errors
  • Failure to issue recalls or contamination warnings
  • Inadequate food testing procedures

Wrongful death compensation may include:

  • Medical bills related to the illness
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of financial support
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship and guidance 

How OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers Help Grieving Families

OFT is one of the only law firms in the country dedicated exclusively to food safety litigation. We bring together the resources of a national product liability practice with the compassion and focus of a family-centered firm.

Here’s how we help families after a fatal foodborne illness:

We Investigate Thoroughly

Our team works with top epidemiologists, microbiologists, and investigators to identify the exact source of contamination. Whether it’s a recalled product, a restaurant, or a supply chain breakdown, we get to the root of what happened. 

We Hold Corporations Accountable

We’ve gone up against major food manufacturers, distributors, and restaurants—and won. Our experience in high-stakes litigation means we know how to expose negligence and fight for justice.

We Guide Families with Compassion

Losing someone to food poisoning is not just a legal issue; it’s deeply personal. Our attorneys work directly with families, offering support, answers, and advocacy at every stage of the legal process. 

We Maximize Compensation

No amount of money can bring back a loved one, but securing a fair settlement or verdict can ease financial burdens and send a powerful message that unsafe food practices will not be tolerated.

Why Legal Action Matters After a Fatal Salmonella Outbreak

Pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit isn’t just about compensation. It’s about:

  • Getting the truth about what happened
  • Ensuring accountability from negligent food companies
  • Raising awareness to protect other families from similar tragedies
  • Changing industry practices so safety becomes the standard, not the exception

Families play a crucial role in improving food safety nationwide by speaking out through the legal system.

Recent Salmonella Wrongful Death Cases

At OFT, we’ve represented families in some of the most high-profile foodborne illness cases in the country. In past salmonella cases, our clients have held:

  • Major poultry processors responsible for failing to prevent cross-contamination
  • National grocery store chains liable for selling contaminated produce
  • Manufacturers accountable for packaging failures that allowed bacterial growth

Every case we take is about more than just a lawsuit—it’s about creating change.

Call OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers: We’re Here for You

If you’ve lost a loved one due to a fatal case of salmonella or another foodborne illness, you may feel overwhelmed, angry, and unsure of where to turn. At OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers, we’re here to listen, investigate, and advocate for your family.

Call us at (888) 828-7087 or contact us online. We offer free consultations and never charge fees unless we win your case. You deserve answers and justice. Let us help you get both.

Notable Recoveries

$10 million

Seven infants were sickened after consuming a contaminated food product marketed to infants

$6.5 million

Verdict on behalf of a little boy who contracted a severe Salmonella infection from chicken

$7.55 million

Verdict on behalf of a little girl who contracted E. coli at a petting zoo

$2.25 million

E. coli infections contracted from a major fast food chain

$45 million

An over-the-counter medication caused severe kidney damage to multiple users

$3.4 million

A pregnant woman contracted a Listeria infection from contaminated fruit and passed the infection to her child

$3 million

Multistate Cyclospora outbreaks

$275,000

A couple contracted Salmonella from a restaurant

$525,000

A pedestrian was struck by a left-turning car, fracturing her tibia

$700,000

A semi-truck rear-ended a motorcyclist causing a collapsed lung, rib fractures and road rash