Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Post-Infectious IBS

If you or a loved one developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Post-Infectious IBS (PI-IBS) following food poisoning, you may be entitled to compensation. At OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers, our experienced food poisoning attorneys help clients hold negligent food producers, distributors, and restaurants accountable for long-term digestive issues caused by contaminated food.

Contact us today at (888) 828-7087 for a free case evaluation.

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that affects the stomach and intestines, causing recurring discomfort and bowel irregularities. People with IBS often experience abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of these symptoms, which can significantly disrupt daily life, work, and social activities.

While the exact cause of IBS is not fully understood, it is generally classified as a functional GI disorder, meaning that the symptoms are real but do not correspond to structural damage detectable by standard medical testing.

Symptoms of IBS

IBS symptoms vary in severity and may fluctuate over time. Common symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain and cramping – Often relieved or worsened by bowel movements.
• Bloating and gas – Can cause discomfort and visible swelling in the abdomen.
• Changes in bowel habits – Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between the two.
• Sensation of incomplete evacuation – Feeling like you still need to go even after a bowel movement.
• Additional symptoms – Nausea, fatigue, and general discomfort in some cases.

These symptoms can impact daily life, making it important to document them thoroughly if pursuing a legal claim for PI-IBS following food poisoning.

Causes of IBS

The exact cause of IBS is complex and may involve multiple factors, including:

• Abnormal gut motility – The intestines may contract more or less than normal, causing diarrhea or constipation.
• Gut-brain interaction – Miscommunication between the brain and the digestive system can intensify pain and discomfort.
• Post-infectious triggers – Foodborne illnesses, such as Salmonella or E. coli, can lead to post-infectious IBS (PI-IBS).
• Inflammation or infection – Even low-level gut inflammation may trigger symptoms in susceptible individuals.
• Psychological factors – Stress, anxiety, or depression can exacerbate IBS symptoms.

Understanding the causes and symptoms of IBS is critical for medical management and, in cases of PI-IBS, for establishing a link between foodborne illness and chronic GI issues in a legal claim.

What is Post-Infectious IBS?

Post-Infectious IBS (PI-IBS) is a subtype of IBS that develops after an acute gastrointestinal infection, such as food poisoning caused by bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter), viruses (Norovirus), or protozoan parasites (Cyclospora). Research shows that 4% to 32% of people who suffer foodborne illness may develop PI-IBS, depending on the pathogen and severity of the initial infection. Unlike general IBS, PI-IBS has a clear trigger event, the initial infection, which makes it medically and legally distinct.

Symptoms of PI-IBS can persist for months or even years after the foodborne illness resolves. The condition can cause chronic gastrointestinal distress, interfere with work and daily life, and require ongoing medical care, which is why individuals affected by PI-IBS may be eligible to seek compensation through legal claims.

Symptoms of PI-IBS

Symptoms of post-infectious IBS typically begin shortly after recovery from acute food poisoning, and they can vary in severity. Common signs include:

• Abdominal cramping and bloating – Persistent discomfort in the lower or upper abdomen that may intensify after meals.
• Recurrent abdominal pain associated with bowel movements – Pain that improves or worsens with defecation, a hallmark symptom of IBS.
• Changes in bowel habits – Including diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between the two. Stool may appear loose, hard, or irregular.
• Increased gas and bloating – Often accompanied by a feeling of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement.
• Nausea or mild fatigue – Some patients experience additional systemic symptoms due to ongoing gut inflammation.

Because PI-IBS develops after infection, patients often notice a sudden change in bowel habits that persists, which helps doctors distinguish it from other types of IBS.

Causes of Post-Infectious IBS (PI-IBS)

PI-IBS occurs when the body’s immune and inflammatory response to an acute infection continues longer than normal, disrupting the normal function of the gut. This prolonged inflammation can damage the nerves and muscles lining the intestines, leading to abnormal gut motility, hypersensitivity, and chronic GI symptoms.

Medical research identifies several contributing factors to PI-IBS development:

• Contaminated or hazardous food products – Foods exposed to bacteria, parasites, or viruses due to poor handling or recalls.
• Improper food handling or unsafe preparation – Cross-contamination, undercooked meat, or unsanitary kitchen practices that allow pathogens to survive.
• Defective packaging or storage – Packaging that fails to prevent contamination or temperature mishandling during transport or storage.
• Negligence in the food supply chain – Failure by manufacturers, distributors, retailers, or restaurants to maintain food safety standards.

While PI-IBS is primarily triggered by infection, research also suggests that psychological stress, genetic predisposition, and pre-existing gut conditions may increase a person’s risk of developing long-term symptoms after food poisoning.

From a legal perspective, identifying the cause of PI-IBS is crucial. If your condition resulted from contaminated food due to negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys work closely with medical experts to trace the outbreak and establish liability in these complex cases.

How Outbreaks Are Traced

Tracing a Post-Infectious IBS (PI-IBS) outbreak can be complex because the symptoms often appear weeks or months after the initial foodborne illness. Public health agencies, such as state and local health departments, sometimes investigate clusters of individuals reporting chronic gastrointestinal symptoms following foodborne illness. These investigations typically include:

• Reviewing medical records – Health authorities analyze patterns in hospital visits, diagnoses, and lab results to identify a common cause.
• Interviewing affected individuals – Officials ask about recent meals, locations visited, and food consumption to pinpoint potential sources of contamination.
• Testing suspected food products – Samples from restaurants, grocery stores, or food distributors may be collected for lab testing to confirm contamination.
• Tracing the supply chain – Investigators follow the path of food from farm to table, identifying where contamination could have occurred, such as at the production, storage, or transportation stage.

Even when public agencies are unable to fully investigate, PI-IBS attorneys can conduct parallel legal investigations. Our lawyers work with medical experts, forensic investigators, and other affected individuals to gather the evidence necessary to build a strong legal case. This process is crucial in demonstrating negligence and linking the contaminated food to your long-term GI issues.

Who Can Be Held Liable

Determining liability in a PI-IBS case often requires examining every step of the food production and distribution chain. Parties that may be responsible for foodborne illness include:

• Restaurants and food service providers – For failing to maintain safe kitchen practices or proper food handling.
• Grocery stores and supermarkets – If contaminated foods are sold or improperly stored.
• Food distributors and wholesalers – Responsible for the safe transport and storage of products.
• Food manufacturers and processors – For contaminated ingredients, defective packaging, or failure to follow safety standards.

It is common for multiple parties to share liability in a single case, particularly when contamination occurs across the supply chain. Our legal team carefully investigates each link in the chain to identify which entities failed to exercise reasonable care, ensuring our clients can pursue full and fair compensation.

Types of Damages Available in IBS and PI-IBS Cases

If you develop PI-IBS after food poisoning, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages:
Economic Damages – These are tangible financial losses directly caused by your illness, such as:

• Medical expenses (doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, therapies)
• Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
• Costs for long-term treatment or specialized care

Non-Economic Damages – These damages compensate for the less tangible, but equally real, impact of your illness, including:

• Pain and suffering from chronic GI symptoms
• Emotional distress and anxiety caused by ongoing digestive issues
• Diminished quality of life and limitations on daily activities

Our attorneys work closely with medical experts, life care planners, and economic specialists to evaluate the full extent of damages. By calculating both current and future losses, we aim to maximize compensation and ensure clients are fully protected.

Can You Receive Compensation for IBS?

Yes. If your Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Post-Infectious IBS (PI-IBS) developed because of foodborne illness caused by pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Cyclospora, Campylobacter, or Norovirus, you may be entitled to compensation. At OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers, our experienced attorneys help clients recover damages for the long-term impacts of chronic digestive conditions caused by contaminated food.

Potential compensation may include:

• Medical Expenses (Past and Future) – Costs for doctor visits, hospitalizations, medications, therapies, and specialized treatment for ongoing gastrointestinal issues.
• Lost Income and Reduced Earning Capacity – Compensation for wages lost due to illness-related absences and potential long-term impacts on your ability to work.
• Pain and Suffering – Reimbursement for physical discomfort, chronic pain, and emotional distress caused by persistent digestive problems.
• Long-Term and Future Damages – Financial recovery for ongoing treatment, lifestyle modifications, and the cumulative effect of chronic GI issues over time.

Steps to Strengthen Your Legal Claim

Document Your Medical Care

Keep detailed records of all gastrointestinal symptoms, doctor visits, lab tests, prescriptions, and treatment plans. Thorough medical documentation is essential for establishing a clear connection between your foodborne illness and your ongoing IBS symptoms, which is a critical factor in proving liability and damages.

Work With Medical Experts

Our attorneys collaborate with gastroenterologists and medical specialists who can explain how acute food poisoning can lead to PI-IBS. Expert testimony often includes:

• Medical reports linking your chronic symptoms to the original infection
• Prognostic evaluations of the long-term impact of PI-IBS
• Opinions on appropriate treatment and associated costs

Expert evidence strengthens your claim, helping insurance companies, defense attorneys, and courts understand the medical basis for your damages.

Consider Future Damages

It’s important to evaluate the long-term consequences of PI-IBS before settling a claim. Once a settlement is finalized and a release is signed, you typically cannot reopen the case for additional compensation. Our team works with medical experts and life care planners to accurately calculate:

• Expected future medical costs
• Ongoing therapy or dietary needs
• Potential lost wages or reduced work capacity over time

By thoroughly documenting your condition, using expert testimony, and accounting for future damages, our attorneys can maximize compensation for both the current IBS diagnosis and the long-term effects of PI-IBS.

Frequently Asked Questions About IBS, PI-IBS, and Food Poisoning Claims

How soon after food poisoning can PI-IBS develop?

Symptoms of post-infectious IBS typically appear within days to weeks after the acute gastrointestinal infection resolves. While some cases resolve naturally, PI-IBS can persist for months or even years, making early medical documentation essential to prove the connection for a legal claim.

Can I file a claim if my food poisoning occurred years ago?

Possibly, but it depends on your state’s statute of limitations, which sets a strict deadline for filing lawsuits. Consulting a PI-IBS lawyer promptly ensures your claim can be evaluated before the legal window closes.

What evidence is needed to support a PI-IBS lawsuit?

Strong evidence includes medical records, lab results, specialist reports, and expert testimony linking your chronic GI symptoms to the initial foodborne illness. Additionally, documentation of lost wages, ongoing treatments, and lifestyle impacts can strengthen your case for maximum compensation.

Who can be held liable for PI-IBS?

Liability can extend to any party in the food supply chain that failed to exercise reasonable care, including restaurants, grocery stores, distributors, and manufacturers. Multiple entities may share responsibility, and proving negligence often requires tracing the contamination back to the source.

What types of compensation can I recover?

You may be entitled to economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. In some cases, claims can also include future medical costs or ongoing care related to chronic digestive issues.

How can a lawyer help with my PI-IBS claim?

A qualified PI-IBS attorney can investigate the source of the outbreak, gather critical evidence, and work with medical experts to establish causation. They can also handle negotiations with insurance companies, file lawsuits if necessary, and ensure your claim reflects both current and future damages.

How a Lawyer Can Help

An IBS or PI-IBS attorney can guide you through every step of the legal process, ensuring your case is handled efficiently and effectively. Our team at OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers works to reduce your stress while pursuing maximum compensation. Key ways we assist include:

• Investigating the source of the outbreak – We trace contaminated food through the supply chain, identify negligent parties, and gather evidence to prove liability.
• Collaborating with medical and legal experts – Our attorneys work with gastroenterologists, epidemiologists, and life care planners to establish the link between your foodborne illness and PI-IBS.
• Collecting and organizing evidence – From medical records to witness statements and expert reports, we ensure your case is fully supported.
• Filing claims or lawsuits – Whether pursuing an individual claim or joining a class action, we handle all legal filings and procedural steps.
• Negotiating settlements or representing you in court – Our team advocates for your rights in negotiations, mediations, and, if necessary, at trial.
• Protecting your legal rights – While you focus on recovery, we manage deadlines, legal requirements, and communications with insurance companies or opposing counsel.

With our guidance, you can focus on your health while we navigate the complexities of a PI-IBS case to secure the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose OFT Food Safety & injury Lawyers?

OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers is a nationally recognized law firm specializing in foodborne illness litigation, product liability, and consumer protection claims. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling:

• Individual food poisoning claims – For clients affected by Salmonella, E. coli, Cyclospora, and other pathogens.
• Class action lawsuits – Representing multiple individuals affected by widespread outbreaks.
• Outbreak-related claims – Addressing contamination, recalls, and negligence in the food supply chain.

We are committed to aggressive, client-focused advocacy, pursuing full and fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future damages. By combining legal expertise with medical insight, our team builds strong, evidence-backed cases that protect our clients’ rights.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

If you or a loved one is experiencing IBS or Post-Infectious IBS (PI-IBS) after food poisoning, don’t wait to protect your rights. Early action is critical to documenting your symptoms, gathering evidence, and pursuing compensation.

Our experienced food poisoning attorneys will review your case, explain your legal options, and help you take the necessary steps to hold negligent parties accountable while focusing on your health and recovery.

Call us at (888) 828-7087 or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.