Norovirus Outbreak Lawyers

Norovirus is a leading cause of food poisoning and can result in serious illness. It can be challenging to determine where your foodborne illness originated. A norovirus attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to find out exactly what happened that led to your norovirus infection.

If your illness is linked to a specific person or business who acted negligently, we may recommend that you file a lawsuit. You may even be able to file a product liability claim based on strict liability or a breach of implied or explicit warranty. Let us help you get the compensation you need to move forward with life.

Compensation for a Norovirus Claim

No matter the theory of liability we utilize, we can help you pursue total and fair compensation for the following damages:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost income
• Lost employment benefits
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent physical limitations

Who Is Liable for a Norovirus Outbreak?

Various people or companies can be held responsible for norovirus outbreaks. Sometimes more than one party will be jointly liable for your illness. Through our independent investigation, we will work to determine precisely who caused your injuries.

We will obtain as much information as possible from state and local health departments and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We aim to identify precisely where the contaminated foods or person-to-person transmission occurred.

Liable parties may include:

• Restaurant
• Grocery store
• Other food preparers
• Manufacturer
• Distributor
• Food cultivation facility
• Transportation company
• School or daycare facility
• Cruise ship employees
• Healthcare facilities

Any person or company that engages in food preparation must take measures to prevent norovirus transfer. If an entity does not comply with health and safety regulations, it may be liable for illness resulting from its negligent actions.

What Is Norovirus?

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that spreads quickly. Outbreaks of norovirus are common, and they can occur anytime. However, they are most common between November and April.

You can get norovirus by having direct contact with an infected person, consuming contaminated foods, or touching contaminated surfaces and then putting dirty hands in your mouth.

The best way to prevent norovirus is to wash hands often, rinse raw fruits and vegetables, cook foods thoroughly, and avoid preparing food when you are sick. It’s also best to regularly clean your home with disinfectant, especially if anyone in your family has been ill. You should stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of norovirus and not return to work or school for two days after the symptoms stop.

Norovirus vs. Stomach Flu

Norovirus is often called “food poisoning,” “stomach flu,” or “stomach bug.” While norovirus is a common cause of foodborne illness, other germs can also lead to food poisoning. Additionally, norovirus is not related to the flu at all. The influenza virus causes the flu.

How is Norovirus Contracted?

People can get norovirus in the following ways, according to the Minnesota Department of Health:

• Eating or drinking contaminated food or liquids
• Eating uncooked shellfish harvested from contaminated water
• Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your face or eating without washing hands

Symptoms of Norovirus

Norovirus often thrives in the digestive system and disrupts normal eating habits. Common symptoms include the following:

• Stomach pain
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

A significant complication with norovirus is dehydration. This is especially dangerous for people who already have pre-existing conditions or are elderly or young. For these people, norovirus can be deadly.

How Is Norovirus Diagnosed?

Norovirus may be diagnosed with a laboratory test to detect the virus in the stool, vomit, food, water, or other environmental specimens. A norovirus test is susceptible and can detect the virus at very low levels, even if it is an older sample.

However, norovirus is often diagnosed based on a person’s symptoms, and a test is not required. If a norovirus outbreak occurs, the CDC may request a test of people who have potentially been exposed to the same cause of the illness.

How Is Norovirus Treated?

There is no specific medication you can take to cure norovirus. However, you can treat the symptoms and make you feel better. There are anti-nausea medications and anti-diarrheal medications that can reduce your symptoms. This can help prevent dehydration. You should also drink plenty of water and get rest while you are feeling ill.

Antibiotics do not help treat norovirus because it is a virus, not a bacterial infection.

Recent Norovirus Outbreaks

Since norovirus is so common, there are outbreaks frequently. Every year, the CDC estimates that there are between 19 and 21 million total norovirus cases in the U.S. Approximately 109,000 people are hospitalized due to norovirus each year. More than 900 people die because of the virus annually.

Some recent norovirus outbreaks include:

• Wisconsin: 53 cases linked to prepared fruit salad
• 13 States: 192 illnesses related to oysters imported from British Columbia

How to Report Norovirus

Health departments are encouraged to report norovirus outbreaks to the CDC; however, they are not required to. Doctors and healthcare facilities should report outbreaks to state and local health departments.

You can also self-report your case of norovirus or a suspected outbreak to your local health department or the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS).

Speak to Our Norovirus Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one became ill after eating contaminated food or being exposed to an unsafe environment, contact a norovirus outbreak lawyer as soon as possible. OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers has helped victims like you recover millions of dollars in compensation.

Call 888-828-7087 or contact us online. We handle foodborne illness cases throughout the United States. We offer a 100% free initial consultation.