Attorney Referrals

Trader Joe's Salami Recall Lawyer

trader joe's salami recall

According to a report from the CDC, there is an ongoing salmonella outbreak related to a brand of salami sticks sold at a popular grocery chain – Trader Joe’s. The CDC interviewed nine people, 8 of which either ate or think they ate Citterio brand salami sticks prior to falling ill. Current health recommendations are to completely avoid Citterio salami sticks. It is also wise to thoroughly wash all containers and items that came into contact with the product. If you experienced symptoms of salmonella after eating Trader Joe’s salami from Citterio, you may have a case.

At Lipton Law, our number one priority is YOU. We understand that, after an illness or injury, you don’t want a complicated and stressful lawsuit to deal with. That’s why our product liability attorneys fight tooth and nail on your behalf so you can focus on recovery. If you or someone you know suffered illness linked to Trader Joe’s salami, you may have a case. Call our office today at 248-557-1688 or fill out our online intake form to schedule your free, confidential consultation.

Can You Sue if You Get Salmonella Food Poisoning?

Absolutely, if your case meets a few key requirements. The first thing you’ll want to do is identify the food that gave you salmonella. In most cases, victims can file a claim against either a restaurant or grocery store. Additionally, many victims find success in suing the manufacturer of the contaminated food. No matter where your illness originated from, we highly recommend seeking legal counsel to see if you have a case. Lipton Law stands ready to assess your case and, if appropriate, move forward with a lawsuit on your behalf.

What Is Salmonella?

An infection of salmonella is actually a common bacterial disease. It mostly infects the intestinal tract, as most people who become infected with salmonella ingested it. Salmonella usually originates from bacteria that live in animal and human intestines. Eventually, the human or animal sheds the bacteria via feces. If this feces contaminates a food or water source, it could potentially lead to a salmonella outbreak. 

Salmonella infection is usually accompanied by no symptoms. Within eight to 72 hours, others suffer diarrhea, fever, and stomach pains. Without special treatment, most healthy patients recover in a few days.

In rare situations, the diarrhea caused by salmonella infection is so severe that it needs medical care right away. If the infection spreads outside your intestines, it might cause life-threatening consequences. If you visit places with inadequate sanitation, your chances of contracting salmonella increase.

How Common is Salmonella?

The CDC estimates that around 1.35 million people fall ill because of salmonella. Approximately 26,500 people go to the hospital for it, and 420 people die. Because of the Trader Joe’s salami outbreak, the CDC records that eight states are currently dealing with this outbreak. At least 20 people are sick with salmonella-related illnesses, and three are in the hospital.

How Do People Get Sick From Salmonella?

People, animals, and birds all have Salmonella bacteria in their intestines. The majority of people become ill with salmonella after consuming feces-contaminated foods. The following foods are commonly contaminated by salmonella.

  • Poultry, raw meat, and seafood: During the preparation process, feces may come into contact with uncooked meat and fowl. If seafood is taken from polluted water, it may be contaminated.
  • Raw eggs: While the shell of an egg appears to be perfect protection from contamination, some diseased birds produce eggs that are already contaminated with salmonella before the shell is created. One infection example is when people consume homemade mayonnaise, which contains raw eggs.
  • Vegetables and fruits: Some fresh food, particularly imported types, may have been watered in the field or washed with salmonella-contaminated water during preparation. When fluids from raw foods come into contact with uncooked foods, such as vegetables, contamination can develop.

Symptoms of Salmonella

Eating undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, or egg products is the most common way to get salmonella. The incubation phase might last anywhere from a few hours to two days. The majority of salmonella infections are categorized as stomach flu, or gastroenteritis. The following are some of the possible indications and symptoms.

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain and cramping
  • Diarrhea
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Headaches
  • Bloody stool

Salmonella poisoning signs and symptoms usually last two to seven days. Diarrhea might persist anywhere from one to ten days. However, bowels may not function normally for several months. Typhoid fever, a frequently fatal disease that is more common in underdeveloped nations, is caused by a few types of salmonella bacteria.

What Is a Salmonella Lawsuit?

These types of product liability lawsuits allow victims of salmonella food poisoning to achieve compensation for their illness. This compensation usually includes the cost of medical bills, time off from work, and the suffering they endured. Severe cases sometimes see long term consequences from the illness, such as reactive arthritis. In these cases, attorneys often seek compensation for future medical bills to cover complications.

How Do I Know if I Can File a Salmonella Lawsuit?

The best thing to do is call an attorney who handles cases like the Trader Joe’s salami recall. Lipton Law offers free and confidential consultations to those who suspect they have a case. If you suffered an illness after eating or drinking a contaminated food product, we highly recommend contacting a personal injury attorney who handles product liability.

What to Do Before Filing a Salmonella Lawsuit

It is always best to seek legal counsel from a lawyer to guarantee that your interests are safeguarded. There may be important deadlines in your case. As a result, consulting a lawyer as soon as possible is beneficial.

The Trader Joe’s salami case is crucial. What matters most, though, is your health. If you have signs of food poisoning, get medical help right away. Salmonella food poisoning can have long-term health implications that can be avoided or reduced with early medical care. Ask for a stool test when you visit your doctor to check if your sickness is caused by Salmonella. A stool test can also identify the source of your Salmonella infection. Lipton Law has two on-staff nurses who can discuss your medical alternatives in order to help you establish your case.

How to Gather Documents for a Salmonella Lawsuit

To file a Salmonella case on your behalf, we’ll need a few documents. For example, proof of your receipt is valuable evidence for us to have in your case. A copy of your release documentation from your doctor is usually useful if you were hospitalized. However, each instance is unique. So, the easiest method to find out what we could require for you is to contact us.

What Kind of Lawsuit Is a Salmonella Lawsuit?

Food sickness caused by Salmonella and related lawsuits are both product liability claims. Restaurants and many food businesses are classified as food producers under the law. When a manufacturer offers a faulty product, they may be held strictly accountable for any injury caused by that product. If a business or restaurant sold you Salmonella-contaminated food, the business or restaurant may be held solely responsible for the injury their faulty product caused you. If a food maker is found to be at fault, the producer may face strict product liability.

In these cases, you have the potential to sue the store where you bought the product, the restaurant that served it to you, or a whole host of other parties. You can also sue the manufacturer of certain products, as well as those in the chain of distribution. This could include suppliers, distributors, packagers, and countless others.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Salmonella Lawsuit?

As with many other product liability cases, you can try to recover multiple types of damages in a salmonella case. We list these below.

Economic Damages

The most typical sort of compensation given is economic damages, which are possible in all successful salmonella lawsuits. They are intended to compensate for verifiable monetary damages. The following are some examples of those damages.

  • Current and future medical expenses: The primary goal of medical treatment is to return you to as healthy a state as possible. Sometimes, this requires ongoing or advanced treatment. Additionally, you might never return to the same healthy state you were once in.
  • Lost wages and loss of earning capacity: Many people lose income after an injury or illness because they miss work. In some cases, these illnesses prevent people from being able to work in the future. Then, we seek damages for a loss of earning capacity.
  • Funeral or burial costs: In cases of wrongful death, family members may have to pay for burial and funeral expenses. A salmonella lawsuit covers these costs.

You have the right to obtain full compensation if you suffered any of the damages listed above. Keep in mind that states do not limit the amount of compensation you can receive.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic consequences are losses that are not quantifiable. Their worth is far more difficult to quantify because it is reliant on the magnitude of the individual’s loss. As a result, it will vary from case to case. The following are some instances of non-economic damages that may be recovered in a salmonella case.

  • Pain and suffering: This measures the severity of the physical pain and discomfort you experienced because of the illness. It also covers any losses to your quality of life.
  • Emotional distress: This involves the severity of mental and emotional distress you suffered because of the illness. While this tends to vary by case, victims might feel fear, humiliation, anxiety, insomnia, and even depression. In these cases, we often request the opinion of a mental health professional for verification.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life: Illness and injury can change a person’s life in a way that takes away former sources of enjoyment. If this happened to you, you can seek compensation for that loss.
  • Disfigurement or disability: Joint pain and reactive arthritis sometimes flare up in the presence of salmonella sickness. These aftereffects can sometimes last for months or even years.
  • Loss of consortium: Illnesses and injuries sometimes affect one’s relationship with their spouse. If you suffer a loss of companionship or relationship with your loved one, you can recover compensation.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are available less often than economic and non-economic damages. Only a few jurisdictions allow them for certain cases. They generally come about when the defendant committed a particularly heinous or deliberate act which led to the case. Also, the main goal of punitive damages is not to just add to the compensation amount. These damages serve as both a punishment to the offending party and a warning for others to not follow in their footsteps.

How Much Is My Claim Worth?

The value of a salmonella food poisoning lawsuit varies depending on the circumstances of each case, but it may be determined by speaking with a knowledgeable product liability lawyer. The following elements will be used to determine the value of your claim.

  • Strength and amount of evidence to support your claim
  • Severity of the illness and the impact it had on your life
  • How the illness affected your earning potential and your ability to participate in activities you enjoyed before the illness
  • The monetary amount of medical bills and illness-related expenses
  • How your marriage or personal relationships suffered as a result of the illness

How Can a Product Liability Lawyer Help Me?

If you purchased Trader Joe’s salami from the company Citterio and then contracted salmonella, there’s a very good chance that you have a case. Consulting with an experienced product liability attorney will give you an idea of how strong your case is. At Lipton Law, we have experience in both settling cases outside of court and litigating on behalf of clients. That is to say, we offer knowledge and experience in all different areas of product liability.

Contact Lipton Law Today 

If you purchased Trader Joe’s salami, ate it, then became sick with salmonella, you might have a case. Lipton Law fights on behalf of those with illnesses or injuries stemming from another party’s negligence. We stand ready to either negotiate a settlement on your behalf or fight for your right to compensation in court. To schedule a free and confidential consultation with us, please call 248-557-1688. You can also fill out our online intake form.