Food Allergies Can Lead to Serious Health Problems – and Lawsuits

March is National Peanut Month, apparently. For children and adults with peanut allergies, that is hardly a cause for celebration.

Food allergies, including peanut allergies, affect up to 15 million Americans and approximately 1 in 13 children according to the website foodallergy.org. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food allergies among children increased approximately 50% between 1997 and 2011 and lead to 300,000 ER visits every year.

While some food allergies cause only mild symptoms, in the most severe cases, anaphylactic shock from a food allergy can cause hypoxic brain injury or death.

The CDC reports that the eight most common food allergens accounting for approximately 90% of all food-allergic reactions are:

• milk
• eggs
• soy
• wheat
• fish

• shellfish
• peanuts
• tree nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios or macadamia nuts).

People with food allergies and the parents of children with such allergies usually make every effort to avoid the foods which can do them so much potential harm. They rely on the labels on the food they purchase from the supermarket. They carefully review the menu at the restaurant they’re eating at or let their server know about their allergy issues so they can have them double-check to ensure that an item does not contain a harmful ingredient.

When a food manufacturer, retailer, catering company, or restaurant misrepresents the ingredients in their food or is negligent in their labeling or assurances, they may be held accountable for any illness, injury, or death that occurs as a result of an allergic reaction.

At Parian Law Firm in metro Atlanta, we represent individuals and families who have been sickened or suffered losses after consuming or coming into contact with foods to which they are allergic. If you or a member of your family has suffered anaphylactic shock or other severe allergic food reactions, please give us a call at (770) 727-5550 or chat live online with a member of our staff today. We can discuss your situation, evaluate your potential claim, and advise you of your options.