We all know that a fast food meal isn’t the healthiest choice when it comes to nutritious meals yet many of us find ourselves eating out when we are in a rush or without anything to prepare. Did you know that the average American family now spends half their food budget on restaurant food” [Source: Healthline.com]? Healthline also cited that millennials are spending about 45% of their food budget on eating out. Needless to say, Americans have developed a habit of grabbing a meal on the go more frequently than they should.
Fast food may not only increase your cholesterol levels or raise your blood pressure, but too much can lead to acne, headaches, depression, dental stress, weight gain, and even a heart attack depending on the type of food you consume and how often you eat it. Aside from the adverse effects eating out can have on a person, you also have to remember that you place yourself at risk of becoming ill from fast food as you don’t know how fresh the food is or if it is being prepared in a clean and sanitary environment.
What are my legal rights if I got sick from a fast food establishment in Nashville?
While there may not be any legal remedies available to someone whose body simply didn’t agree with the fast food they ate, there may be some if the restaurant or fast food establishment wasn’t taking precautionary measures to ensure the food was fresh and safe for customers to eat. For example, if a food recall was issued and the establishment failed to remove the potentially tainted food after being notified of the recall, you may have a viable case, although you will want to confirm this with TN personal injury attorney George R. Fusner Jr. first.
A fast food restaurant may also be held liable for providing you with damages if it failed to notify its customers that it offers raw or undercooked animal foods which puts you at an increased risk of catching a foodborne illness. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, food establishments in the State of TN are required to provide consumers with a written statement “that clearly identifies animal foods which are or can be ordered raw or undercooked, or that contain an ingredient that is raw or undercooked.” This information helps consumers understand what they are eating as well as the potential risks.
Aside from being required to disclose certain information to its consumers, fast food establishments are also expected to meet the requirements the Tennessee Department of Health has set to ensure the facility is well kept and is not putting customers at risk of being harmed. In the event the restaurant you visited was in violation of one or more health codes which caused you or a loved one to become sick, this might also entitle you to recover compensation for various damages including:
- Medical bills. If you were admitted to a local hospital, the fast food establishment could be required to cover the costs associated with your stay as well as any other medical expenses that accrued as a result of you getting sick.
- Lost wages. If you were unable to work for a few days while you were ill, you may also be entitled to recover compensation for the money you were unable to make.
- Pain and suffering. Depending on how serious your condition was, it may also be in your best interest to seek compensation for pain and suffering as well.
How to Report a Complaint About a Fast Food Establishment in Nashville, TN?
If you observed a food safety concern during your visit to a fast food restaurant in Nashville or a nearby area and you believe this is the reason you became ill, you can report your complaint to the Tennessee Division of Environmental Health which is “responsible for the investigation of food service establishment complaints.” To report your complaint, simply call the Restaurant Complaint/Foodborne Illness Hotline at 800-293-8228.
Ready to speak with an experienced lawyer to find out if you have a legitimate case against a fast food restaurant in TN?
If so, contact Nashville, TN personal injury attorney George R. Fusner Jr. at 615-251-0005. In the event we determine you do have a viable case, we can help you file the necessary paperwork with the court to initiate the lawsuit process. Sometimes, when fast food establishments learn they are being sued, they will offer a settlement to prevent the case from going to trial. If their settlement is fair, you will have the option to accept it and the case will end there. However, if the establishment isn’t willing to compensate you, then it may be necessary to go through the court proceedings.
Now, if you are ready to speak with a skilled Nashville, TN personal injury lawyer, we encourage you to contact our office today.
The Law Office of George R. Fusner Jr. is located at:
7104 Peach Court
Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone- 615-251-0005
Fax- 615-370-8447
Website: www.gfusnerlaw.com
