Every food poisoning case disrupts a life, and our Fort Worth food poisoning attorney Paul Previte is ready to make things right. We know a sudden illness can bring ER bills, missed paychecks, and unshakeable worry, and we treat those burdens as our own. From common salmonella infections to rare chemical contamination claims, Texas personal injury lawyer.
Paul Previte uses more than two decades of courtroom experience to hold unsafe restaurants accountable. Our office at 6000 Western Place, Suite 200, Fort Worth sits minutes from Loop 820, so clients from Haltom City, Arlington, and North Richland Hills can reach us easily. Whether you fell ill after a Sunday brunch in Sundance Square or grabbed take‑out on Airport Freeway, we’re already in your neighborhood and on your side.
Sick after dining out? Let us trace the source and the liability. Call the Law Office of Paul Previte at (817) 335-4357 for a free, same-day case review and start turning hospital bills into rightful compensation.
What Are Common and Uncommon Causes of Restaurant Food Poisoning in Texas?
Food poisoning is an illness caused by contaminated food or drink. In Texas restaurants the usual culprits are Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter, and Norovirus, all of which thrive when food is under‑cooked, left unrefrigerated, or handled with dirty hands. State health data shows Texas logs more than 5,000 salmonella cases each year, and many trace back to restaurants that cut food‑safety corners.
Uncommon yet devastating hazards include botulism from home‑canned goods, hepatitis A spread by an infected worker, or cleaning chemicals splashed into food. Most outbreaks are preventable when kitchens follow the rules so ignoring those rules is negligence.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Food Poisoning After Eating at a DFW Restaurant?
Get medical care first; prompt testing links the pathogen in your body to the dish that made you sick and protects your health. Report the incident to Tarrant County Public Health so investigators can stop others from falling ill. Preserve evidence: receipts, loyalty‑app records, leftovers, or even photos of the meal. Keep a diary of symptoms, doctor visits, and missed work to prove losses later. Stay off social media and avoid talking to the restaurant’s insurer until you’ve spoken with the DFW food‑safety litigation attorneys at the Law Office of Paul Previte. Early legal advice prevents costly missteps.
Can You Sue a Restaurant for Food Poisoning in Texas?
Yes. Texas law lets victims sue a restaurant when unsafe food causes illness and losses. A claim can proceed under negligence, where the eatery failed to act reasonably, or strict product liability, where contaminated food is viewed as a defective product. Either path can compel a negligent restaurateur, or the supplier that provided tainted ingredients, to pay for the harm done.
What Are the Legal Grounds for a Food Poisoning Lawsuit in Texas?
A winning case proves four points:
- Duty of care. Restaurants owe every diner safe, properly prepared food.
- Breach. Examples include under‑cooked poultry, cross‑contamination, expired ingredients, or sick employees handling meals.
- Causation. The breach must be what made you sick. Matching lab results, outbreak reports, or multiple ill patrons supply that link.
- Damages. Medical bills, lost wages, and pain prove real harm.
Because food is a product, our Fort Worth restaurant‑liability lawyers often allege strict‑liability alongside negligence to cover every legal angle. Health‑department citations or prior violations near the date you dined can seal the breach element.
How Do You Prove the Restaurant Caused Your Illness?
Evidence is the heartbeat of these claims. Doctors’ stool or blood tests identify the pathogen, and advanced DNA “fingerprinting” can match it to bacteria found in a kitchen supply. Receipts show you ate there; leftovers let labs test the dish itself. Tarrant County inspectors’ reports, supplier invoices, and surveillance footage reveal food‑handling flaws. When multiple patrons fall ill from the same entrée, group testimony or a class‑wide investigation builds a powerful narrative. Haltom City food‑poisoning lawyer Paul Previte subpoenas records, consults epidemiologists, and connects every dot so insurers can’t deny responsibility.
Do You Need to Be Seriously Ill or Hospitalized to Sue for Food Poisoning?
Severity matters, but hospitalization isn’t mandatory. A claim is viable when illness leads to significant costs or suffering, a week off work for IV treatment qualifies, while a brief stomach ache rarely justifies litigation. Catastrophic cases, such as kidney failure after an E. coli infection or a tragic wrongful‑death scenario, demand aggressive action. When unsure, let the North Texas personal‑injury attorneys at our firm evaluate the true impact before you decide.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Texas Food Poisoning Lawsuit?
Victims may claim:
- Medical expenses now and in the future.
- Lost wages and diminished earning power.
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress or food anxiety.
- Out‑of‑pocket costs like travel or hired help.
- Punitive damages when a restaurant’s conduct was grossly unsafe.
Settlements vary from a few thousand dollars in mild cases to six‑ or seven‑figure awards in severe outbreaks. Our Texas food‑poisoning attorney Paul Previte pursues every category so clients are made whole, not left paying for a kitchen’s mistakes.
Are There Any Challenges or Limitations to Suing a Restaurant for Food Poisoning in Texas?
Texas imposes a two‑year statute of limitations, so waiting can forfeit your rights. Defendants often argue the illness came from somewhere else or that all safety codes were followed. Some claims face comparative fault arguments if, for instance, improperly stored leftovers contributed. Government‑run cafeterias invoke sovereign immunity with special notice rules. Insurance carriers may offer low settlements or outright deny blame. The Fort Worth food‑poisoning attorneys at the Law Office of Paul Previte anticipate these tactics, gather fresh evidence quickly, and press until fair compensation is on the table.
Can Multiple People Join Together in a Food Poisoning Lawsuit?
Yes. When dozens fall ill from the same dish, a class action or consolidated lawsuit streamlines discovery, equalizes outcomes, and increases leverage. Certification rules and strategic choices can be complex, so the DFW food‑borne‑illness team at our office evaluates whether collective action or individual suits will produce the best recovery for each client.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Sue for Food Poisoning, or Can You Handle It Alone?
You can file pro se, but restaurants wield insurance adjusters and legal counsel trained to minimize payouts. Haltom City food‑poisoning attorney Paul Previte knows the statutes, the science, and the local courts, and he fronts all investigation costs on a contingency fee. No win, no fee. Clients gain negotiating power, comprehensive investigations, and peace of mind while they heal.
What Are the Next Steps?
Food poisoning can upend your health and finances, but you don’t have to shoulder those costs alone. Attorney Paul Previte is ready to listen, explain your options, and fight for every dollar you deserve. Call (817) 335-4357, visit us at 6000 Western Place, Suite 200, Fort Worth, or fill out our online form for a free consultation today. Evidence fades quickly. Reach out now so we can preserve proof, protect your rights, and help you move forward with confidence.
Attorney Bio
Paul Previte is a Fort Worth trial attorney with 25 years of experience as a defense lawyer, prosecutor, and judge. That three‑sided perspective lets him level the playing field for criminal defendants and personal‑injury plaintiffs alike. Paul works one‑on‑one with every client, sharing his personal cell number, mapping strategy together, and never hesitating to take a case to trial when it means a better outcome. When your future is on the line, he brings the full power of Texas courts and a quarter‑century of courtroom skill to your side.
