Getting sick from contaminated food is more common than most people think. The Food & Drug Administration reports that almost 50 million Americans get food poisoning every year. While many cases cause mild symptoms that go away on their own, over 100,000 people end up in the hospital annually because of serious foodborne illnesses.
E. coli stands out as one of the most dangerous types of food poisoning. According to the Centers for Disease Control, E. coli sends more than 2,000 people to the hospital each year. Some cases turn deadly. When you or someone you love gets sick after eating at a restaurant or buying food from a store, you have legal rights. Washington law lets victims pursue compensation for their injuries and losses.
What Is E. Coli and Why Is It So Dangerous?
E. coli is a type of bacteria that normally lives in your intestines and in animal intestines. Most types don't cause problems, but some can make you very sick.
The worst strain is E. coli O157:H7. This bacterium produces a poison called Shiga toxin. When it enters your body, it can cause bloody diarrhea and severe stomach cramps. In serious cases, it leads to kidney failure, damage to your central nervous system, or death.
Doctors call E. coli that makes Shiga toxin by a special name: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC for short. While O157:H7 gets the most attention, other STEC strains can be just as harmful.
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: A Life-Threatening Complication
One of the scariest complications from E. coli is hemolytic uremic syndrome, known as HUS. This condition happens when the infection creates toxic substances that destroy your red blood cells. When these cells break down, your kidneys stop working properly.
People with HUS often need:
- Intensive care in the hospital
- Kidney dialysis
- Blood transfusions
- Long-term medical treatment
Even with treatment, HUS can cause permanent kidney damage or death.
Other Common Foodborne Illnesses You Should Know About
E. coli isn't the only bacteria that can contaminate your food and make you sick.
Listeria
Listeria bacteria lives in soil, water, and some animals like cattle and poultry. You can find it in raw milk and foods made from unpasteurized milk. This bacteria is unusual because it keeps growing even when food sits in your refrigerator.
Food processing plants sometimes have Listeria contamination problems. The bacteria can spread to deli meats, hot dogs, and other processed foods. Cooking and pasteurization kill Listeria, but many people eat these foods cold without heating them first.
Salmonella
Salmonella ranks as one of the most frequent causes of food poisoning in America. Most people who get Salmonella feel sick for four to seven days and recover without needing a doctor. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
But Salmonella hits some groups harder than others. Older adults, babies, and people with chronic health conditions face a higher risk of serious illness. Like Listeria, cooking and pasteurization destroy Salmonella bacteria.
Where Do E. Coli Outbreaks Come From?
Health departments often trace E. coli outbreaks back to specific sources. In Washington State, past outbreaks have been linked to:
- Undercooked hamburgers
- Raw or unwashed spinach
- Unpasteurized milk
- Contaminated water
- Prepared foods from grocery stores and restaurants
- Food trucks
Each year in Washington, between 150 and 250 E. coli cases get reported to health officials. Most happen during summer and fall months.
A Look at King County's E. Coli Problem
King County saw its highest number of E. coli cases in over ten years back in 2014. That year, health officials confirmed 74 cases and identified 14 more probable cases.
In June 2014, an outbreak at a child care center sickened 12 confirmed cases and 13 other children who likely had the same infection. The outbreak involved E. coli O26, a different but still dangerous strain. Public Health worked with the center to improve hygiene practices and stop the bacteria from spreading.
Out of all the 2014 cases in King County, 13 people (about 15%) needed hospital care. Fortunately, no one developed HUS that year. King County typically sees zero to one HUS case annually.
That same year, Mercer Island faced water safety concerns. Seattle Public Utilities found E. coli during routine water testing, which led to two boil water advisories in September and October. Health officials watched closely but didn't find any illness cases connected to the water contamination.
Recent E. Coli Outbreak at Seattle-Area Restaurant
E. coli outbreaks continue to affect Washington residents. In late 2025, health officials linked an E. coli outbreak to a Seattle-area restaurant, with multiple people getting sick after eating there. The outbreak prompted an investigation by local health authorities to identify the source of contamination and prevent additional cases.
This recent outbreak shows that food safety remains an ongoing concern, even with modern regulations in place. When restaurants fail to follow proper food handling and preparation procedures, innocent customers pay the price with their health. These cases remind us why holding businesses accountable for food safety violations matters so much.
Can You Sue a Restaurant for Food Poisoning?
Yes, you can sue a restaurant for food poisoning in Washington State. But winning your case takes more than just getting sick after eating out.
Restaurants Must Follow Food Safety Laws
Washington law requires all restaurants and food service businesses to maintain proper food safety standards. Chapter 246-215 WAC spells out these requirements. The state adopted the 2009 FDA Food Code with some changes to match local needs.
These rules aren't suggestions. They're legal requirements. When a restaurant breaks these rules and someone gets sick, that business can be held responsible for the harm they caused.
Common Ways Restaurants Cause Food Poisoning
Food poisoning cases often happen because restaurants or food service companies fail to take basic safety steps. Here are some examples of negligence that lead to outbreaks:
- Failing to clean and sanitize areas where food is prepared or stored
- Not keeping food at safe refrigerator temperatures
- Continuing to use expired ingredients or spoiled food
- Not cooking food to the temperature needed to kill harmful bacteria
- Allowing employees with poor hygiene habits to handle food
- Not washing hands properly after using the bathroom
- Using the same cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables without sanitizing between uses
How to Prove a Restaurant Made You Sick
The biggest challenge in food poisoning cases is connecting your illness to a specific restaurant or food source. Many people get sick without knowing exactly what caused it. You need solid evidence to build a strong case.
Document Everything Right Away
As soon as you realize you might have food poisoning, start gathering information:
- Write down what you ate, where you ate it, and when
- Keep all receipts from restaurants or grocery stores
- Take photos of leftover food if you still have it
- Write notes about your symptoms and when they started
- Record the names of anyone else who ate with you and got sick
Get Medical Help and Keep Records
See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you think you'll feel better in a few days. Some foodborne illnesses get worse without treatment. Medical records also provide proof that you were actually sick.
Your doctor might order tests to identify the specific bacteria that made you ill. These test results become important evidence in your case.
Make sure you keep copies of:
- Medical bills and hospital statements
- Test results showing what bacteria infected you
- Doctor's notes about your symptoms and treatment
- Pharmacy receipts for any medications
- Records of follow-up appointments
Report Your Illness to Health Officials
Contact the Washington State Department of Health to report your food poisoning. When multiple people report getting sick from the same place, health inspectors can investigate and possibly prevent others from getting ill.
These official reports also help your legal case. If other customers got sick from the same restaurant around the same time, their reports support your claim.
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Changes How Food Is Regulated
In January 2011, President Obama signed the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act into law. This represented the biggest change to food safety rules in more than 70 years.
Before this law, the FDA mostly responded after people got sick. The new approach focuses on preventing contamination before it happens. The FDA now has stronger authority over how food is grown, harvested, and processed.
These changes mean food companies face stricter standards and more oversight. When they fail to follow these rules, they can be held accountable for the harm they cause.
What Compensation Can You Get for Food Poisoning?
If you got sick because a restaurant or food company didn't follow proper safety procedures, you shouldn't have to pay for their mistake. Washington law allows you to recover money for all the ways food poisoning has affected your life.
Medical Expenses
This includes everything related to treating your illness:
- Emergency room visits
- Hospital stays
- Doctor appointments
- Medical tests and lab work
- Prescription medications
- Future medical care if you have lasting health problems
Lost Income
Food poisoning can keep you out of work for days or even weeks. Serious cases might prevent you from working for months. You can recover compensation for:
- Wages you missed while too sick to work
- Income you lost if food poisoning left you with permanent disabilities
- Benefits you lost because of missed work time
Pain and Suffering
Money can't undo the physical pain and emotional stress of serious food poisoning, but it recognizes what you went through. This covers:
- Physical pain from your illness
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Permanent health problems or disabilities
Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Food Poisoning Case
Food poisoning cases can get complicated fast. Restaurants and food companies have insurance companies and lawyers ready to fight your claim. They might try to blame you or argue that something else made you sick.
An experienced attorney knows how to investigate these cases thoroughly. They can work with medical experts and health officials to prove where your illness came from. They also know what evidence matters most and how to present it effectively.
Going through a food poisoning case alone puts you at a disadvantage. The other side has resources and experience. You deserve someone on your team who will fight for your rights and push for full compensation.
Take Action If Food Poisoning Has Affected Your Life
Food poisoning can turn your life upside down. Medical bills pile up while you're too sick to work. Some people face long-term health problems that change everything about their daily routine. You shouldn't have to deal with these consequences because someone else cut corners on food safety.
If you or a family member got sick after eating at a restaurant or buying contaminated food, McNeese & Trotsky, PLLC can help. Our team understands the serious impact foodborne illnesses have on victims and their families. We know how to build strong cases that hold negligent businesses accountable.
Call us at (206) 332-1918 for a free consultation. We'll review what happened, explain your legal options, and help you understand what your case might be worth. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Don't wait too long to reach out. Washington law sets time limits on how long you have to file a lawsuit. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start gathering evidence and building your case. Let us handle the legal fight while you focus on getting better.
