Coming across a foreign object in your food can be a distressing experience. From harmless pieces of soft plastic to metal nails and rocks that can cause irreversible damage, these objects can lead to serious injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered harm from finding a foreign object in your food, you have the right to seek compensation by filing a claim against the responsible fast-food chain, restaurant, or food product manufacturer. At Normandie Law Firm, the top law group in Los Angeles, our team of experienced lawyers specializes in handling foreign object in food injury cases. We can provide expert guidance throughout the process of building your case and filing for compensation. Read on to find out more about the average settlement amount for lawsuits involving foreign objects in food. If you have any questions after reading this article, please feel free to reach out to our top-rated law offices for a free consultation. Our attorneys, with their expertise in foreign object in food injury lawsuits, are here to assist you.
Fast Food Restaurants and Traditional Sit-Down Restaurants
Fast food restaurants are known for their quick service and affordable prices. However, due to the focus on speed, mistakes can occur during food preparation. Many of these establishments also pre-prepare ingredients, making it unlikely for employees to notice foreign objects in the food. Here are some popular fast food chains in California:
- Burger King
- Carl’s Jr.
- McDonald’s
- Del Taco
- In-N-Out Burger
- Jack in the Box
- Sonic Drive-IN
- Taco Bell
- Wendy’s
- Subway
- KFC
- Long John Silver’s
- Panda Express
- Chick-fil-A
- Arby’s
- Fat Burger
- Baja Fresh
- Chipotle
- Papa Johns
- Pita Pit
Foreign objects can be found in the food served by these establishments, as well as in traditional sit-down restaurants. Some examples of foreign objects that may appear in your food include:
- Glass
- Nails
- Screws
- Band-aids
- Pebbles
- Fingernails
- Pieces of metal or plastic
- Fish bones
- Cherry pits
- Jewelry
- Rings
- Wires
- Wood
- Rocks
- Insects
- Rodents
- Feces
- Bones
- Hair
- Blood
- Human fingers
When a person consumes a foreign object, breaks a tooth, or damages their dentures, the restaurant should be held accountable for the resulting harm. The costs of repairing broken teeth or dentures can be significant, and in some cases, swallowing a foreign object may lead to life-threatening conditions requiring extensive medical treatment or even surgery. Common injuries caused by foreign objects in food include:
- Cuts in the mouth and throat and damaged teeth
- Illness from ingesting the object
- Allergic reactions to unlisted ingredients
- Lacerations from unexpected sharp objects in the food
Victims of these injuries should not have to suffer without compensation. Fast food chains, restaurants, and other businesses have a duty to ensure the safety of their customers, especially when it comes to consuming their products. When this duty is neglected, a lawsuit can be filed to help the victim recover from the damages they have endured. While it’s impossible to determine the average value of a specific case since various factors can affect its worth, we can still provide you with an idea of how much your case may be worth and the factors influencing its value. Please continue reading for an outline of these factors or consult an expert lawyer experienced in handling foreign object in food cases.
You and Your Case
When clients approach our law firm with their foreign object in food lawsuits, they often have similar questions. Here are some frequently asked questions:
- What is the average value of a foreign object in food lawsuit?
- What is the typical settlement value for a foreign object in food lawsuit?
- How much can I expect to receive for my foreign object in food case?
Determining the exact value of a foreign object in food lawsuit, or any lawsuit for that matter, can be challenging. While it may be possible to estimate, every case is unique, and there are no guarantees that the estimated amount will fit every circumstance.
On average, a foreign object in food lawsuit can be worth over $100,000 if the injuries have had a significant impact on the victim’s health and life. For example, if the victim couldn’t return to work due to digestive problems and the restaurant was aware of the foreign object but failed to address the issue, the case could be worth over $200,000. Additionally, restaurants can sometimes face class action lawsuits, which could be valued at over $10,000,000.
To estimate the potential value of your case, it’s essential to calculate the damages for which you are seeking compensation. An experienced attorney who specializes in foreign object in food claims can provide an estimate. These compensable damages fall into three categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic damages, which make up the bulk of a case, involve specific monetary losses. They include:
- Past and future medical expenses: Costs related to hospitalization and future treatment resulting from the initial injury, which often make up a significant portion of the settlement value.
- Loss of income: Compensation for wages lost due to the injuries, including sick and vacation time.
- Loss of potential income: When injuries are severe enough to impact a victim’s ability to perform at their previous level, a formula is used to evaluate projected earnings and the impact on future work prospects.
Non-economic damages, also known as general damages, provide compensation for intangible losses. These damages can be challenging to quantify and may require the assistance of an attorney. Some examples include:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation based on the level of pain experienced by the victim, often calculated using a pain scale.
- Emotional distress: Compensation for any emotional trauma resulting from the injuries. The amount varies by state.
- Loss of consortium: Added to the case when severe injuries affect the victim’s loved ones’ ability to maintain a normal relationship and companionship.
Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and discourage similar conduct in the future. Fighting for these damages can be challenging, and not all attorneys will make the effort. However, at Normandie Law Firm, we are committed to ensuring that our clients receive the compensation they deserve, including punitive damages.
About Normandie Law Firm
Having an experienced attorney on your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your compensation claim. At Normandie Law Firm, our attorneys specializing in foreign object in food cases are dedicated to our clients and their cases. We serve clients in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Riverside, Bakersfield, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, and throughout California. If you reach out to our law offices, we can guide you through the complex process of filing your claim and help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney handling foreign object in food claims.
No Upfront Fees – Ever
We are committed to our clients, which is why we operate under a zero fee guarantee policy. You won’t have to pay for our services until we win your case. If we take on your case, it will be on a contingency basis, meaning our payment is contingent upon successfully obtaining compensation for you.
Free Second Opinions
If you already have an attorney, you can still seek a second opinion on your case by contacting our law offices. Many attorneys in this field are primarily interested in their bottom line and may not provide the level of communication you deserve after signing you up. At Normandie Law Firm, our attorneys are compassionate and committed to treating you as an individual, not just another case. If you have doubts about your current attorney, feel free to reach out to us for a second opinion.
