E-coli poisoning arises from exposure to bacteria which lives in the lower intestine of mammals, including humans. It is not always harmful and can actually help the body to break down and digest food.

There are however different strains of E-coli some of which can give rise to a variety of symptoms and can even be fatal.

As E-coli lives inside the intestines of animals it is often found in animal excrement. As a consequence exposure can occur in a variety of ways including:

• Contact through contaminated water either by drinking or alternatively using the water for bathing, washing utensils or in food preparation;
• Poor hygiene in food preparation including failure to wash hands after visiting the toilet or after handling raw meat which could be infected with E-coli;
• Failing to wash hands after direct contact with animals for example at farms or animal sanctuaries;
• Improper handling of animals and meat on farms and in abattoirs leading to the meat becoming contaminated with animal faeces.

E-coli infection can give rise to a variety of symptoms including stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea. In some circumstances the effects can be much more serious particularly in vulnerable individuals such as children and the elderly.

In addition, E-coli is easily transferred across surfaces and utensils so other items of food can also become contaminated such as salads and vegetables which are often eaten raw. It is for this reason that kitchen staff under-go food safety training with a view to establishing proper hygiene regimes and the correct storage of food.

Should you be diagnosed as suffering from an E-coli infection it may be possible to pursue a claim for personal injury compensation. In order to do so however it will be necessary to establish that somebody else was to blame for the development of your condition.

At Sintons our personal injury specialists can advise you fully on the prospects of pursuing a claim for compensation arising from E-coli or other forms of infection.

All personal injury claims are pursued on a No Win No Fee basis so you can rest assured that there is no financial risk.

To begin a personal injury compensation claim or obtain further advice with no obligation contact Sintons 24/7.