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News Desk | News Story
24th September 2009
E-Coli and your legal rights
Media Coverage
Parents of young children may be worried about recent reports of outbreaks of E-coli at some children’s farms.
They may also be cautious about visiting farms after advice from one expert that parents should think hard before allowing young children to touch farm animals.
Don’t panic
It is important not to panic and to understand the facts behind the headlines, as well as what rights people have who become, or whose children become, infected.
What is E-coli?
E-coli, or Escherichia coli is a common and usually harmless type of bacteria that lives inside peoples’ intestines and helps the body break down and digest food.
However, some strains of E-coli are dangerous. Symptoms of infection include diarrhoea and vomiting which can lead to dehydration which can be particularly dangerous for young children and the elderly because of their weaker immune systems and lower tolerance to fluid loss.
In severe cases this can result in kidney failure and can cause permanent damage needing dialysis or transplant. In rare cases E-coli can prove fatal.
The risk with farm animals
Because E-coli lives in the intestines of animals as well as humans, contamination can occur by touching farm animals.
But if hands are washed thoroughly before they come into contact with the mouth then contact with farm animals should not be a risk. A child cannot be infected simply by stroking a farm or family animal.
This is why the advice to think hard about letting the under 5’s touch farm animals was given. It is difficult to ensure completely safe hand hygiene in this age group.
Your compensation rights
If you or your child becomes infected with E-coli due to the carelessness or negligence of someone else – poor hygiene facilities at a farm for example – then it may be possible to pursue a claim for compensation.
Claims might be possible if there is permanent damage as a result of the infection, or if there is any delay by the medical profession in diagnosing the infection, especially if a delay or misdiagnosis results in a worse outcome for the patient.
It is important to seek legal advice. Just because someone develops E-coli does not mean that they will automatically be able to claim compensation. The outcome of any claim depends on the facts of the case, such as whether the injury or illness was foreseeable but was not prevented by the responsible person or organisation.
At Thompsons Solicitors we will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Contact us about your accident or injury
Call us for free on 08000 224 224 Call us from your mobile on 0330 123 123 0 (charged at local number and free when covered by inclusive minutes) Request a call back Text CLAIM to 82010 (standard network rates apply)
