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Updated 9th April 2026. You may be able to claim compensation for Salmonella poisoning if you can show that a third party’s failure to abide by their obligations under food safety legislation caused you harm. To do so, you will need evidence directly linking the illness to their negligent actions, such as food samples, proof of purchase, and your medical records. A solicitor can help gather this evidence and guide you through the public liability claims process. We can answer all the FAQs.
Key Takeaways About Salmonella Poisoning Claims
- Salmonella is a type of bacteria; an infection of Salmonella can cause illness that leads to diarrhoea, vomiting, and chills.
- Some Salmonella strains can cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and bacteremia, a bloodborne infection that can affect organs and the nervous system.
- Poor hygiene practices, improper food handling, and incorrect storage methods are some of the most common causes of Salmonella poisoning.
- Liability for Salmonella poisoning generally rests with the third party that supplied the contaminated food, such as a restaurant, café, or takeaway.
- You can get expert support throughout your Salmonella poisoning claim by pursuing compensation with one of our specialist No Win No Fee solicitors.
Salmonella poisoning can have severe consequences that last beyond its physical effects. The disruption to daily routine can be significant, with sizable financial losses. You shouldn’t have to navigate the claims process alone during this difficult time. That is where our solicitors come in. By connecting with one of them, you can receive the support you need and stay focused on your well-being, recovery, and healing journey.
For further guidance, please get in touch with our team of advisors using the contact details below:
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Jump To A Section
- What Is Salmonella Poisoning?
- Who Is Liable For Salmonella Poisoning?
- What Are The Time Limits In Salmonella Compensation Claims?
- What Evidence Do You Need To Claim Compensation For Salmonella Poisoning?
- How Much Compensation For Salmonella Poisoning?
- Who Could Be Responsible For Salmonella Poisoning?
- Salmonella Compensation Claims With Our Expert Solicitors
- Can You Claim Compensation For Salmonella Poisoning On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- FAQs: Claiming Compensation For Salmonella Poisoning
- More Resources About Food Poisoning Claims
What Is Salmonella Poisoning?
According to the NHS, food poisoning can occur when you eat something that has been contaminated with germs. It is usually caused by different infections and harmful bacteria, such as Campylobacter bacteria, Salmonella bacteria, Norovirus, and E. coli bacteria.
If you get food poisoning from Salmonella, you could experience common symptoms such as:
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- High temperature
Food poisoning could have a significant impact on you, including causing substantial pain and suffering and financial loss through having to take time off work to recover. Furthermore, severe food poisoning could require hospitalisation for a period of time.
In some cases, you could claim compensation for Salmonella poisoning to address the way you have been affected. Read on to learn what eligibility criteria need to be met in order to make a compensation claim. Alternatively, contact us for information about food poisoning claims.
Who Is Liable For Salmonella Poisoning?
A framework for all food legislation in England, Scotland, and Wales is provided under the Food Safety Act 1990. This act also sets out the main responsibilities for food businesses, including making sure they don’t include anything in or remove anything from food, or treat food in a way that means the health of the people eating it will be damaged. The duty of care they owe applies during each stage of food preparation, including when handling, storing and preparing.
Additionally, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) was established by the Food Standards Act 1999. The FSA is an independent government department that works to protect public health and consumers in relation to food in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Act 1999 allows the FSA to take action against food businesses while acting in the consumer’s interest at any stage during the food production and supply chain.
If a food business, such as a restaurant, café, catering provider or other food retailer, failed to uphold their obligations under the Food Safety Act 1990, they could be liable for any food poisoning contracted by customers as a result.
Examples of how they could fail to uphold their responsibilities, leading to Salmonella food poisoning, include:
- Not cooking food or reheating food thoroughly.
- Food not being stored at the right temperature, such as not being frozen or chilled when required.
- Cross-contamination occurs when food is mishandled. Examples of this could include handling raw chicken and then handling cooked products without washing hands in between.
- Poor overall hygiene in a kitchen. This could involve not storing food correctly in a fridge, cooked and raw products touching, food being dropped on dirty surfaces or cleaning not being carried out correctly.
Can You Claim Compensation For Food Poisoning?
In order for food poisoning compensation claims to be eligible, you must prove the following:
- A duty of care was owed to you.
- This duty was breached.
- You suffered harm as a result, such as when you contract food poisoning.
The above points lay the basis of negligence in personal injury claims. You must provide evidence of negligence in order to seek compensation.
For further guidance on the question ‘Can you claim compensation for food poisoning?’, please get in touch using the number above.
What Are The Time Limits In Salmonella Compensation Claims?
The time limit for Salmonella compensation claims is typically 3 years from the date the food poisoning incident occurred, as established by the Limitation Act 1980. Now, there are certain exceptions to this that can be made if circumstances permit; these are:
- Children: if a child contracts Salmonella from a food vendor, then they cannot begin a claim on their own. The 3 years are instead counted from their 18th birthday, meaning they have until 21 to start a claim.
- Persons lacking sufficient mental capacity: if the affected person does not have the mental capacity to claim for themselves, then the time limit is frozen completely.
In order to get any potential claim for Salmonella poisoning underway as soon as possible, an adult who meets the suitability requirements could act as a litigation friend. Litigation friends can apply or be appointed by the court to direct the proceedings on behalf of someone who cannot do this for themselves.
Often, a parent or guardian will be the litigation friend, but any adult who meets the criteria could make decisions on behalf of the affected person. You can find out more about claiming on behalf of another person, as well as ask our advisors, “Can you claim compensation for Salmonella poisoning?” by calling the number below today.
What Evidence Do You Need To Claim Compensation For Salmonella Poisoning?
The evidence you will need to claim compensation for Salmonella poisoning should be able to show how a third party directly caused your illness, such as samples of the food you ate, medical records, and formal complaints that you made. Moreover, your evidence should document the broader impact the Salmonella poisoning has had on your life.
You can find more details on what proof could improve your chances of making a successful personal injury claim in the following list:
- Medical records: Including tests confirming your Salmonella poisoning, as well as GP or A&E notes detailing your symptoms and the treatments you needed.
- Food log: Record all the food and drink you’ve consumed in the 24 hours before first noticing the symptoms of Salmonella poisoning.
- Proof of purchase: Retain your receipts, a copy of the menu, and a sample of the food (if possible). This can serve as a record of what you ate and provide insight into the potential source of the contamination.
- Photographs: Take pictures of the suspected source of the Salmonella poisoning, together with any visual signs of inadequate food safety standards (e.g. poor hygiene).
- Correspondence: Keep any correspondence you had with the place where you bought the food. Additionally, any report you’ve made to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) can be used as evidence for your claim.
- Diary: Highlight your symptoms, recovery, and the day-to-day impact the Salmonella poisoning has had on your physical and psychological well-being
If you’re navigating the fallout of Salmonella poisoning, gathering evidence can feel daunting. However, you don’t have to do this alone; by connecting with one of our solicitors, you’ll get all the help you need with proving your claim. Contact our advisory team to learn more.
How Much Compensation For Salmonella Poisoning?
A compensation payout for food poisoning may be made up of two heads of claim after a successful food poisoning case. These are general damages and special damages.
General damages are designed to compensate you for the pain and suffering caused by the harm you experienced. In this instance, general damages may be awarded for the effects of Salmonella poisoning.
In order to calculate this head of loss, reference can be made to a medical report from an independent medical assessment that you might need to attend as part of the claims process. Additionally, the guideline compensation brackets from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) can also be referred to.
You can find a selection of these figures in the table below, with the exception of the first entry. Please use the figures as a guide only.
| Harm Type | Severity Level | Notes | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple very severe injuries plus financial losses | Very severe | Compensation for multiple serious illnesses and financial costs incurred as a result, such as lost earnings, medical bills, and travel expenses. | Up to and above £250,000 |
| Bowels | Faecal urgency and passive incontinence | The person experiences embarrassment and distress. | In the region of £97,530 |
| Bowels | Severe abdominal injury | Functional impairment with restriction on employment and diet. | £54,420 to £85,100 |
| Digestive system | Illness/damage due to non-traumatic injury (i) | Severe toxicosis resulting in serious acute pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and fever. The person requires hospital admission for a period of days or weeks. | £46,900 to £64,070 |
| Digestive system | Serious but short lived (ii) | Food poisoning that is serious but short-lived alongside diarrhoea and vomiting which reduces over 2-4 weeks. There is some remaining discomfort and bowel function disturbance. | £11,640 to £23,430 |
| Digestive system | Food poisoning or allergic reaction (iii) | Food poisoning that causes significant discomfort, cramps in the stomach, fatigue, and an alteration of bowel function. Hospital admission is needed for some days. | £4,820 to £11,640 |
| Digestive system | Disabling pain (iv) | Varying degrees of disabling pain with diarrhoea for some days or weeks. | £1,110 to £4,820 |
Claiming Compensation For Financial Losses Caused By Food Poisoning
In addition to general damages, you could also be awarded special damages. This head of claim is designed to compensate you for any financial losses which have been incurred as a result of your injuries. Examples of what costs you could claim back include:
- Medical expenses, including medication costs.
- Travel expenses.
- Loss of income and earnings.
Keep a record of any losses to prove them, such as receipts, payslips, and invoices.
Contact our team to find out more about claiming a food poisoning compensation payout. An advisor can also provide further guidance about whether you can claim compensation for Salmonella poisoning.
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Who Could Be Responsible For Salmonella Poisoning?
As contamination can occur at any stage of the food production chain, multiple parties could be responsible for Salmonella poisoning, including manufacturers, restaurants, and agricultural businesses. You can find several parties who are commonly liable for food poisoning incidents:
- Food distributors and manufacturers: May be liable if contamination occurs during food processing, transportation, packaging, and storage.
- Supermarkets, shops, and retailers: Salmonella poisoning might result from improper storage or inadequate hygiene standards when handling food in bakeries and delis.
- Restaurants, cafés, and takeaways: Establishments are often at fault due to kitchen staff undercooking meat and eggs or failing to wash their hands.
- Catering companies and event providers: These parties may neglect hygiene standards or use improper methods for storing, transporting, and reheating food.
- Care homes, hospitals, and schools: Outbreaks in these environments can occur due to hygiene failures or contaminated food being served to vulnerable patients, residents, or students.
- Tour operators and travel companies: A UK-based company may be held responsible if a hotel, airline, or all-inclusive resort included in a package holiday uses unsafe food preparation methods or storage practices.
For more information on any of these, please connect with an advisor today who will be more than happy to assist you.
Salmonella Compensation Claims With Our Expert Solicitors
Pastoral care is at the heart of our expert solicitors’ approach to every Salmonella compensation claim. Advice believes that proper support can go a long way toward improving the success rates of food poisoning claims. That’s why our solicitors offer a wide range of support services to our clients, including:
- Use our extensive expertise to push your Salmonella compensation claim towards a successful outcome
- Collect strong pieces of evidence to strengthen your claim, including restaurant receipts, results from stool samples, and pathology reports
- Translate all the legal jargon into plain language and break down how food safety legislation works in relation to your claim
- Foster an open and supportive environment where you can come to us with queries and concerns at any point in time
- Put you in touch with gastroenterologists, infectious disease specialists, and therapists to aid your long-term recovery
Here at Advice, you can trust us with your claim. So, if you’re wondering, ‘Can you claim compensation for Salmonella poisoning?’ we can provide you with the correct information and guidance. Call us today.
Can You Claim Compensation For Salmonella Poisoning On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Yes, you can claim compensation for Salmonella poisoning on a No Win No Fee basis via a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
Our solicitors will provide you with a CFA so that you can benefit from:
- Not paying solicitor service fees if your claim fails
- Not paying any upfront solicitor service fees
- Not paying any solicitor service fees while your claim is ongoing
If your claim is successful, you will pay a success fee directly out of your compensation. Don’t worry, this fee is capped at a percentage of 25, as per the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013.
We deeply care about our clients and are waiting to hear from you, even if you are simply exploring options right now. Call us today at a time that is convenient for you and take your first step towards starting the Salmonella poisoning claims process.
- Call an advisor on 0161 509 2856
- Contact us via our form
- Talk to us via our live chat feature
FAQs: Claiming Compensation For Salmonella Poisoning
Read our answers to 4 frequently asked questions about claiming compensation for Salmonella poisoning to get further information on the process.
Can I Claim For Salmonella Poisoning From A Restaurant Or Takeaway?
Yes, you can claim for Salmonella poisoning from a restaurant or takeaway, if it can be shown that the establishment was responsible for harming you because of their failure to meet food safety standards.
Can Multiple People Make A Claim If We Were All Affected By Salmonella Poisoning?
Yes, multiple people can make a claim if they were all affected by Salmonella poisoning in the same outbreak, whether by pursuing compensation individually or as a group.
What If I Am Unsure Exactly Which Food Made Me Sick?
If you are unsure exactly which food made you sick, you can still seek compensation, but you would need leftover samples, medical records, and other evidence to establish causation and identify the source of the Salmonella infection.
Do I Need To Report My Salmonella Illness To Anyone?
While you are not required to report your Salmonella illness to local environmental health authorities or the Food Standards Agency, doing so can strengthen your case if an investigation later establishes non-compliance with food safety regulations.
More Resources About Food Poisoning Claims
These resources can help inform you about Salmonella and can inform your decision to claim.
- Information on Salmonella from the government.
- Information on food poisoning from the Food Standards Agency.
We hope this guide has answered the question ‘Can you claim compensation for food poisoning?’. If you have any other questions, please get in touch with an advisor at the number above.
