Greek Restaurant Allergic Reaction Claims Guide – After Eating Greek Food- Can I Claim Compensation? – Food Allergy What To Do & Guide?
By Marianne Herondale. Last Updated 19th April 2022. You could suffer an allergic reaction after eating at a Greek restaurant. Should this be the case, you may be entitled to seek compensation for the pain and distress you were caused providing you can show the restaurant was to blame.
Allergic reaction after eating at Greek restaurant claims guide
Our guide to claiming compensation for an allergic reaction after eating Greek food explains what this type of personal injury claim against a responsible party would entail. We go into the sort of evidence required to prove liability on the part of a restaurant and how a No Win No Fee lawyer could offer their services. We also explain what general damages could be awarded and the special damages you may be awarded in a successful claim against the party responsible.
To find out how Legal Expert could be of assistance in claiming compensation for a food allergy in a Greek restaurant, please get in touch with one of our advisors today on 0800 073 8804.
If you would like more information on how to go about claiming compensation from a responsible party if you suffered a Greek restaurant allergy, please continue reading our guide by clicking on the sections below.
Select a Section
- A Guide To Claims For An Allergic Reaction After Eating At A Greek Restaurant
- What Is A Food Allergy In A Greek Restaurant?
- What Are The Main Foods Which Could Trigger An Allergic Reaction?
- Top Greek Restaurants And Foods
- What Is The Prevalence Of Food Allergies?
- Asking That A Potential Allergen Be Left Out
- What Are My Rights When I Dine In A Restaurant Or Buy A Takeaway?
- Dining Out With A Food Allergy
- Greek Restaurant And Takeaway Allergy Damages Calculator
- No Win No Fee Claims For An Allergic Reaction After Eating At A Greek Restaurant
- Contact Us
- Further Guidance
A Guide To Claims For An Allergic Reaction After Eating At A Greek Restaurant
Our guide to claiming compensation for an allergic reaction to Greek restaurant food provides essential reading on pursuing a personal injury claim against a party responsible for the pain and distress you suffered. We go into the sort of proof you would need to support a personal injury claim. We explain the process of pursuing a claim and how a No Win No Fee solicitor may be able to assist you. In addition, our guide explains what signing a Conditional Fee Agreement with a personal injury lawyer entails and what you can expect when using this service.
We also provide valuable information on how No Win No Fee Agreements work and how you would only have to pay for the legal representation a personal injury solicitor provides once you are awarded compensation for an allergic reaction after eating at a Greek restaurant. Our guide also explains the personal injury time limit associated with this type of claim.
We explain how restaurants must make you aware of ingredients used in their dishes by clearly indicating the relevant information on their menus. Failure to do so or to take note of any allergies you inform them about could give you grounds to claim compensation if you go on to suffer an allergic reaction in a Greek restaurant.
What Is A Food Allergy In A Greek Restaurant?
You could have an allergic reaction to Greek food which occurs when your body’s immune system recognises an allergen as a harmful substance and therefore decides to get rid of it. You may have a minor reaction that could be uncomfortable. This may include the following symptoms:
- Itching
- Hives
- Rhinitis – nasal congestion
- A scratchy feeling throat
- Rash
- Watery/itchy eyes
However, the effects could be more serious and even life-threatening, which is explained below.
Examining Anaphylactic Reactions To Foods
One of the most serious allergic reactions to food or ingredients used in Greek dishes is when a person goes into anaphylactic shock. The symptoms associated with an extremely severe allergic reaction to food is known as anaphylaxis, which is a condition that can have a sudden onset. The symptoms to watch out for are:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the tongue
- Chest tightness
- Difficulty speaking/swallowing
- Experiencing dizziness
- Collapsing
If you suffer anaphylaxis, the condition must be treated as a medical emergency because not doing so could prove fatal. As such, medical attention must be sought immediately.
What Are The Main Foods Which Could Trigger An Allergic Reaction?
You could experience an allergic reaction to a multitude of foods and ingredients found in Greek dishes. It could be something as common as a dairy product, or the reaction could be caused by any of the following:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Tree nuts like almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts or hazelnuts
- Fish
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Wheat
- Soy
- Cereal
- Gluten
- Celery
- Lupin
- Mustard
- Sulphur found in meat, chicken, duck, ham, or turkey
You could suffer a minor allergic reaction to Greek food you ate in a restaurant, or the reaction could be something a lot more serious which requires immediate medical intervention.
For example, if you suffered a reaction due to a Greek yoghurt allergy. due to the dairy, you may suffer digestive issues. However, if you suffered an allergic reaction to Greek food due to another allergen, such as nuts, you could potentially experience life-threatening symptoms and need an Epi-Pen or medical attention.
Can you be allergic to Mediterranean food?
If there is an ingredient in Mediterranean food that you have a reaction to, such as shellfish or gluten, then you may be allergic to it.
For more information on how Legal Expert can help determine whether you have a strong claim against a restaurant, please get in touch today.
Top Greek Restaurants And Foods
Two of the top Greek restaurants in the UK are:
- The Real Greek
- The Athenian
Five Favourite Greek Foods
- Moussaka
- Souvlaki
- Baklava
- Tonia’s Filoxenia
- Chicken Souvlaki
However, you could potentially have an allergic reaction to Greek food of many different varieties. If you’ve been harmed by the mishandling or mislabelling of food, you could potentially claim compensation.
To find out how Legal Expert could be of assistance in determining whether you have a valid claim for compensation against a responsible party, please get in touch with one of our advisors today.
What Is The Prevalence Of Food Allergies?
According to the NHS page on allergies, 1 in 4 people in the UK suffers from some form of allergy whether food-related or to some other allergen like pollen. Most people who experience a common type of allergy will only suffer mild symptoms whereas in other sufferers, the effects can be extremely serious and in some instances, they can be life-threatening.
According to data collection by Allergy UK, the United Kingdom has more allergy sufferers than anywhere else in the world. It is estimated that about 20% of people in the UK suffer from one or more allergies. Research has established that 44% of adults suffer from at least one allergy, with numbers increasing every year. The number of allergy sufferers in the UK rose by 2 million from the year 2008 to 2009 and close to half of these people suffered from one or more allergies.
A study covering the twenty years preceding 2012 found the number of people who suffered an anaphylactic shock and had to be hospitalised rose by 600%.
Some of the most common foods that trigger an allergic reaction typically include the following:
- Nuts
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Shellfish
- Fruit
- Wheat
- Soy
- Cereal
- Gluten
- Celery
If you suffered an allergic reaction in a Greek restaurant and you would like to know if you have a valid personal injury claim against a responsible party, please call an advisor today.
Asking That A Potential Allergen Be Left Out
You have every right to ask that the food served in a Greek restaurant is safe for you to eat. However, the restaurant is under no obligation to do so. With this said, if they agree to serve you food that is ‘safe’ for you to consume, and it contains an allergen you are allergic to which results in you suffering a reaction, it could give you grounds to seek compensation for the suffering you were caused.
What Could Happen If You Do Eat An Allergen?
If you experience an allergic reaction after eating at a Greek restaurant, depending on the severity of your reaction, it’s recommended that you seek medical assistance without delay. Food businesses are obliged to let you know whether they use specific allergens as ingredients in the food and drink they prepare. There are 14 allergens that could trigger an allergic reaction. These are:
- Cereals containing gluten; including oats and barley
- Celery
- Crustaceans, such as crab, prawns, lobster and other shellfish
- Eggs
- Milk
- Fish
- Lupin
- Molluscs, including mussels and oysters
- Mustard
- Peanuts
- Sesame
- Soybeans
- Sulphur dioxide and sulphites with a concentration higher than 10 parts per million
- Tree nuts which include almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, Brazil nuts, pecans, pistachios, and macadamia nuts
If these known allergens are not labelled properly on food, or one is served to you despite your instructions otherwise, and you are harmed as a result, you could potentially claim compensation for an allergic reaction to Greek food.
What Are My Rights When I Dine In A Restaurant Or Buy A Takeaway?
Restaurants and other food retailers/businesses in the UK are not obligated to serve patrons anything they do not want to. As such, they could tell you they cannot serve you any ‘safe’ food. With this said, if a restaurant agrees to serve you, there are several laws in the UK which they must respect. This especially applies to the fact you must be told the ‘truth’ and not be misled in any way.
In December 2014, the European Union Food Information for Consumers Regulation came into effect. This included a change regarding food allergies which obliged businesses to ensure allergy information was provided for any foods that are sold without packaging. Other regulations in place in the UK include the following:
- Article 28 of EC Regulation 178/2002 (General Food Law Regulation)
- Article 14 of EC Regulation 178/2002 (General Food Law Regulation)
- Section 15 of The Food Safety Act 1990
- Section 14 of The Food Safety Act 1990
If a restaurant does not adhere to these laws, and you could prove you were harmed as a result, you could potentially claim compensation.
What Information Do Restaurants Have To Provide Customers?
The law in the UK (Article 14 of the EC General Food Law Regulation) obliges anyone serving or selling food to the public to make sure it is safe for the consumer. This includes detailing ingredients on a label and to provide information relating to anything which may have an adverse health effect.
Article 16 of the Regulation obliges anyone selling or serving food to consumers not to mislead them whether on labelling, advertising, or presentation of foods.
The Food Safety Act 1990 (Section 14) clearly sets out that it is an offence for anyone selling foodstuffs to mislead in terms of the nature, substance or quality of the product demanded by the buyer
As such, if you are sold/served a specific Greek dish that a server/waiter/proprietor has confirmed is free of any specific allergen but later is found to contain the allergen, the ‘food’ may be deemed ‘not of substance’ as demanded by the consumer. In short, the business/restaurant would be contravening UK law.
To find out whether you have a valid allergic reaction claim after eating at a Greek restaurant, please get in touch with one of our advisers today.
Dining Out With A Food Allergy
It is estimated that around 20 million people living in the UK suffer from some kind of allergy, and if you are one of them, it can have a massive impact on your life. You might be wary of eating out if you suffer from any sort of food allergy which is perfectly understandable. However, there are steps you could take to keep yourself safe which are detailed below:
- Ask whether the food you are thinking about ordering contains anything that could trigger an allergic reaction
- Ask how the food is prepared, what ingredients are used and if there could be any cross-contamination
- Ask the person who serves you to note down your allergies so they can make a chef aware of them
- Make sure the dish/dishes you order are free from any allergens or derivatives that could trigger an allergic reaction
- If you think your requests are not being taken seriously, or if a waiter cannot confirm whether any dishes are safe for you to eat, you should avoid eating in that particular restaurant
- Check with a server when your food arrives that it is safe to eat even if you already made them aware of your allergies
- Make sure the food you are served is what you actually ordered
If you would like to discuss your case with one of our advisers, please get in touch today.
Greek Restaurant And Takeaway Allergy Damages Calculator
We have included a table that provides a general idea of how much you could be awarded in a successful claim following an allergic reaction in a Greek restaurant. The amounts provided are taken from the Judicial College Guidelines and cover general damages awarded for the pain and suffering you endured, as well as the impact the reaction had on your life. On top of these general damages, you could also be entitled to claim special damages for all the out of pocket expenses you had to pay out because of your allergic reaction.
| Injury Type | Details | Average Compensation Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Illness Caused by Non-Traumatic Injury (i) | Severe toxicosis resulting in diarrhoea, fever, sickness, severe acute pain. Hospitalisation required to overcome symptoms. | £36,060 to £49,270 |
| Illness Caused by Non-Traumatic Injury (iii) | Significant fatigue, stomach cramps, affected bowel function, discomfort lasting for several weeks. | £3,710 to £8,950 |
| Illness Caused by Non-Traumatic Injury (ii) | Severe food poisoning short lived. Hospitalisation may be necessary | £8,950 to £18,020 |
| Mental anguish | A fear of impending death | Up to £4,380 |
| Bowels (D) | Severe injury of the abdomen causing impairment of function and necessitating temporary colostomy. There will be a restriction on diet and employment. | £41,850 to £65,440 |
For a more accurate idea of the amount of allergic reaction compensation you could be entitled to receive in the way of general damages, please get in touch with one of our friendly advisors today.
How Other Damages May Be Calculated
When it comes to other damages you could include in an allergic reaction in Greek restaurant claim, these are known as special damages. These are awarded to compensate claimants for their out of pocket expenses related to the harm suffered, which could include the following:
- Medical expenses – this could include the cost of prescriptions or private therapy/rehabilitation. To claim these expenses you must produce supporting receipts and evidence
- Care costs – should your injuries be such that you need help around the home during the time it takes you to recover from an allergic reaction to Greek food, you could claim these costs back providing you can produce receipts/evidence of your expenditure
- Travel expenses – you could claim back the cost of getting to the hospital or another medical facility whether you get there and back by car, bus, taxi, or train. Again, you must provide receipts in order to recover these expenses in your claim for an allergic reaction in a Greek restaurant
- Loss of earnings and future income – should your injuries take a long time to heal or prevent you from working again. You must provide documentation to support any loss of earnings or future earnings for these to be accepted when claiming special damages
Because all allergic reaction claims are different, it is advisable to discuss what you may be able to claim back in special damages with a solicitor. This is where Legal Expert can be of assistance, so get in touch with one of our advisors today.
No Win No Fee Claims For An Allergic Reaction After Eating At A Greek Restaurant
Once a personal injury solicitor determines you have a strong allergic reaction claim against a responsible party, you would be offered No Win No Fee terms for the legal representation they provide. This takes all the stress and anxiety of having to pay any upfront or ongoing fees which is one of the main reasons people think twice about seeking compensation.
Conditional Fee Agreements (No Win No Fee Agreements) allow you to seek a level of compensation you rightly deserve if you suffered an allergic reaction to Greek food. This legal contract establishes the terms and conditions of the agreement. It also sets out what is known as the success fee which is only payable when you are awarded compensation. The success fee would be deducted from the money awarded, and the percentage is capped by law, so you won’t lose much of your compensation at all.
If for any reason, your claim for an allergic reaction after eating in a Greek restaurant is not successful, you would not have to pay the success fee to the solicitor. In short, a No Win No Fee Agreement allows you to seek compensation without any financial risk.
To find out how Legal Expert can be of assistance in claiming compensation for the pain and out of pocket expenses you incurred because of an allergic reaction to food in a Greek restaurant, please get in touch today.
Contact Us
If you feel you are ready to make a claim for an allergic reaction after eating at a Greek restaurant and would like to discuss your case with one of our advisors, you can get in touch in the following ways:
- By phone on 0800 073 8804
- By email at office@legalexpert.co.uk – we will answer your message without delay
- By using our Live Chat
- By using our online claim form
Your initial consultation is free of charge and you would be under no pressure or obligation to pursue your case for an allergic reaction after eating at a Greek restaurant if you do not want to.
Further Guidance
The link below provides valuable information on how to go about seeking compensation after suffering an allergic reaction to food eaten in a restaurant:
The link below provides more information on the personal injury claims process if you or someone you know had an allergic reaction:
For more information on what you should do if you suffer an allergic reaction to food, please click on the NHS link provided below:
The Food Standards Agency offers information on what must be done if you or someone else experiences a food allergy reaction:
Guide by Wood
Edited by Billing
