Norovirus is a debilitating infectious and highly contagious disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract and is spread by person to person contact or from coming into contact with contaminated surfaces. People who spend time in enclosed spaces like hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and nursing homes can be at a higher risk of becoming infected by the virus—especially if employees of those businesses are sick and failed to practice proper hygiene standards, such as hand washing and sanitizing of exposed surfaces.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville norovirus attorneys know that people who are infected with this illness can become very sick very quickly. Complications can often be serious, ranging from serious dehydration and kidney failure to low blood volume (shock) and even swelling of the brain. In some cases, people with weakened immune systems have even gone into comas and died as a result of exposure to the virus.
Although norovirus is highly contagious, it’s up to business owners to prevent their customers and clients from being infected by maintaining excellent cleanliness and hygiene at all times. When they fail to do so, they can be held responsible for the physical, mental, and financial damages that people who become infected by the virus suffer, including:
Because norovirus can cause such severe vomiting and diarrhea, infected people often become severely dehydrated in a matter of hours. Norovirus also makes it difficult to retain fluids, which means the only treatment for the severe dehydration is often intravenous fluids. People infected by norovirus may require transportation to hospitals, extended stays in the emergency room, and prescription medications to aid their recovery—all of which can be extremely expensive.
For many families, even a single day of missed wages can put them in a bind. People who are infected by norovirus may become so dehydrated and weak that it’s impossible for them to work for days or even weeks, depending on the severity of their infection and their illness. That much time away from work can result in losing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars that they need for their families.
People who are infected with norovirus experience severe symptoms that are often painful and cause them to be bedridden for days. During that time, they may become severely dehydrated and unable to take care of their children or other loved ones. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary as more extreme intervention is required to replace lost fluids and fight infection. Although norovirus is rarely fatal, the suffering that victims experience can often be extreme.
Trying to get compensation for the items listed above after a norovirus infection can be difficult. When you get better, your biggest concern is simply getting back to work and taking care of your family—not filling out paperwork and finding ways to link your illness to a hotel or restaurant. At Matt Hardin Law, our legal team can handle all of these aspects of filing a compensation claim while you focus on getting better and getting your life back to normal.
Many cases of norovirus that infect the public are due to negligence, and we believe innocent victims should receive compensation for the affects the illness can have on their health, their finances, and their overall well-being. To find out how our legal team can fight for you after you get sick, dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
“You never think you'll need a lawyer until something terrible happens and you're left feeling alone. I contacted Matt on the recommendation of a friend, and I couldn't be happier with how the entire team guided me through the legal procedure and made me feel important and cared for.”
Jessie
