You may have read news headlines about fatalities caused by allergic reactions resulting from poor food labelling. Thankfully, most allergic reactions are not as severe, and symptoms are less serious. However, food businesses do have an obligation to ensure their customers have all of the relevant information about allergens that could be present in their food. If they don’t and the customer does suffer an allergic reaction, they could be entitled to make a claim due to the business’ negligence.
This guide is going to explain when you could make a claim for an allergic reaction after eating in Prezzo. We’ll consider why they might be liable for your suffering, the types of mistakes that could lead to a claim and the amount of compensation that could be claimed.
If you’re thinking of making a claim, Legal Helpline could assist you. Our team provides free advice on claiming as well as a no-obligation consultation about the claim. If after reviewing your case, the advisor believes you have a chance of success, they could link you with a personal injury lawyer from our panel. To remove a lot of the barriers to claiming, they’ll carry out work they agree to on a No Win No Fee basis.
Are you ready to begin your claim right away? If so call us now on 0161 696 9685. Alternatively, please carry on through this guide about claiming for an allergic reaction in Prezzo.
Jump To A Section
- A Guide To Claiming For A Food Allergy In A Prezzo Restaurant
- What Are Food Allergies And Food Intolerances?
- How Commonly Are People Affected By Food Allergies?
- What Happens If Your Request For An Allergen To Be Left Out Is Ignored?
- What Mistakes Or Negligence Could Cause Exposure To An Allergen?
- How Restaurant Customers Are Protected In Law
- Could You Claim If You Did Not Notify A Restaurant About Your Allergy?
- Foods Which Might Commonly Trigger Allergic Reactions
- Allergen And Menu Information For Prezzo
- Calculating Compensation For A Food Allergy Triggered In A Prezzo Restaurant
- How Special Damages Could Compensate You
- No Win No Fee Claims For An Allergic Reaction After Eating In Prezzo
- Contacting Legal Helpline Today
- References
A Guide To Claiming For A Food Allergy In A Prezzo Restaurant
While not all allergic reactions are serious, they can be very inconvenient and sometimes embarrassing. Therefore, it’s worth noting that a reaction doesn’t need to be life-threatening for you to be able to claim. The incident does need to have been caused by a negligent act, though. So, in this guide, we’ll consider what types of negligence could lead to an allergic reaction and might entitle you to be compensated.
Something that’s really important when making a claim is to ensure you do so within the personal injury claims time limit. There’s a limitation period of 3 years which usually begins from the date that the allergic reaction incident happened. If you don’t start your claim on time, you could lose out on any compensation you could’ve been entitled to receive.
Some people think that 3 years is a long time and don’t contact a solicitor right away. Our advice is to start as soon as possible. Doing so will mean all of the information is still fresh and you’ll also give the solicitor enough time to do their job and collate the evidence required to support your claim.
After you’ve completed this guide, please speak to us if you require any additional information or if you’d like to start your claim. Although the information presented here is about claims for an allergic reaction after eating in Prezzo, it could be used to claim against similar establishments.
What Are Food Allergies And Food Intolerances?
You might not realise it but allergic reactions happen because of a mistake by the immune system. According to NHS advice, when you eat a particular ingredient, the immune system can wrongly diagnose it as being dangerous to you. At that point, antibodies (including histamine) are sent to try and protect you, but it is those antibodies which cause allergic reaction symptoms.
There are many common symptoms such as hives (a red rash), dizziness, nausea and vomiting. In minor cases, these symptoms are inconvenient but will pass fairly swiftly. In more severe allergic reactions, though anaphylaxis can occur which is life-threatening because it can affect the victim’s ability to breath properly.
What Are Food Allergies Caused By Dining At A Prezzo Restaurant?
As you can see from the previous section, allergic reactions are nobody’s fault. That means you might question why you could claim compensation after suffering one. Well, legislation in the UK places a duty of care on restaurants such as Prezzo to clearly highlight when an allergen is used or might be present in their food.
If they breach that duty of care, and you suffer an allergic reaction as a result, you could be eligible to make a compensation claim against them provided you can prove the failings of the restaurant. If that’s the path you’re considering following, please let Legal Helpline assess your claim for free.
How Commonly Are People Affected By Food Allergies?
It’s really quite staggering how many people in the UK suffer from an allergy, especially to those who don’t suffer from them. For your information, we’ve provided some statistics released by Allergy UK, a charity who support sufferers.
- The number of people affected by allergies in the UK is rising. Between 2008 and 2009 the number rose by nearly 2 million.
- 44% of adults are affected by at least one allergy in the UK and, of those, 48% suffer from multiple allergies.
- In 2013, 19.2% of all hospital emergency admissions were attributed to anaphylactic shock and a further 19.2% by general allergic reactions.
What Happens If Your Request For An Allergen To Be Left Out Is Ignored?
In restaurants like Prezzo where hot food is prepared and eaten onsite, customers are sometimes able to ask for an ingredient to be removed at the point of purchase. It may be the case that the request isn’t possible, and the customer will be asked to select another option.
If the member of staff agrees to the customer’s request though, the restaurant could be found liable if the customer suffers an allergic reaction because the ingredient wasn’t removed properly. Here are some items that you may ask to be removed from your meal:
- No Fish
- No Cheese
- No Nuts
- No Wheat
- No Milk
- No Eggs
- No Oats
If this has happened to you, then you may be able to begin a claim. Witness statements along with receipts displaying your bespoke request could be used as evidence to help with this type of claim.
What Mistakes Or Negligence Could Cause Exposure To An Allergen?
No food retailer would deliberately withhold information about allergens and most spend a lot of money and time ensuring the information they provide is accurate and meets legal requirements. They also put a lot of effort into training their staff to ensure they can help meet their customer’s expectations.
However, the following accidents or negligence could still happen and could entitle you to seek compensation:
- Failing to display allergen information in a highly visible location.
- Not adhering to food safety training when preparing a meal leading to cross-contamination.
- Using ingredients that were not listed on the menu.
- Staff mistakes when informing customers about allergens that could be present.
If any of the above has caused you to suffer an allergic reaction after eating at Prezzo and you can evidence the failings of the restaurant, speak with us today to see if you could begin a claim.
How Restaurant Customers Are Protected In Law
There are several pieces of legislation regarding food sales in the UK. One such piece is the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Act covers purchase in general, not just food products, but means that anything you purchase needs to arrive as described and fit for its intended purpose.
That means you could claim compensation if the product came without any allergens listed on its packaging or if it is cross-contaminated with an allergen due to it being prepared near one. In the second scenario, a food producer could reduce the risk by including a “may contain” warning on menus or packaging.
Could You Claim If You Did Not Notify A Restaurant About Your Allergy?
You might think that a restaurant couldn’t be found liable for an allergy you didn’t tell them about. Well, even though it seems a good idea to check with staff about potential allergens, they have a duty of care to ensure you can make an informed decision even if you fail to mention that’s the case. That means you could still make a compensation claim against the restaurant if you suffered a reaction despite not telling them about your allergy. In such cases, supplying evidence of how the restaurant breached its duty of care is very important.
Failures To Provide Allergy And Allergen Information
In the case above, you could make a claim if the restaurant doesn’t display adequate advice on allergens. There are a number of ways they could do this:
- Listing allergens on the menu.
- Staff providing information when asked.
- Displaying a prominent sign which tells you where you can locate allergen details.
If none of the above happened, and you suffered a reaction as a result, we could help you seek compensation for your suffering.
Foods Which Might Commonly Trigger Allergic Reactions
Some allergens are well known because there are horrific stories about incidents involving them online and in the press (such as a nut allergy). However, not all allergens are as well known. Therefore, for your guidance, we’ve provided a detailed list below:
- Sulphur dioxide allergies
- Cereal allergies
- Lupin allergies
- Gluten allergies
- Milk allergies
- Dairy allergies
- Wheat allergies
- Soy allergies
- Fruit allergies
- Milk allergies
- Egg allergies
- Shellfish allergies
- Celery allergies
- Seafood allergies
- Fish allergies
- Mustard allergies
- Nut allergies
You may be entitled to claim for an allergic reaction caused by any of the allergens in the list if you can show that advice or information regarding allergens was missing or incorrect. To clarify if that’s the case, why not check with a member of our team today?
Allergen And Menu Information For Prezzo
In this section, we’ve listed the main items offered for sale in Prezzo at the time of writing. You might find the menu is subject to change because many restaurants have had to reduce how many options they provide to try and keep staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starters
- Olives
- Crispy Fried Mozzarella
- Italian Hummus
- Calamari
- Giant Meatballs
- Garlic Bread
- Garlic Bread With Balsamic Onions And Mozzarella
Pizza
- Margherita
- Tre Gusti
- Mushroom
- Prosciutto & Mushroom
- Vesuvio
- Posh Pepperoni
- Pepperoni
Calzone
- Tre Carni
Pasta
- Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Spaghetti & Meatballs
- Spaghetti With King Prawns
- Oak-Smoked Salmon PEnne
- Traditional Lasagne
- Penne Alla Rusticana
Risotto
- King Prawn & Salmon Risotto
Grills & Salads
- Chicken, Bacon & Avocado
- Grilled Chicken Burger
- Grilled Chicken Breast With Mushrooms
- Calabrese Burger
Sides
- House Fried
- Rocket Salad
- Garlic Bread
- Mixed Salad
If you believe that inadequate allergen advice was to blame for you suffering an allergic reaction after eating any of the items listed, we could help you claim against Prezzo as long as you can evidence how the restaurant breached its duty of care. Such evidence can include photos of signage and menus. If you’re unsure, contact us for a no-obligation assessment of your claim.
Calculating Compensation For A Food Allergy Triggered In A Prezzo Restaurant
So far, we’ve concentrated on how you might suffer an allergic reaction after eating in Prezzo and when you might be eligible to claim compensation. Therefore, it’s time to look at how much compensation you could be paid.
As each and every claim is unique, we don’t like to use a personal injury compensation calculator as they can cause some confusion. Instead, when your claim has been reviewed by a solicitor on our panel, you’ll receive a more accurate estimate once they’ve understood how you’ve been affected. For now, we’ve provided the following table that shows some example compensation amounts that could be paid for allergic reactions.
Claim Type Experienced Symptoms Compensation Range
Illness (severe) This compensation bracket covers the most severe symptoms. Hospitalisation will be required for a matter of weeks and some symptoms might be longer-term. £36,060 to £49,270
Illness (serious) The symptoms of this type of illness will be serious but relatively short-lived. £8,950 to £18,020
Illness This type of illness might only result in minor symptoms but some days in hospital might be required. £3,710 to £8,950
Illness (minor) This type of illness will only last for a period of days or weeks. From around £860 to £3,710
The above table is based on compensation guidelines issued by the Judicial College, an organisation that reviews awards made by the courts.
When you request compensation, the insurer representing the defendant will want to see evidence that shows the level of suffering you sustained. That’s why your solicitor will arrange for you to see a local specialist for a medical assessment during the claims process. They’ll discuss your injuries with you and review your medical records. Then a report will be produced to show:
- The injuries or illnesses you suffered with.
- How they affected your life.
- Whether you’ll continue to suffer symptoms in the future.
How Special Damages Could Compensate You
General damages are paid to cover your pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused as a result of your allergic reaction (the figures from the last section were for this type of compensation). However, it’s important to know that it’s not just suffering that you can claim compensation for. You’re also able to ask for any expenses you’ve incurred because of your reaction.
This type of compensation is known as special damages and aims to ensure you’re no worse off than you were prior to the incident occurring. The different parts of your claim can include:
- Lost earnings. When you take time off work to visit a doctor or recuperate at home, you may be left out of pocket if you don’t receive sick pay. If that’s the case, you could ask for any lost earnings to be paid back.
- Future lost income. When your allergic reaction leaves you with long-term problems, your ability to work could be affected. If that happens, you could request that future lost earnings are compensated for as well.
- Travel-related costs. Should you have to make special arrangements to travel because you’re not able to drive while recovering, any costs you incur could be claimed back.
- Care costs. While you’re ill, you might need somebody to support you with everyday tasks. When that happens, you might ask for compensation to cover their time (in the case of a loved one who looked after you) or their fees.
- Medical Expenses. Should you end up paying for over the counter medication, prescription costs or non-NHS treatment, you could ask for these costs to be paid back.
Please discuss any expenses you’d like to claim back with a member of our team to clarify if you’re able to do so.
No Win No Fee Claims For An Allergic Reaction After Eating In Prezzo
When deciding whether to seek compensation or not, one factor that might put you off is how much a personal injury solicitor will charge you. We understand that concern so we work with a panel of specialist solicitors who will carry out any work they take on using a No Win No Fee service. Not only does that reduce your financial worries, but it also reduces a lot of potential stress too.
When we refer you to a solicitor from our panel, they’ll need to check that the claim is viable before agreeing to proceed. If both parties are happy to work together, you’ll get a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) to read and sign. The CFA is a No Win No Fee agreement and it will be used to fund your claim.
Using this method of claiming benefits you in several ways:
- No upfront payments are needed, which means the solicitor can process your claim right away.
- There are no solicitor’s fees requested during the claims process.
- In the event that your claim doesn’t work out, you won’t be asked to pay any solicitor’s fees at all.
When a claim is won, the solicitor will keep a small portion of any compensation received to cover their costs, time and effort. This will be listed in the CFA as the ‘success fee’ you’ll pay. Don’t worry too much though because success fees are legally capped.
Let us check your eligibility to use a No Win No Fee service by calling our team today.
Contacting Legal Helpline Today
Thanks for stopping by and reading this guide about claims for an allergic reaction after eating at Prezzo. We’d like to help you begin a claim if that’s what you’ve decided to do. If you want to get in touch with us, here are your options:
- Telephone a specialist advisor on 0161 696 9685 today for allergic reaction claims advice.
- Ask an online advisor for free guidance using our live chat channel.
- Email us at [email protected] with an explanation of what happened.
- Fill in our online enquiry form to request a call at a time which suits you.
When you decide to contact us, we’ll follow a process where your claim will be assessed, for free, by a specialist advisor. They’ll look at how you’ve suffered and what evidence you have to support the claim. If they conclude that there is a chance your claim will be successful, then you’ll be connected with a personal injury lawyer from our panel. They will reduce your financial risk by providing a No Win No Fee service if they take your claim on.
References
This is the last part of our guide about claiming for an allergic reaction after eating in Prezzo. We aimed to provide you with enough information to decide whether you had a valid claim and we hope that we have done so. In case you require any further information, we’ve linked to some extra resources below. Do feel free to contact our team if there’s anything else you need to know.
Allergic Reaction Claims FAQ – A detailed look at different types of allergic reaction claims.
Seafood Allergy Claims – This article looks at when you might make a personal injury claim following an allergic reaction to seafood.
Domino’s Pizza Claims – A look at when you may be entitled to ask for compensation after eating at Domino’s.
Allergy Alerts – A useful alert system from the Food Standards Agency to let you know if a product is recalled because it includes an allergen that’s not been declared.
The Food Safety Act 1990 – A key piece of legislation which food-related business must abide by.
Managing A Food Allergy – This factsheet, from Allergy UK, provides some practical steps you can take to manage your allergy.
Guide by BE
Edited by REG