Note: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Actual settlements vary based on jurisdiction, evidence, and liability.
Food Poisoning Claim Calculator
Food poisoning can range from a few uncomfortable days to severe, life-threatening conditions requiring hospitalization. If you have suffered illness due to contaminated food served at a restaurant, bought from a grocery store, or supplied by a vendor, you may be entitled to compensation. This calculator helps estimate the potential value of a personal injury claim based on "General Damages" (pain and suffering) and "Special Damages" (financial losses).
How Compensation is Calculated
In legal terms, compensation for food poisoning is generally split into two distinct categories:
1. General Damages (Pain and Suffering)
This covers the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the illness. Unlike bills, this doesn't have a specific receipt. Courts and insurance adjusters often use a multiplier method or daily rate ("per diem") based on the severity and duration of the illness.
Mild Cases: Usually involve stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea lasting a few days to a week.
Moderate Cases: May include severe dehydration, fatigue, and symptoms lasting several weeks, possibly requiring IV fluids.
Severe Cases: Involve hospitalization, long-term conditions (like IBS), or permanent organ damage.
2. Special Damages (Economic Losses)
These are the quantifiable financial costs you incurred as a direct result of the food poisoning. To claim these, you typically need receipts or employment records.
Medical Expenses: Co-pays, prescription costs, hospital bills, and over-the-counter medication.
Lost Income: If you missed work to recover, you are entitled to be reimbursed for those lost wages.
Incidental Costs: Transportation costs to the doctor, parking fees, or costs for childcare while you were incapacitated.
Example Calculation
Consider a scenario where an individual suffers moderate food poisoning from a restaurant meal:
Item
Details
Estimated Value
Duration
Sick for 10 days
–
Medical Bills
Urgent care visit + Meds
$350
Lost Wages
5 days missed work
$1,000
Pain & Suffering
Moderate severity multiplier
~$2,500
Total Estimate
Combined Damages
~$3,850
Steps to Strengthen Your Claim
To maximize your chances of a successful settlement, ensure you:
Seek Medical Attention: A medical record linking your illness to a pathogen (like Salmonella or E. Coli) is the strongest evidence.
Report the Incident: Notify the local health department and the establishment where you ate.
Keep Receipts: Save the receipt for the food and all medical expenses.
Document Everything: Keep a diary of your symptoms and days missed from work.
function calculateClaim() {
// 1. Get Inputs
var severity = document.getElementById('severity').value;
var recoveryDays = parseFloat(document.getElementById('recoveryDays').value);
var medicalExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById('medicalExpenses').value);
var lostWages = parseFloat(document.getElementById('lostWages').value);
var otherCosts = parseFloat(document.getElementById('otherCosts').value);
// 2. Validation / Defaulting to 0 if empty
if (isNaN(recoveryDays)) recoveryDays = 0;
if (isNaN(medicalExpenses)) medicalExpenses = 0;
if (isNaN(lostWages)) lostWages = 0;
if (isNaN(otherCosts)) otherCosts = 0;
// 3. Calculate Special Damages (Hard Costs)
var specialDamages = medicalExpenses + lostWages + otherCosts;
// 4. Calculate General Damages (Pain and Suffering)
// Logic: Base amount + (Daily Rate * Days)
// These numbers are estimations based on typical PI multipliers
var basePain = 0;
var dailyRate = 0;
var multiplier = 1; // Used for range calculation
if (severity === 'mild') {
// Mild: $500 – $3000 range typically
basePain = 500;
dailyRate = 150;
// Cap mild cases realistically (e.g., usually settle fast)
} else if (severity === 'moderate') {
// Moderate: $3000 – $10000 range
basePain = 2500;
dailyRate = 350;
} else if (severity === 'severe') {
// Severe: $10000+
basePain = 8000;
dailyRate = 600;
}
var generalDamages = basePain + (dailyRate * recoveryDays);
// Apply caps/adjustments based on realistic legal outcomes
if (severity === 'mild' && generalDamages > 4000) generalDamages = 4000;
// 5. Calculate Total Range
// Legal outcomes are never exact. We provide a range.
var totalBase = generalDamages + specialDamages;
var lowEstimate = totalBase * 0.85; // -15% variance
var highEstimate = totalBase * 1.15; // +15% variance
// 6. Formatting Helpers
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
minimumFractionDigits: 0,
maximumFractionDigits: 0,
});
// 7. Output Results
document.getElementById('result-container').style.display = 'block';
document.getElementById('generalDamagesDisplay').innerText = formatter.format(generalDamages);
document.getElementById('specialDamagesDisplay').innerText = formatter.format(specialDamages);
document.getElementById('totalRangeDisplay').innerText =
formatter.format(lowEstimate) + " – " + formatter.format(highEstimate);
}