Plastic Pieces Found in Drink...

by Shelley
(United States)

I stopped at a restaurant to purchase a fruit drink and a couple of meals. When I get home and began to drink I felt pieces of something come through the straw. Assuming this was just pulp I continued to take another drink.

I noticed a sharp piece that I pulled from my throat and it was plastic pieces of something ground into my drink. I made the owner aware of the plastic immediately. He says it was probably a ground up lid. Their insurance company called me to take my statement of what happened.

If I do not have a major injury but my throat was scratched up and pieces were swallowed what can be done if anything at all?

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ANSWER for "Plastic Pieces Found in Drink...":

Shelley:
United States

Having your throat scratched is quite serious. From the facts you present we are unable to tell if you received medical attention. If you did the physician’s Diagnosis of your injury would be very important.

Once your injuries are diagnosed and treated the physician will be able to create a Prognosis which will include a description of your future limitations, if any, and the additional treatment you will need to receive in the near future.

If you have injuries, the costs of treatment, your out of pocket expenses, and any lost wages would all be taken into account if you pursued a claim against the restaurant.

Alternately, if the foreign object scratched your throat, but medical attention was not necessary, you will not have much of a claim. To have a claim you must have damages. Damages are a product of the combination of your medical bills, out of pocket expenses, and possible lost wages. All of these do not have to be included, but at a minimum you would have to have some medical bills.

If you haven’t seen a physician yet, maybe you should. Being sure your throat is not permanently scarred, and that you may not have suffered any injuries which might appear later on is important to know.

When the insurance company’s representative, called a Claims Adjuster, took your statement a claim number, or reference was created. If you have suffered any long-term latent injuries you will be able to refer back to that claim number for future negotiations.

Since laws change frequently and across jurisdictions you should get a personalized case evaluation from an attorney licensed in your state (if you haven't already). Find an experienced local attorney to give you a FREE personalized case review here.


Best of luck,

Law Guy