Food allergies can pose serious risks to individuals, and when those allergies lead to harm, navigating the legal landscape becomes crucial. Understanding the nuances of negligence, duty of care, and relevant statutes is essential for individuals seeking legal recourse due to food allergy-related incidents in the Sunshine State.
Florida law recognizes the seriousness of allergies and imposes liability on businesses that fail to take reasonable precautions to protect their customers with allergies. Liability for allergies in Florida can arise in several contexts.
Under Florida law, food service businesses have a legal duty to warn customers of potential allergens in their food. Failure to warn customers of potential allergens can result in liability for any injuries that result, prompting the need for Food Allergy Lawyers. In addition, businesses may also be held liable if they fail to properly prepare or handle food, resulting in cross- contamination or exposure to allergens.
Florida’s Food Allergy Awareness Act requires restaurants to take reasonable steps to accommodate customers with food allergies. Specifically, restaurants must post notices that inform customers that they can request special accommodations for their food allergies.
Restaurants must also train their employees to handle food allergies and to properly prepare and serve food for customers with food allergies.