At Least 25 Sickened at Wedding Celebration in Riverside County
At Least 25 Sickened at Wedding Celebration in Riverside County
A criminal investigation has been launched after two-dozen people became ill, five of them seriously, at a theme-venue wedding celebration on Sept. 8. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, fire officials arrived at the venue in the 31100 block of San Timoteo Canyon Road in an unincorporated area north of Moreno Valley.
Ongoing Investigation
The agency reported that five guests suffered major injuries, nine sustained moderate injuries and 12 had minor injuries. Some guests were transported by ambulance and a police bus to area hospitals. Five were taken from the scene vomiting violently. There is no indication on the venue’s website that food preparation is done there and says the wedding parties can provide their own vendors.
The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health also responded to the investigation, but a spokeswoman told the Press Enterprise that the Sheriff’s Department, which is looking into whether a crime had been committed, is now handling the investigation. Hazardous materials had been ruled out initially, but the investigation is still ongoing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been injured in this apparent food poisoning incident. We wish all the victims the very best for a quick and full recovery.
Causes and Compensation Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that almost all of those injured were guests at a wedding celebration. There are, however, a number of unanswered questions. Where did the food come from? Was it made at the venue or was it brought in by caterers, a restaurant or some other parties? Was this a criminal act or was it caused by negligent food preparation and handling? These are just some of the questions that must be answered in order to determine precisely what occurred here.
If food poisoning caused the illnesses, any entity that prepared or handled the food can be held responsible for the injuries and damages caused. Victims can seek compensation from the at-fault parties for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization costs and pain and suffering. They would also be well advised to contact an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
