770.427.5498 
We hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday! The attorneys and staff members at Jones & Swanson had a great break, but we’re happy to get back into the swing of things this week.
According to the National Safety Council, December 1 through 7 is National Handwashing Awareness Week. We want to educate readers about the importance of diligent handwashing and cleanliness. The Principles of Hand Awareness include washing your hands any time that they are dirty, as well as before eating anything. You should also avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands. Perhaps the most important principle is that you should not place your fingers into your nose, mouth, or eyes, as these areas are packed with germs.
It is even more important for health professionals and food service workers to practice appropriate hand cleaning, as their patients and customers are affected first hand by negligence.
Medical malpractice claims sometimes stem from improper cleanliness of hands or instruments that are used while treating or operating on patients. By being negligent in elementary areas, such as cleaning your hands and tools properly, patients can experience infections, loss of limbs, and possibly even death. For this reason, we urge all medical professionals and staff members at medical facilities to follow the proper hand washing and instrument disinfecting procedures in an effort to keep patients safe and your practice out of hot water with potential lawsuits.
Sometimes individuals can bring personal injury lawsuits against companies for failing to follow the proper cleanliness procedures if their negligence results in serious personal injury or death. For instance, food allergies are common nowadays. The FDA lists the eight most common food allergens including milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. In addition to these, there are over 150 other foods that can cause allergic reactions to people. If a food service worker fails to appropriately clean their hands and tools used to prepare foods between each customer, these allergic reactions can occur. The smallest amount of a food can cause an allergic reaction for some people, so it is important that food service workers wash their hands, as well as use clean tools in the creation of food, so that customers are not harmed or killed.
Cleanliness is expected by patients and customers across America. Unfortunately, the proper cleaning procedures are not always followed. This can result in infections, allergic reactions, and even death. If you or someone you know were involved in such an experience, you may have a legal claim for damages. Contact Jones & Swanson today for a free consultation at (770) 427-5498.
