LEGAL investigations are under way after a person was poisoned by a sandwich bought at a Scottish garage, lawyers say.
Experts with Digby Brown Solicitors are probing the case of a woman who was reportedly hospitalised for four days after eating an Asda chicken salad sandwich bought from a Shell garage in Elgin.
It is understood that there could be a route to compensation through either Shell as the vendor or Asda as the producer.
The Elgin case is thought to be linked to E. coli. Across the UK, at least 288 cases have been reported and 128 people admitted to hospital due to an outbreak of the bacteria linked to a type of lettuce, health officials said last week.
A number of food manufacturers have recalled sandwiches, wraps and salads sold in major supermarkets and retail chains over fears they are linked to the outbreak.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said lettuce used in the products is thought to be the likely source of the problems.
The Elgin investigation is understood to be the first legal step in Scotland, where as many as 60 food poisoning cases have been reported.
Mark Gibson, partner at Digby Brown Solicitors and one Scotland’s top food poisoning lawyers, said: “Our involvement is in the very early stages but what I can say is we have been asked to support a person who was poisoned after eating an Asda chicken salad sandwich purchased at a petrol station in Elgin.
“This person suffered really horrendous symptoms and needed hospital treatment – thankfully, they received the right medical care after health professionals confirmed the presence of E. coli.
“The reality is that E.coli can only be confirmed by analysing a blood or stool sample so if anyone has any health concerns the first thing they should do is seek medical advice.
“Having a confirmed diagnosis, in addition to proof of purchase, are the two vital components needed for any food poisoning claim.”
