AZE.US
A recent mass food poisoning case in the city of Shirvan has again drawn attention to food safety standards in Azerbaijan’s public catering sector and to the legal liability restaurants may face when customers are harmed.
The incident occurred at the Pizza Time restaurant, where the number of people reported poisoned has risen to 15. The venue’s operations have been suspended, while the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency continue their investigation.
Legal experts say that in cases like this, affected customers may have the right to seek compensation not only for damage to their health, but also for emotional distress.
According to lawyer Rahim Khoyski, under Azerbaijani law, a person who suffers poisoning at a restaurant, café, or other food establishment can sue the business and demand compensation for both material and moral damages.
He said the Civil Code provides that harm caused by defects in a service must be compensated by the party that provided that service. If the damage stems from a defective product, the injured person may seek compensation either from the seller or from the producer.
In practice, that means a victim of food poisoning may claim reimbursement for medical expenses, compensation for lost income if they were unable to work, and damages for the physical and emotional suffering caused by the incident.
To make such a claim, however, evidence is crucial. Customers need to prove they ate at the establishment, for example by presenting a receipt or payment record. They also need medical documentation or an expert opinion confirming that the poisoning was caused by food consumed there.
After collecting that evidence, the first step is usually to send a formal complaint to the restaurant. If the matter is not resolved, the injured person can then take the case to court.
The Shirvan case is also a warning to restaurant owners and other food businesses. Ignoring sanitary standards can lead not only to administrative fines, but also to business closure, court claims, and potentially substantial compensation payments.
As public awareness grows and more consumers turn to both social media and legal channels, pressure on food establishments to meet safety standards is likely to increase.