An enjoyable meal out should never end in hospital or distress. Yet allergic reactions in restaurants remain common across the UK, and Pizza Express is no exception. If you suffer an allergic reaction after eating food there and it was not your fault, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
This guide will help you understand when a claim may be possible, what evidence you’ll need, how compensation is calculated, and how the No Win No Fee process works.
Understanding Restaurant Liability
Every restaurant in the UK, including Pizza Express, has a legal duty of care towards its customers. That means the business must take reasonable steps to ensure the food it serves is safe to eat and that you are given clear, accurate information about allergens.
If a restaurant fails in that duty—by mis-labelling allergens, providing wrong information, or ignoring a request to remove an ingredient—it could amount to negligence. In such cases, you may be able to bring a claim.
Examples of negligence include:
- Failing to highlight allergens on menus or signs.
- Providing inaccurate information when you ask about allergens.
- Allowing cross-contamination between foods during preparation.
- Ignoring a customer’s clear request to exclude an allergen from a meal.
Do You Need To Tell Pizza Express About Your Allergy?
You are encouraged to inform restaurant staff about your allergies before ordering, but the law does not make this compulsory. Restaurants must still provide correct allergen information whether or not they have been told about a customer’s allergy.
If you asked a question and were given wrong information—or the menu itself was misleading—you could still have grounds to claim. Even if you did not inform the staff, you might be eligible if the reaction happened because the allergen details provided were incorrect or incomplete.
Common Causes Of Allergic Reactions In Restaurants
Many allergy incidents happen not because of the customer’s mistake but due to avoidable errors behind the scenes. Some common examples include:
- A waiter failing to note your request to remove an ingredient.
- A chef using contaminated utensils or chopping boards.
- A product or garnish containing undeclared allergens.
- A “may contain” warning being ignored or omitted.
- Takeaway orders mixed up with another customer’s meal.
Any of these could leave you seriously unwell, particularly if you suffer from nut, dairy, gluten, egg or seafood allergies.
Recognising The Symptoms Of An Allergic Reaction
If you experience any of the following after eating at Pizza Express, you may be suffering from an allergic reaction:
- Red, itchy skin or hives.
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or around the eyes.
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
- Wheezing, dizziness, or difficulty breathing.
- A feeling of tightness in the throat.
In the most serious cases, an anaphylactic reaction can occur. This is a medical emergency. Dial 999 immediately if breathing becomes difficult or the person collapses.
What To Do Immediately After A Reaction
Your health comes first, but once you are safe, there are a few practical steps that can strengthen your case later on:
- Seek medical attention. Obtain a clear diagnosis and ensure the reaction is recorded in your medical notes.
- Keep your receipt and order details. They show what you bought and where.
- Save a sample or photograph the food. If possible, it can later be tested for allergens.
- Ask witnesses for their contact details. Friends or staff may be able to confirm what happened.
- Report the incident to the restaurant manager and note their response.
- Write everything down. Record when symptoms started and what medical care you received.
These simple actions provide essential evidence for your solicitor.
Collecting Evidence For Your Claim
Strong evidence makes a stronger claim. Besides the items above, your solicitor may also use:
- Photographs of menus or allergy boards. These can show missing or inaccurate information.
- Medical reports from your GP or hospital visit, confirming the allergic reaction.
- Communication records, such as emails to Pizza Express or complaints submitted.
- Expense receipts, to support a claim for financial losses.
Your lawyer may also arrange an independent medical assessment. This helps prove the severity of your reaction and whether it was caused or worsened by the incident.
How Compensation Is Calculated
Compensation in allergic reaction claims is usually split into two parts: general damages and special damages.
General Damages
This covers the pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life you experienced. The amounts are guided by the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which solicitors and courts use to value injuries.
Below are some typical guideline amounts (figures are approximate):
| Type of allergic reaction | Description | Guideline compensation range |
| Severe, lasting symptoms | Hospital treatment for several days or weeks, continuing impact on daily life | £36,000 – £49,000 |
| Serious but short-lived | Intense sickness, vomiting and diarrhoea lasting a few weeks | £9,000 – £18,000 |
| Moderate | Cramps, stomach pain and fatigue with full recovery within a year | £3,700 – £9,000 |
| Mild | Temporary discomfort, cramps or rash lasting days | Up to £3,700 |
Your individual payout will depend on the medical evidence, the duration of your symptoms and the effect on your daily life.
Special Damages
Special damages cover any financial losses you suffer because of the reaction, such as:
- Lost earnings if you had to take time off work.
- Future loss of income if your condition affects your ability to work long-term.
- Medical expenses, including prescriptions or private treatment.
- Travel costs for attending appointments.
- Care costs if someone had to help you during recovery.
Keep receipts, bank statements and payslips to support these claims.
What Laws Protect You As A Customer
Several UK laws and regulations work together to protect diners:
- Food Information Regulations 2014 (as amended): Require restaurants to clearly declare any of 14 recognised allergens in their dishes.
- Food Safety Act 1990: Makes it an offence to sell food that is unsafe or not as described.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015: Ensures products and services—including restaurant meals—must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose.
- Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957: Requires businesses to take reasonable care to ensure visitors are safe on their premises.
If Pizza Express or another restaurant breaches these duties and you are harmed, you could have a valid claim.
Can You Claim If You Ordered Takeaway Or Delivery?
Yes. The same duty of care applies whether you dine in, collect a takeaway or use a delivery app. Pizza Express must ensure allergen information is clearly available online or on packaging. If you were mis-informed through their website or delivery partner and suffered an allergic reaction, you may still be eligible to claim.
What If The Menu Said “May Contain”?
Some dishes carry “may contain” warnings because they are prepared in environments where allergens are present. If such a warning was clearly displayed and you chose to eat the meal, claiming compensation may be harder—but not always impossible.
If you can show that the risk was greater than described or that cross-contamination occurred due to poor hygiene, your solicitor can still investigate liability.
Time Limits For Making A Claim
In most personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the allergic reaction to start your claim.
There are exceptions:
- For children, the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday.
- For those who lack mental capacity, there is no time limit until capacity is regained.
Acting sooner is always advisable, as evidence can fade or be lost over time.
No Win No Fee Allergic Reaction Claims
Many solicitors offer to handle allergic reaction claims on a No Win No Fee basis, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement.
This means:
- You pay nothing upfront.
- You pay no legal fees if the claim fails.
- If the claim succeeds, the solicitor takes a small, capped percentage of your compensation as their success fee.
This arrangement allows you to pursue justice without financial risk.
Example Scenario
Imagine you ordered a pizza from Pizza Express and specifically asked for no cheese due to a dairy allergy. The waiter confirmed your request, but the kitchen staff failed to remove the cheese. Shortly after eating, you suffered swelling and breathing difficulty, requiring hospital treatment.
In this case, the restaurant’s failure to follow your request and ensure allergen-safe preparation could be clear negligence. With evidence such as your order receipt, medical records and witness statements, you could seek compensation for both your suffering and financial losses.
Why Evidence Matters Most
Courts and insurers rely heavily on documentation. Even a strong verbal account may not be enough on its own.
To help your solicitor build the best case:
- Keep every receipt, menu copy and medical note.
- Record your symptoms daily while recovering.
- Obtain statements from friends or family who witnessed the reaction.
- Save emails or messages exchanged with the restaurant.
These details can make a major difference to the success of your claim.
How A Solicitor Can Help
A personal injury solicitor experienced in food allergy claims will:
- Assess your case for free and explain your legal options.
- Collect evidence such as medical reports and witness statements.
- Negotiate with Pizza Express or its insurer for a fair settlement.
- Represent you on a No Win No Fee basis, keeping you informed throughout.
Their goal is to ensure you receive the maximum compensation available while reducing stress and paperwork.
Allergy Statistics In The UK
According to Allergy UK, over 20 percent of people in the UK suffer from at least one allergic condition. Hospital admissions due to anaphylaxis have risen dramatically in the past two decades.
With allergies becoming more common, awareness and compliance with allergen laws are vital. Restaurants that fail to follow safety procedures put customers at real risk—and can face serious legal and reputational consequences.
Final Checklist Before Making A Claim
Before speaking to a solicitor, it helps to have these details ready:
- The date and time of the incident.
- The restaurant branch where you ate.
- A description of what you ordered and any special requests.
- The symptoms you experienced and how long they lasted.
- Copies of medical records, receipts, and photos.
Even if you are unsure whether you have a strong case, it is worth seeking free legal advice. A quick conversation can clarify your rights and next steps.
Conclusion
Suffering an allergic reaction after eating at Pizza Express can be frightening and disruptive. While you cannot always prevent accidents, you are entitled to accurate allergen information and safe food preparation.
If the restaurant failed in that duty and you became ill, you have every right to seek compensation. With clear evidence and guidance from a skilled solicitor, you can recover not only financially but with peace of mind that accountability has been achieved.