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Following an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders in the United States, the fast food giant is facing its first lawsuit related to the incident, alleging negligence in food safety practices.
On Wednesday, Texas-based food safety law firm Ron Simon and Associates announced the filing of the first McDonald’s E. coli lawsuit on behalf of Colorado resident Eric Stelly. The lawsuit was filed in Cook County, Illinois.
The lawsuit comes days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers has killed one person and sickened nearly 50 others across 10 states.
The CDC also said Wednesday that the actual number of people affected is likely much higher, and expects to see more cases.
Initial findings from the study indicate that some of the illnesses may be linked to the chopped onions used in the Quarter Pounder. McDonald’s said this in a statement on Tuesday.
McDonald’s removed the Quarter Pounder from the menu at McDonald’s locations in Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, and in parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
The lawsuit alleges that on October 4, Stelly purchased and ate food at a McDonald’s in Breely, Colorado. Two days later, he began experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, stomach cramps, nausea and dehydration, as well as bloody stools. .
E. coli infections are caused by E. coli bacteria, which can be spread through contact with infected people, animals or contaminated surfaces, food or liquids, according to Health Canada. The bacteria can produce toxins that cause symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting and, in severe cases, kidney failure.
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On Oct. 8, the lawsuit said, Stelly sought medical attention at the local hospital, where doctors took a stool culture. It turned out to be positive for E. coli.
His doctor also referred him to specialists at the Centers for Gastroenterology to determine the extent of his disease. A few days later, the Weld County Department of Public Health contacted Stelly about his E. coli diagnosis. The health department confirmed Stelly was sick due to the E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s, the lawsuit said.
Stelly is still recovering from the food poisoning, it added.
The lawsuit goes on to allege that McDonald’s is liable for manufacturing, distributing and marketing “defective and unreasonably dangerous products and introducing them into the flow of commerce.”
Stelly is seeking damages of $50,000.
“The E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s will be one of the most significant food poisoning outbreaks this year,” said Ron Simon, the attorney representing Stelly. and at least 10 other people at the outbreak.
“Through this and other lawsuits, we will ensure that all victims are fully compensated for their losses, that their voices are heard, and that McDonald’s and its suppliers correct the health violations that caused the food to become contaminated with E. coli,” he said Wednesday in a press release.
In response to the outbreak, McDonald’s said it has taken steps to proactively remove shredded onions, which are used for Quarter Pounders in restaurants in select states.
“It is important to note that most menu items are unaffected. Other beef products at McDonald’s, including the cheeseburger, hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble and the Double Cheeseburger, are not affected,” McDonald’s U.S. President Joe Erlinger said. in a video statement Tuesday.
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Katie Dangerfield
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