As concern spreads across the nation regarding a recent outbreak of E. coli infections linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers, consumers have filed a lawsuit alleging they would not have purchased food from the fast-food giant if it had disclosed the E. coli risk.
At least 75 people have been sickened across the nation, and one death has been reported due to E. coli at McDonald’s.
The proposed class action lawsuit against McDonald’s seeks justice and compensation for those potentially affected by the E. coli contamination. In this blog post, we explore the details of the lawsuit and the legal implications for McDonald’s while answering key questions that consumers have about the situation.
Understanding the E. Coli Outbreak at McDonald's - What Happened?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) have been investigating an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. Per a CDC Food Safety Alert, the outbreak is linked to the onions in McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers, with numerous cases emerging across multiple states.
The onions implicated in the McDonald’s E. coli outbreak are from Taylor Farms. According to the FDA, “[f]ood service customers should not eat, sell, or serve Taylor Farms recalled yellow onions and should follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice and use extra care in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with the recalled product to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.”
Which McDonald’s Stores Are Impacted by E. Coli?
In response to the outbreak, McDonald’s has halted the use of fresh slivered onions and Quarter Pounder beef patties in various states, including:
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Utah
- Wyoming
McDonald’s stores in parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have also stopped selling the affected onions from Taylor Farms.
McDonald’s E. Coli Class Action Lawsuit: McCray et al v McDonald's USA LLC
The proposed class action lawsuit was filed on October 29, 2024, in Chicago federal court on behalf of plaintiffs Amanda McCray of Chicago and William Michael Kraft of Davie, Florida. Both claimants allegedly experienced symptoms associated with E. coli infection after consuming McDonald's Quarter Pounders. The McDonald’s E. coli class action lawsuit alleges the fast-food chain failed to disclose the contamination risk, resulting in consumer harm.
The class action lawsuit against McDonald’s seeks unspecified damages exceeding $5 million, aiming to compensate all consumers in the U.S. who purchased E. coli-contaminated Quarter Pounders.
More Lawsuits Against McDonald’s Allege Acute Kidney Failure and E. Coli Poisoning
The class action filed this week is not the only case that McDonald’s is facing over E. coli contamination. Multiple personal injury lawsuits have been filed in Colorado and Nebraska by individuals alleging harm due to negligence.
A 15-year-old Colorado resident filed suit against the company after reportedly developing acute kidney failure linked to the E. coli outbreak. The teenager, who reportedly consumed three Quarter Pounder hamburgers over a 12-day period in late September and early October, was hospitalized and needed dialysis treatment, according to court documents.
Additionally, two Nebraska residents filed separate McDonald’s lawsuits claiming they required emergency medical care after consuming Quarter Pounders. These legal actions followed McDonald's public acknowledgment of the outbreak on October 22, which prompted an immediate wave of litigation.
McDonald's Responds to E. Coli Poisoning, Does Not Comment on Lawsuits
McDonald's, which serves approximately 69 million customers daily worldwide, now faces the challenge of maintaining consumer confidence while addressing pending litigation. The company has temporarily halted product sales in approximately 2,800 of its 14,000 U.S. restaurants. Recently, however, the company began to reinstate the Quarter Pounder on its menus, insisting that the issue is contained and assuring customers of the continuing safety of their food.
As of this writing, McDonald’s has not responded to requests for comment regarding allegations in the recently filed E. coli lawsuits.
What is E. Coli?
E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestines. While most types of E. coli are harmless, causing diarrhea. However, some strains can make you very sick. These harmful strains often spread through contaminated food, as is the case in the recent McDonald’s E. coli outbreak.
Common Symptoms of E. Coli Food Poisoning
- Severe stomach cramps that come on suddenly
- Diarrhea, which may become bloody within 1-3 days
- Vomiting
- Mild fever (under 101°F)
- Feeling very tired
- Loss of appetite
Most people start feeling sick about 3-4 days after eating contaminated food, though symptoms can appear anywhere from 1-10 days later. While most healthy adults recover within 5-7 days, the illness can be especially dangerous for young children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
When to Seek Medical Care
- If you see blood in your stool
- If vomiting prevents you from keeping liquids down
- If you have diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days
- If you have a high fever
- If you feel very dehydrated (signs include extreme thirst, dry mouth, decreased urination, and dizziness)
Your Legal Rights
The lawsuits against McDonald's serve as a reminder of the consequences of food safety breaches in the fast-food industry. For those affected by the E.coli outbreak, you may be able to pursue justice and compensation in a lawsuit against McDonald’s for failing to warn about the risk of E. coli.
McDonald’s customers can contact the class action attorneys at Wisner Baum for a free and confidential case evaluation. We are committed public safety advocates who understand what it takes to win cases against big companies.
Contact us today or call (855) 948-5098 for a free case evaluation.
