Colorado Resident Files Suit Against McDonald's Over Alleged E. coli Contamination

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A Colorado man, Eric Stelly, has filed what is believed to be the first lawsuit against McDonald's in connection with an E. coli outbreak traced to Quarter Pounder burgers, which has resulted in one death and nearly 50 illnesses. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court in Illinois, alleges that Stelly ate food from a McDonald's in Greeley, Colorado, on October 4 and subsequently tested positive for E. coli. Colorado health officials informed him that his case was tied to the broader McDonald's outbreak. Although Stelly resides in Greeley, he chose to sue McDonald's in Chicago, where the company’s headquarters is located.

The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $50,000, asserting that McDonald's was negligent in ensuring food safety. Following the lawsuit's filing, McDonald's shares saw reduced gains but still showed a 0.5% increase. McDonald's has not yet issued a statement on the lawsuit.

In response to the outbreak, McDonald's USA President Joe Erlinger expressed the need for the company to rebuild public trust, following the removal of the Quarter Pounder from the menus of around 20% of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. locations. The outbreak has affected individuals in the Western and Midwestern U.S., with one reported death and ten hospitalizations due to severe complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Attorney Ron Simon, who is representing Stelly, stated that he is also handling cases for an additional 15 people impacted by the outbreak. Both the CDC and McDonald's are examining the company’s slivered onions and beef patties to identify the outbreak’s source. Preliminary findings from the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggest that the onions may be the source, though tests on beef samples are ongoing.

The E. coli strain responsible, O157:H7, is the same strain linked to a 1993 Jack in the Box outbreak that led to the deaths of four children. McDonald's suppliers, who regularly test their products, conducted tests within the CDC’s outbreak timeline, but no instances of this E. coli strain were detected, according to company representatives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paraphrasing text from "Reuters" all rights reserved by the original author.