McDonald's Faces First Lawsuits Over E. Coli Outbreak

McDonald's is facing its first legal actions after an E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounder hamburgers sickened dozens of customers across multiple states. A Colorado man, Eric Stelly, and a Nebraska woman, Clarissa DeBock, have filed lawsuits in Illinois state court, alleging they contracted E. coli after eating at McDonald's locations in their respective states. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that 49 people have been infected and one person has died as a result of the outbreak, which is believed to be connected to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounders​.

Both lawsuits accuse McDonald's of negligence and breach of implied warranty, claiming the company failed to properly test its products before distribution and did not prevent contamination. The complaints also include strict product liability claims, citing that the products were defective due to contamination with E. coli​.

The Charges

Eric Stelly and Clarissa DeBock allege that after consuming Quarter Pounders, they became seriously ill with E. coli infections. Both had to seek hospital treatment, and they are continuing to recover from the effects of the infection. Stelly’s infection occurred after he ate at a McDonald’s in Greeley, Colorado, on October 4, while DeBock became ill in late September after visiting a McDonald’s in Nebraska​.

The lawsuits claim that McDonald's failed to prevent contamination from harmful substances like human or animal feces, which are often the cause of E. coli outbreaks. DeBock’s complaint noted that McDonald's did not provide adequate warnings about the risks, which could have been identified through reasonable testing and foresight​. Both plaintiffs are seeking at least $150,000 in damages plus court costs.

McDonald’s Response

In response to the outbreak, McDonald's has acknowledged the potential link to the slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounders, which were supplied by a single vendor serving three distribution centers. The company stated that it has taken "swift and decisive action" by removing the onions from all local restaurant supplies and pausing further distribution​.

Despite this response, Stelly expressed disappointment, stating, "Never did I expect to suffer like this from eating a burger." He hopes that his lawsuit will prompt McDonald’s to fix the issues that led to the outbreak and prevent future contamination incidents​.

The Law Firms Involved

Both Stelly and DeBock are represented by prominent law firms experienced in foodborne illness litigation. Peter J. Flowers of Meyers & Flowers and Ron Simon of Ron Simon & Associates are leading the cases. Ron Simon emphasized that the outbreak could become "one of the most significant food poisoning outbreaks this year" and expressed confidence in holding McDonald’s accountable through these lawsuits​.

What’s Next?

As the CDC continues to investigate the source of the outbreak, with slivered onions being a prime suspect, McDonald's may face additional lawsuits. The outbreak has already affected customers in Colorado, Nebraska, and other states including Utah, Wyoming, and Missouri​. More cases are expected to surface as the situation develops, and McDonald’s will likely face heightened scrutiny regarding its food safety protocols.