McDonald’s is facing its first lawsuit related to an E. coli outbreak believed to be connected to its Quarter Pounder hamburgers. The legal action, which could mark the beginning of a series of lawsuits, was filed by Colorado resident Eric Stelly on Wednesday. This comes just a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed an investigation into the outbreak, which has resulted in 49 reported illnesses, 10 hospitalizations, and one death.
The outbreak, spanning across 10 states, has been traced back to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. Stelly, represented by food safety law firm Ron Simon & Associates, filed the lawsuit in Illinois. The firm is also representing 10 additional individuals who claim they were victims of the outbreak.
Details of the Lawsuit
According to the lawsuit, Stelly consumed a meal from a McDonald’s in Breely, Colorado, on October 4. He began experiencing symptoms of E. coli a few days later and was admitted to the emergency room on October 8. Tests confirmed that Stelly had contracted E. coli, and he continues to recover from the illness.
Ron Simon, the lead attorney in the case, stressed that this lawsuit is just the beginning. “The McDonald’s E. coli outbreak will be one of the most significant food poisoning outbreaks this year,” Simon said. “We are committed to ensuring that all victims receive compensation for their suffering and that McDonald’s and its suppliers address the health violations that led to the contamination.”
Investigations Ongoing
McDonald’s, along with several government agencies, including the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is still investigating the source of the E. coli contamination. Investigators are focusing on the two primary ingredients in the Quarter Pounder — beef and onions — both of which are potential carriers of the bacteria.
Though McDonald’s has not yet commented on the lawsuit, the company has already taken precautionary steps. Fresh slivered onions and Quarter Pounder beef patties have been pulled from its inventory, and the Quarter Pounder has been temporarily removed from menus in affected areas. The impacted regions include Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
The situation continues to evolve, with health officials working to determine the exact cause of the contamination. As the investigation progresses, more lawsuits against McDonald’s are anticipated.