Food poisoning lawsuits have been filed against McDonald’s after a deadly E. Coli outbreak was linked to onions on Quarter Pounder hamburgers.
Need a Texas McDonald’s E. coli Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you were diagnosed with E. Coli from McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
UPDATE: Onions Linked to Deadly E. coli Outbreak At McDonald’s
Fresh slivered onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders and other menu items have been linked to a deadly outbreak of E. coli that occurred in September and October 2024. Health officials have confirmed a total of 90 illnesses in 13 states, including 1 person from Colorado who died.
How Many People Got Sick?
At least 90 people in 13 states were infected with E. coli after eating at McDonald’s in September and October 2024, according to the CDC Outbreak Investigation. The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher, and other states may be involved, according to the CDC.
Why Is This Outbreak So Severe?
All of the sick people were infected with E. Coli O157:H7, which is a dangerous strain of E. coli that produces Shiga toxin. People who are infected can develop severe symptoms and complications.
For example, some people who are infected with E. Coli O157:H7 develop kidney failure due to a complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). One of the victims is a 15-year-old girl who suffered kidney failure due to E. coli, according to a lawsuit filed against McDonald’s by her attorney.
Where Did People Get Sick at McDonald’s?
Illnesses have been reported in 13 states, but the hardest-hit states are Colorado, Nebraska, and Montana, according to the CDC.
As of October 30, 2024, the case count is: Colorado (29), Montana (17), Wyoming (5), Kansas (1), Iowa (1), Missouri (8), Michigan (2), Nebraska (12), New Mexico (5), Oregon (1), Utah (7), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (1), but there may be more illnesses in other states.
According to the CDC, “The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported,” and the outbreak may not be limited to the states listed above.
What Is The Risk?
McDonald’s Quarter Pounders have been linked to an outbreak of E. Coli O157:H7, which is a dangerous strain of E. coli that produces Shiga-toxin. There is a high risk of complications for older adults, young children, or people with weak immune systems.
According to the FDA:
“Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.”
McDonalds Stops Using Slivered Onions
To protect customers, McDonald’s temporarily stopped using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and 1/4-pound beef patties at stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. No illnesses have been reported since then.
What Should I Do?
Anyone who has already eaten at McDonald’s and developed symptoms of an E. coli infection should immediately contact a healthcare provider to report their symptoms and receive care.
What Are Symptoms of E. Coli?
The symptoms of E. coli may appear up to 9 days after eating contaminated food. These symptoms include:
- Severe stomach cramps
- Pain
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
McDonald’s Lawsuits for E. coli Outbreaks
Outbreaks of E. coli are relatively uncommon at fast-food restaurants, but they can be very serious, or involve a lot of very sick people who all decide to file lawsuits.
Within days of health officials announcing the outbreak at McDonald’s, the first lawsuits were filed by people who got sick. Lawyers who represent dozens of sick plaintiffs said the “McDonald’s E. coli Outbreak will be one of the most significant food poisoning outbreaks this year.”
Can I Join A Class Action?
People who got sick with E. coli are filing individual lawsuits against McDonald’s, rather than a class action. That way, if compensation is awarded, the payout will not be divided with everyone who joins a class action.
$5 Million Class Action Seeks Refunds for Quarter Pounders
It is also possible that other types of lawsuits will be filed against McDonald’s for the E. coli outbreak. Class actions can involve people who did not get sick, like shareholders or people seeking refunds.
For example, one of the first class action lawsuits against McDonald’s was filed by a couple from Florida who bought Quarter Pounders during the E. coli outbreak. They are asking McDonald’s to pay at least $5 million to reimburse customers nationwide who bought Quarter Pounders, not knowing the risk.
Colorado McDonald’s E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits
One of the first lawsuits against McDonald’s was filed by a man from Colorado who tested positive for E. coli after eating at a McDonald’s restaurant in Greeley, Colorado, at the beginning of October.
Within 2 days of eating at McDonald’s, he developed symptoms of food poisoning that were so severe, he went to the hospital. He was hospitalized and tested positive for E. coli. Three weeks later, he is still recovering from his illness, according to his attorneys.
The McDonald’s E. coli Lawsuit was filed on October 23, 2024 in Cook County Circuit Court, Illinois, where the Chicago-based McDonald’s is headquartered.
Who Can File a Food Poisoning Lawsuit?
Food poisoning lawsuits against McDonald’s are currently being filed by people who got E. coli. The strongest lawsuits will involve people who tested positive for E. coli during the outbreak (September and October 2024).
Most of the victims ate Quarter Pounders or other types of hamburgers at McDonald’s before they got sick, but not everyone. This may be due to cross-contamination from the onions to other foods. It is possible that anyone who got sick could file a lawsuit, but a lawyer must review the case first.
How Much Money Is My Lawsuit Worth?
Food poisoning lawsuits will usually seek financial compensation for the illness and medical expenses, but there is no way to know how much money each lawsuit is worth.
Higher payouts are more likely for lawsuits involving hospitalization, severe illness, or death. Lawsuits for E. coli can potentially end in a settlement that provides compensation for the victim’s illness, pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, long-term injuries, death of a loved one, and more.
Need a McDonald’s E. coli Lawyer in Texas?
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