Lawsuits Against McDonald’s and Taylor Farms Increase Amid E. coli Outbreak

US food safety law firm Ron Simon & Associates and Meyers & Flowers, LLC have filed another lawsuit against McDonald’s in the E. coli outbreak saga.

This time, the lawsuit was filed on behalf of Clarissa DeBock in Cook County, Illinois.

According to the lawsuit, on September 18, 2024, Clarissa purchased and consumed food from her local McDonald’s in Nebraska. By September 23^rd, she had become ill with the symptoms of E. coli. On September 25^th, Clarissa was forced to seek medical attention and presented to the Great Plains Health – Emergency Room, where her physicians ordered blood work, abdominal and pelvic CT, and stool studies. Notably, the physician noted: “My nursing staff indicated to me that E. coli was also noted on 2 patients yesterday. I find this very interesting. This is a reportable illness to her health department. It does cause me to question whether there is some sentinel event that may have caused this to happen.”

Clarissa was found to be positive for E. coli O157:H7, and her case was reported to the county health department. Her physicians placed her on Ciprofloxacin, and at the time this lawsuit was filed, continues to recover from the effects of E. coli food poisoning.

At present, onions are suspected of having been the catalyst of this E. coli outbreak, and Taylor Farms of California has issued a recall of the potentially dangerous onions.

According to Ron Simon, the attorney representing Ms. DeBock and at least fifteen other families, so far: “Our office continues to receive calls around the clock from victims in this outbreak. We will continue to pursue their claims until each family is fully compensated for their losses.”

Taylor Farms & McDonald Corporation Lawsuit

OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers have initiated a lawsuit against McDonald’s onion supplier, Taylor Farms, related to a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to slivered onions used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.

The lawsuit was filed against McDonald’s and Taylor Farms due to the E. coli outbreak. The defendants are McDonald Corporation and Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc. (Taylor Farms).

The Plaintiff is Colorado resident Logan Grinstead, who fell ill two days after consuming a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder containing contaminated Taylor Farms’ slivered onions, according to the Complaint. 

In the wake of the outbreak, McDonalds indicated that slivered onions were a likely vehicle for the outbreak strain of E. coli, and McDonalds identified Taylor Farms as the source of those onions. OFT Lawyer Brendan Flaherty has demanded transparency and accountability from both companies regarding the outbreak.

The number of reported cases increased from 48 to 75. The outbreak has affected individuals across 13 states, resulting in serious health issues and one confirmed death. In total, 75 people became ill, with 2 developing severe kidney conditions and 1 death reported.

Those numbers, however, are expected to increase as the investigation goes on.

As of Oct.24, the outbreak has affected Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregan, Wisconsin, Washington and Michigan. Colorado reported 26 infections.

Taylor Farms was the supplier for the affected locations and McDonald’s has initiated a voluntary recall, the company and the agency said. The supplier also recalled several batches of yellow onions produced in a Colorado facility.

The ongoing saga continues to hurt the shares of McDonald’s.

SOURCE Ron Simon & Associates and OFT Law PLLC