McDonald's Hit With Class Action After E. coli Outbreak in Quarter Pounders

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit has been filed against McDonald's, alleging the company failed to warn consumers about the risk of E. coli contamination in its Quarter Pounders, leading to illnesses and even a death.

Consumers Affected: Individuals in the United States who purchased and consumed Quarter Pounders contaminated with E. coli.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

McDonald's Corporation is facing a class action lawsuit stemming from an E. coli outbreak linked to contaminated onions in its Quarter Pounder hamburgers, Reuters reports.

Filed by Amanda McCray and William Michael Kraft in an Illinois federal court, the action alleges that McDonald's failed to warn consumers about the risk of E. coli contamination, resulting in illness and potential long-term health complications for those who consumed the affected products.

The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages, exceeding $5 million, for all individuals in the United States who purchased Quarter Pounders contaminated with E. coli. They claim that McDonald's negligence in failing to warn consumers about the contamination risk led to numerous illnesses, hospitalizations, and even one death.

E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders

The E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders was first reported in October 2024. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified contaminated onions as the source of the outbreak. As of the lawsuit's filing, 75 cases, 22 hospitalizations, and one death had been linked to the outbreak.

1. coli, or Escherichia coli, is a type of bacteria commonly found in the environment, food, water, and the intestines of people and animals. While most strains of E. coli are harmless, some can cause illness, including diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and sepsis.  

Symptoms of E. coli infection typically appear within a few days to nine days after consuming contaminated food and can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, the infection can lead to serious complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, or other long-term health problems.

Lawsuit Claims McDonald's Failed to Warn Consumers of E. coli Risk

The plaintiffs allege that McDonald's knew or should have known about the risk of E. coli contamination in its Quarter Pounders but failed to adequately warn consumers. They claim that the company did not disclose this risk on its packaging, website, or in any other way, leaving consumers unaware of the potential danger.

McCray and Kraft both claim to have experienced symptoms of E. coli infection after consuming Quarter Pounders purchased from McDonald's in October 2024. They allege that they would not have purchased the burgers had they known about the risk of contamination.

The lawsuit argues that McDonald's had a duty to warn consumers about the potential for E. coli contamination in its Quarter Pounders and that the company's failure to do so constitutes negligence. It also claims that McDonald's breached an implied warranty of merchantability by selling products that were not fit for human consumption due to the contamination.

Class Action Seeks Damages, Injunctive Relief, and Medical Monitoring

In the McDonald’s quarter pounders class action lawsuit, McCray and Kraft are seeking various forms of relief, including monetary damages to compensate for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses incurred as a result of the E. coli infections. It also seeks restitution to refund the purchase price of the contaminated Quarter Pounders.

Furthermore, they are requesting injunctive relief requiring McDonald's to implement measures to prevent future E. coli outbreaks, such as improved food safety protocols and more transparent communication with consumers about potential risks.

Finally, the plaintiffs demand medical monitoring to cover the costs of ongoing medical examinations and tests for individuals who consumed the contaminated Quarter Pounders, as they may be at an increased risk of developing long-term health complications. 

Medical monitoring is argued to be necessary because exposure to E. coli can lead to an increased risk of future health problems, such as kidney disease and neurological issues. Periodic diagnostic medical examinations are claimed to be reasonably necessary to detect and address any potential long-term health consequences of the E. coli infections.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: McCray et al. v. McDonald’s USA LLC
• Case Number:  1:24-cv-11102
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Roy T. Willey, IV and Paul J. Doolittle (Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC)

Were you affected by this E. coli outbreak? Share your experience in the comments below.