First lawsuit filed over deadly E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s as investigation intensifies and response mounts

First lawsuit filed over deadly E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s as investigation and public response continue to gain momentum

Note: E. coli lawyer Tony Coveny explained: “We have received over 100 calls about the deadly E. coli outbreak at McDonalds since 9pm last night and the phones show no signs of stopping.”

In October 2024, a significant E. coli outbreak was linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, resulting in 49 reported cases in 10 US states. Tragically, one person has died and ten others have been hospitalized. The majority of infections were concentrated in Colorado and Nebraska, with Colorado alone accounting for 26 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the outbreak with illness reports from late September to early October.

The suspected source of the contamination is onion slivers used in the Quarter Pounders. Since then, McDonald’s has removed the Quarter Pounder from the menus of several affected states, including Colorado, Utah, Kansas and Wyoming, as a precautionary measure while investigations continue. Other McDonald’s beef products, such as the Big Mac, are reportedly not affected by this recall. The company is working closely with federal and local health authorities to determine the exact cause and prevent further illness.

This strain of E. coli, known as O157, is particularly dangerous because it can cause serious gastrointestinal problems such as bloody diarrhea and vomiting. More severe cases can lead to complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure. E. coli O157 was also the cause of the infamous Jack in the Box outbreak in 1993, which resulted in multiple deaths and revolutionized food safety practices in the fast food industry.

While the exact ingredient responsible for this outbreak is still under investigation, it is believed that a specific batch of onions may have been contaminated. There have been E. coli outbreaks linked to onions in the past, and McDonald’s is working with the CDC to trace the supply chain of its ingredients. From now on, the number of cases could increase, as further reports are expected in the coming weeks due to the time lag between infection and diagnosis.

McDonald’s has removed Quarter Pounders from restaurants in the affected regions for safety reasons, but aims to restore the menu once the investigation is complete. The company suffered a share price decline of about 6% following the news, and the outbreak also sparked concern in the beef industry, with traders worried about the potential impact on beef demand.

Following the E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s linked to Quarter Pounders, Ron Simon & Associates, a national food safety law firm, has already taken legal action on behalf of the victims. Ron Simon, known for his expertise in foodborne illness litigation, has taken an active role in this case, filing lawsuits against McDonald’s and other companies involved in the supply chain. The lawsuit centers on allegations that McDonald’s and its suppliers failed to prevent contamination of ingredients, leading to widespread illness.

Ron Simon’s legal team has secured significant compensation for victims of similar outbreaks in the past and is working to hold McDonald’s accountable for the unsafe conditions that led to this contamination. The company has highlighted the serious impact of E. coli O157 infections, particularly for those who are hospitalized or develop complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Simon’s lawsuit argues that McDonald’s neglected proper food safety practices, including the handling and sourcing of onions suspected of being the source of the contamination

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Simon’s firm has represented thousands of victims in similar cases, such as the Wendy’s E. coli outbreak, and his involvement suggests that this litigation could expand as more victims are identified. The lawsuit aims to seek compensation for medical costs, suffering and other damages caused by the outbreak