Ron Simon and Associates Files Two Lawsuits Against McDonald's in E. coli Outbreak

CHICAGO — The national food safety law firm of Ron Simon & Associates, along with Meyers & Flowers, LLC, has filed two lawsuits against McDonald's in the wake of an E. coli outbreak linked to the restaurant’s Quarter Pounders. The lawsuits were filed on behalf of Colorado resident Eric Stelly and Nebraska resident Clarissa DeBock in Cook County, Ill. Copies of the lawsuits are available upon request.

On Oct. 4, Stelly purchased and consumed food from his local McDonald's in Breely, Colo. Two days later, he began experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, stomach cramps and dehydration, as well as bloody stools — the most common symptom of E. coli poisoning.

On Oct. 8, after he could no longer bear the pain of his illness, he sought medical attention at the emergency room at UCHealth in West Greeley. His doctor performed a stool culture, which returned positive for E. coli. His physician referred him to specialists at the Centers for Gastroenterology to determine the extent of his illness. A few days later, the Weld County Department of Public Health contacted Stelly regarding his E. coli diagnosis and confirmed he had consumed food from McDonald's. Over 10 victims in Colorado have already been identified.

Stelly is still recovering from his E. coli illness. 

On Sept. 18, DeBock purchased and consumed food from her local McDonald's in Nebraska. By Sept. 23, she had become ill with the symptoms of E. coli. On Sept. 25, DeBock sought medical attention at the Great Plains Health - Emergency Room, where her physicians ordered blood work, abdominal and pelvic CT and stools studies.

Her physician noted, "My nursing staff indicated to me that E. coli was also noted on two 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."

DeBock 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 the lawsuit was filed, DeBock continues to recover from the effects of E. coli food poisoning.

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.

"The McDonald's E. coli outbreak will be one of the most significant food poisoning outbreaks this year,” said attorney Ron Simon. “Through this lawsuit and others, we will make sure that all of the victims are fully compensated for their losses, that their voices are heard, and that McDonald's and its suppliers permanently fix the health violations that caused the food to become contaminated with E. coli." 

"Our office continues to receive calls around the clock from victims in this outbreak,” he added. “We will continue to pursue their claims until each family is fully compensated for their losses."

Simon and his law firm have established a McDonald's E. Coli Claim Center to assist victims in the outbreak. The claim center can be reached toll free at 1-888-335-4901 or by visiting the firm's website.