--- title: "Marler Clark calls on McDonald's to step up and pay customers' medical bills and lost wages" date: 2024-11-08T16:14:00-08:00 author: Julie Dueck canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/marler-clark-calls-on-mcdonalds-to-step-up-and-pay-customers-medical-bills-and-lost-wages" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Press Releases](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/press-releases) / # Marler Clark calls on McDonald's to step up and pay customers' medical bills and lost wages SEATTLE, Wash. — [](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2447639-1&h=2646376719&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.billmarler.com%2F&a=Bill+Marler)[Bill Marler](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2447639-1&h=2646376719&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.billmarler.com%2F&a=Bill+Marler), food safety advocate and foodborne illness attorney since 1993, whose Seattle law firm, [Marler Clark](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2447639-1&h=182210446&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marlerclark.com%2F&a=Marler+Clark)’s work was recently profiled in the Netflix documentary, [“Poisoned, The Dirty Truth About Your Food,"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZcyMgdWmPg) is calling on McDonald's to pay the medical bills and lost wages of the victims of the *E. coli* outbreak in the U.S. that has so far sickened 90, killing one and causing two to suffer acute kidney failure. Marler Clark represents victims in Nebraska, Colorado, Montana, Iowa, Georgia, Texas, and Washington (see the most recently filed complaint below). According to the CDC, as of October 30, 2024, 90 people infected with the outbreak strain of *E. coli* O157:H7 have been reported from 13 states, including Wyoming (5), Wisconsin (1), Washington (1), Utah (7), Oregon (1), New Mexico (5), Nebraska (12), Montana (17), Missouri (8), Michigan (2), Kansas (1), Iowa (1), and Colorado (29). Illnesses started on dates ranging from Sept 27 to October 16, 2024. Of 83 people with information available, 27 have been hospitalized, and two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. One death has been reported from an older adult in Colorado. This person is not one of those who developed HUS. “Unfortunately, those numbers will likely rise in the coming week,” Marler said. “The cost of treating victims of *E. coli* infections can run in the tens of thousands of dollars, or in severe cases, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. These families need McDonald's to do more than promise to cooperate in the investigation into this outbreak; they need to know that McDonald's intends to fulfill their corporate responsibility by looking out for their customers." Marler noted that during other outbreak situations over the past two decades, companies like Chi-Chi’s, Dole, Jack in the Box, Conagra, Odwalla, and Sheetz advanced medical costs for outbreak victims whose illnesses were traced to their food products. [William “Bill” Marler ](http://www.billmarler.com/)has been a food safety lawyer and advocate since the 1993 Jack-in-the-Box *E. coli* O157:H7 outbreak which was chronicled in the book [“Poisoned: The True Story of the Deadly E. Coli Outbreak That Changed the Way Americans Eat”](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=1020790832&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D4034776-2%26h%3D1725078326%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FPoisoned-Deadly-Outbreak-Changed-Americans%252Fdp%252F098495435X%26a%3D%2522Poisoned%2522&a=%22Poisoned%22) and in the recent Emmy Award-winning [Netflix documentary, "Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food."](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=2811251747&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D4034776-2%26h%3D3559152489%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.netflix.com%252Ftitle%252F81460481%2523%253A%257E%253Atext%253D2023%252520%25257C%252520Maturity%252520Rating%25253ATV%25252D%252Cfoodborne%252520illness%252520in%252520the%252520US.%26a%3DNetflix%2Bdocumentary&a=Netflix+documentary) Bill’s work has been profiled in The New Yorker, [“A Bug in the System;”](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=3494984181&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D4034776-2%26h%3D225575945%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.newyorker.com%252Fmagazine%252F2015%252F02%252F02%252Fbug-system%26a%3D%2522A%2BBug%2Bin%2Bthe%2BSystem%253B%2522&a=%22A+Bug+in+the+System%3B%22) The Seattle Times, [“30 years after the deadly *E. coli* outbreak, a Seattle attorney still fights for food safety;”](https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/30-years-after-the-deadly-e-coli-outbreak-a-seattle-attorney-still-fights-for-food-safety/) The Washington Post, [“He helped make burgers safer. Now he is fighting food poisoning again;”](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=4007553127&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D4034776-2%26h%3D3259035492%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.washingtonpost.com%252Fnational%252Fhe-helped-make-burgers-safer-now-hes-fighting-food-poisoning-again%252F2020%252F01%252F18%252F5b979cf8-38ad-11ea-9541-9107303481a4_story.html%26a%3D%2522He%2Bhelped%2Bmake%2Bburgers%2Bsafer%252C%2BNow%2Bhe%2Bis%2Bfighting%2Bfood%2Bpoisoning%2Bagain%253B%2522&a=%22He+helped+make+burgers+safer%2C+Now+he+is+fighting+food+poisoning+again%3B%22) and [several others](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=3545986551&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D4034776-2%26h%3D2749355817%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fbillmarler.com%252Fbiography%26a%3Dseveral%2Bothers&a=several+others). Bill regularly speaks about the importance of preventing foodborne illness to industry and government throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, China, and Australia. He is a frequent commentator on food litigation and food safety to [Marler Blog](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=1230212809&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marlerblog.com%2F&a=Marler+Blog). Bill is also the publisher of [Food Safety News](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=4125170773&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D2447639-1%26h%3D3589830031%26u%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.foodsafetynews.com%252F%26a%3DFood%2BSafety%2BNews&a=Food+Safety+News). For all media inquiries, please contact Julie Dueck at (206) 930-4220 or jdueck@marlerclark.com. [MONTANA Mc Ds Complaint Craft (pdf)](https://holistic-kudu.files.svdcdn.com/production/publications/marler-clark-calls-on-mcdonalds-to-step-up-and-pay-customers-medical-bills-and-lost-wages/MONTANA-McDs-Complaint-Craft.pdf?dm=1731111255) ### Other E. coli Lawsuits [Raw Farms linked to another Raw Milk Cheese E.coli Outbreak - 9 People sickened - Company refuses to recall product](https://marlerclark.com/raw-farms-linked-to-another-raw-milk-cheese-e-coli-outbreak-7-people-sickened) [10 with E. coli linked to Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/3-with-e-coli-linked-to-cheese) [Sycamore Pool in Chico California Contaminated with E.coli - Two teens in ICU](https://marlerclark.com/sycamore-pool-in-chico-california-contaminated-with-e-coli-two-teens-in-icu) [Deadly Nationwide E.coli Outbreak Linked to Grimmway Farms Organic Baby and Whole Carrots sickens 48](https://marlerclark.com/nationwide-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-grimmway-farms-organic-baby-and-whole-carrots) [E. coli Outbreak tied to Red Cow and Hen House Restaurants](https://marlerclark.com/e-coli-outbreak-tied-to-red-cow-and-hen-house-restaurants) [Rockwood Summit High School E. coli Outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/rockwood-summit-high-school-e-coli-outbreak) [McDonalds linked to 104 E. coli cases and 1 Death](https://marlerclark.com/mcdonalds-linked-to-nearly-50-e-coli-cases-and-1-death) [2 dead with 22 injured in E. coli Hamburger Outbreak in Montana](https://marlerclark.com/1-dead-with-13-injured-in-e-coli-hamburger-outbreak-in-montana) [E. coli Outbreak in Washington and California linked to Walnuts](https://marlerclark.com/e-coli-outbreak-in-washington-and-california-linked-to-walnuts) [Seattle PCC Market E. coli outbreak linked to Guacamole](https://marlerclark.com/seattle-ppc-market-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-guacamole) [11 with E. coli linked to Raw Milk LLC Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/10-with-e-coli-linked-to-raw-milk-llc-cheese) [Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli Outbreak sickens 35](https://marlerclark.com/miguels-cocina-4s-ranch-e-coli-outbreak) ### Lawsuit updates about foodborne illnesses [Reactive Arthritis Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=reactive-arthritis&year=all) [E. coli Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=e-coli&year=all) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=guillain-barre-syndrome&year=all) [Salmonella Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=salmonella&year=all) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=hemolytic-uremic-syndrome&year=all) [Listeria Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=listeria&year=all) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=irritable-bowel-syndrome&year=all) [Hepatitis A Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=hepatitis-a&year=all) [Norovirus Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=norovirus&year=all) [Botulism Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=botulism&year=all) [Campylobacter Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=campylobacter&year=all) [Shigella Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=shigella&year=all) [Cyclospora Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=cyclospora&year=all) ### Lawsuits updates by year [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 1998](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=1998) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 1999](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=1999) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2000](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2000) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2001](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2001) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2002](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2002) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2003](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2003) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2004](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2004) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2005](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2005) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2006](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2006) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2007](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2007) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2008](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2008) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2009](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2009) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2010](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2010) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2011](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2011) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2012](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2012) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2013](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2013) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2014](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2014) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2015](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2015) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2016](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2016) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2017](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2017) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2018](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2018) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2019](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2019) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2020](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2020) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2021](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2021) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2022](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2022) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2023](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2023) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2024](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2024) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2025](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2025) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2026](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2026) ##### Get Help #### Affected by an outbreak or recall? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) ##### Related Resources ###### [E. coli Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-food-poisoning) What is E. coli and how does it cause food poisoning? Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a highly studied, common species of bacteria that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, so... ###### [E. coli O157:H7](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 is the most commonly identified and the most notorious Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serotype in... ###### [Non-O157 STEC](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/non-o157-stec) Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli can also cause food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 may be the most notorious serotype of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), but there are at least... ###### [Sources of E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) Where do E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) come from? The primary reservoirs, or ultimate sources, of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC in nature are... ###### [Transmission of and Infection with E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) While many dairy cattle-associated foodborne disease outbreaks are linked to raw milk and other raw dairy products (e.g., cheeses, butter, ice cream), dairy cattle still represent a source of contamination... ##### Outbreak Database #### Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ View Outbreak Database ](https://outbreakdatabase.com)