An 11-year-old girl in Michigan was severely infected with an E. coli-related disease after eating at a Wendy’s restaurant, leading to a $20 million lawsuit filed by her family. After ordering a hamburger, chicken nuggets, and fries at the restaurant, the girl fell ill and was hospitalized with symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and blood in her stool. The infection progressed into hemolytic uremic syndrome, a rare and deadly disease that affects the kidneys and causes blood clots. The young girl experienced seizures, paralysis, and brain damage as a result of the infection.
The family’s attorney explained that the girl had to undergo daily dialysis for kidney issues and was unconscious at times in the hospital. She was eventually moved to a rehab clinic and then sent home after nearly three weeks of treatment. However, she continues to suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, and brain damage that has affected her ability to learn. The family filed a $20 million lawsuit against Meritage Hospitality Group, the owners of the Wendy’s where they believe their daughter contracted the infection.
The Wendy’s restaurant in question had multiple violations of food laws, including moldy and spoiled food left unrefrigerated, filthy cutting boards, and leaking water throughout the building. Inspectors found mold and mildew growing in food-prep stations and noted health risks that could make staff and customers sick. The restaurant was temporarily closed for violations and reopened after making improvements, but subsequent inspections revealed additional violations, including raw beef stored at unsafe temperatures and unsanitary conditions in the kitchen.
The Meritage Hospitality Group, which owns over 380 Wendy’s restaurants in 16 states, has been facing multiple lawsuits from Michigan residents who fell ill due to contaminated lettuce during an E. coli outbreak in 2022. Although the girl did not have any lettuce when she became sick, her family believes her illness was a result of cross-contamination at the restaurant. The family’s attorney stated that the conditions at the Wendy’s were “disgusting” and that their daughter’s infection was likely caused by unsafe food practices at the restaurant.
The lawsuit filed by the Lamfers family alleges that the Ottawa County Wendy’s violated Michigan food laws and reopened the same day their daughter ate there. The girl’s illness had severe consequences, including brain damage that affected her learning abilities. The family is seeking $20 million in damages for the harm caused to their daughter. The Wendy’s restaurant has since improved its conditions, but the allegations of unsafe food practices and violations of health codes have raised concerns about the safety of food preparation at the chain. The Meritage Hospitality Group denied any wrongdoing in the case and stated that they take the health and safety of their customers seriously.
