A 15-year-old Colorado teen, Kamberlyn Bowler, was hospitalized for kidney failure after consuming a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with cheese in the weeks leading up to the fast-food chain’s deadly E. coli outbreak. Bowler, who was initially believed to have the flu, experienced symptoms such as a high fever, stomach pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea, ultimately leading to her diagnosis of kidney failure due to a severe E. coli infection. She was diagnosed with a rare complication called enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and required dialysis to save her kidneys.
In addition to Bowler, at least 75 people were affected by the E. coli outbreak linked to the slivered onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, with 22 individuals requiring hospitalization. Eleven of those affected were from Mesa County, where Bowler resides, and one person died as a result of the outbreak. Bowler’s mother expressed concern about the damage done to her daughter’s kidneys and the impact it may have on her health in the future, given her previously healthy state. McDonald’s spokesperson referred to Bowler’s experience as “devastating” and emphasized the importance of customer well-being to the company.
The incident has led to multiple lawsuits against McDonald’s related to the E. coli outbreak. Food Poisoning Lawyer Ron Simon is representing Bowler and 32 others from 10 states who were affected by the outbreak. Simon anticipates that there may be additional cases beyond the reported 75 infections linked to the McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. Following the outbreak, visits to McDonald’s restaurants in the US saw a significant decline, with a 6.4% decrease in customer visits nationwide and a 24% drop in Colorado the day after the outbreak was reported.
As a response to the E. coli outbreak, McDonald’s temporarily removed Quarter Pounders from its menus. However, the company announced plans to resume selling the burgers without slivered onions in all of its locations following the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s confirmation that a sample of the beef patties tested negative for E. coli. Bowler’s mother expressed her intentions to file a lawsuit against McDonald’s due to her daughter’s health complications as a result of the outbreak. The family is dealing with the uncertain long-term effects of Bowler’s kidney damage and the potential impact on her future health.
The E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s has raised concerns about food safety and led to significant repercussions for the fast-food giant. The incident has brought about legal action from affected individuals and their families, highlighting the importance of food safety regulations and corporate responsibility in preventing such outbreaks from occurring in the future. Bowler’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for consumers and food establishments alike, emphasizing the potential risks associated with foodborne illnesses and the devastating impact they can have on individuals and communities.
