Who doesn't love a good Wendy's burger? Well, I know I wouldn't if mine had what this woman alleges she got served...
It was a normal day for 68-year-old Roxie Ellis Douglas. She had ordered a double cheeseburger from the fast food restaurant, per the New York Post. But then, she alleged the burger, which had came from the Wendy's on Chicago's South Stony Island Avenue, caused her some pretty serious health issues.
What, you ask? Well, the lawsuit alleged she had experienced "acute infectious colitis, dehydration, gastroenteritis, leukocytosis and hypokalemia". You might be wondering what some of those more medically-ambiguous wordy conditions are - let's break them down, per the Mayo Clinic:
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- Acute infectious colitis: This refers to the inflammation of the colon caused by an infection
- Gastroenteritis: This refers to a stomach flu.
- Leukocytosis: This refers to a higher-than-normal white blood cell count. It can indicate infections.
- Hypokalemia: This refers to a low level of potassium in the blood.
The lawsuit itself pins down her alleged experience to Campylobacter bacteria, as well as "other illnesses producing bacteria". The lawsuit also alleged that the burger was in an "unreasonably dangerous and in a defective condition".
She Accused Wendy's of Several Failures
Douglas has accused Wendy's of several failures in the lawsuit. Namely, Wendy's have been accused of "failure to use safe and proper inspection practices", "failure to eliminate the presence of Campylobacter bacteria and other illness producing bacteria", and "failure to provide adequate warning to consumers or users of the dangers of hazards inherent in the consumption of double cheeseburger meal".
The lawsuit also detailed the numerous medical expenses she had to incur because of the alleged infection. Exhibits from the court case itself explain that since the initial ordeal, dated August 6, 2025, she has spent $93,578.24 on medical bills.
These include a $2,848.50 ambulance ride to Advocate Trinity Hospital and $24,434 for an initial three-day hospital stay. But that wasn't all - she also had to pay $42,857 for another stay at the hospital.
Douglas is seeking in the region of $50,000 in damages from Wendy's. We hope that justice runs its course.
