McDonald's to pay ₹6.5 crore to 4-year-old girl burned by chicken nugget in US

A Florida jury has ordered McDonald's to pay $800,000 (₹6.5 million) in damages to the family of a girl who was allegedly burned by its chicken nugget. The lawsuit was filed by the girl's parents, who claimed she suffered second-degree burns after a nugget fell on her thighs in 2019.

A jury returned a split verdict in May finding fault with McDonald's and the franchise owner for the burns to then-four-year-old Olivia Caraballo.

On Wednesday, after a quick two-hour deliberation on how much money the family should receive for the child's pain and suffering, the jury agreed on a fine of $800,000.

"I'm actually glad they listened to Olivia's voice and she, the jury, was able to make a fair decision, I'm happy with that," said the girl's mother.

The family sought $15 million, but their lawyers called the result "fair and just."

Meanwhile, McDonald's testified that the restaurant follows food safety rules that require the nuggets to be hot enough to prevent salmonella poisoning, and what happens to the food once it leaves the drive-thru is beyond the company's control.

"This landmark decision brings meaningful closure to a difficult and lengthy legal process," the lawyers said in a statement. "After previously holding the defendants, Upchurch Foods Inc and McDonald's USA LLC, responsible for their wrongdoing, this verdict reaffirms that they must now face the consequences and provide full justice. Despite years of denying any culpability and attempts throughout this trial to undermine the extent of Olivia's suffering in the eyes of the community, their determination has been overcome, their determination has been overcome in the eyes of the community.

Both McDonald's and Upchurch pleaded not guilty during the trial, but a jury found that they failed to put a warning on the food and this led to the child's injury.