McDonald's to pay ₹6.5 Crore in damages after child suffers burns from chicken nugget

McDonald's and its franchise owner have been ordered by a Florida jury to pay $800,000 (₹6.5 crore) in damages to a family after their child suffered burns from a chicken nugget.

The lawsuit was filed by the parents of the girl, who allegedly suffered second-degree burn injuries in 2019 when a nugget fell on her thighs.

The jury reached a split verdict in May, finding both McDonald's and the franchise owner responsible for the burns that four-year-old Olivia Caraballo endured. After a two-hour deliberation, the jury settled on the $800,000 fine as compensation for the child's pain and suffering.

The family had initially sought $15 million in damages, but their attorneys expressed satisfaction with the outcome, considering it "fair and just."

McDonald's defended its adherence to food safety rules, asserting that nuggets must be hot enough to prevent salmonella poisoning. The company argued that once the food leaves the drive-thru, it is beyond their control.

The verdict has been hailed as a momentous decision, bringing closure to a prolonged legal process. The attorneys representing the family emphasized that the jury's determination reaffirms the defendants' liability for their actions, urging them to take responsibility and provide full justice.

Throughout the trial, both McDonald's and the franchise owner, Upchurch Foods Inc, denied fault in the incident. However, the jury held them accountable for failing to provide warnings on the food, which resulted in the child's injury.