By Jyoti Jha
A Florida family won $800,000 in a lawsuit against McDonald’s and a franchisee after their 4-year-old daughter, Olivia Caraballo, suffered burns from a hot chicken nugget. The family’s lawyers had asked for $15 million, but the jury reached their decision in less than two hours, awarding $800,000 for the child’s pain and suffering.
Olivia’s parents, Philana Holmes and Humberto Caraballo Estevez sued McDonald’s and Upchurch Foods, claiming the nuggets in the “Happy Meal” were unreasonably hot and caused second-degree burns when one got stuck in her car seat and burned her leg.
Ms. Holmes expressed her satisfaction with the jury’s decision, stating, “I’m actually just happy they listened to Olivia’s voice and she, the jury was able to decide a fair judgment, I’m happy with that.”
The family’s attorneys celebrated the verdict, saying it brought meaningful closure to a long legal process and held the defendants accountable for their wrongful actions.
During the trial, both McDonald’s and Upchurch argued they were not at fault. However, the jury found McDonald’s responsible for not providing proper warnings about the food, leading to the child’s injury.
The jury emphasized that McNuggets should be served safely.
Holmes expressed her happiness with the jury’s decision, saying she was glad they listened to Olivia and made a fair judgment. The family had asked for $15 million, but their attorneys are content with the outcome, calling it fair and just.
The family’s lawyers stated that the verdict brings meaningful closure after a long legal process. They had previously held both Upchurch Foods Inc and McDonald’s USA LLC liable for their actions, and this verdict reaffirms the consequences they must face. Despite denying any fault and trying to downplay Olivia’s suffering, the jury’s determination prevailed.
During the trial, McDonald’s and Upchurch argued they were not to blame, but the jury found them at fault for not putting warnings on the food that caused the child’s injury. However, McDonald’s was not found negligent for causing the burns. In their previous statement, both companies assured customers that McNuggets are served safely.
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