Man sues fast-food restaurants for making him fat

topane · 07-26-2002, 07:43 AM

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,58652,00.html/

Quote:

NEW YORK — Want a class-action lawsuit with that burger?

A New York City lawyer has filed suit against the four big fast-food corporations, saying their fatty foods are responsible for his client’s obesity and related health problems.

Samuel Hirsch filed his lawsuit Wednesday at a New York state court in the Bronx, alleging that McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and KFC Corporation are irresponsible and deceptive in the posting of their nutritional information, that they need to offer healthier options on their menus, and that they create a de facto addiction in their consumers, particularly the poor and children.

"You don't need nicotine or an illegal drug to create an addiction, you're creating a craving," Hirsch said. "I think we'll find that the fast-food industry has not been totally up front with the consumers."

The suit does not specify the amount of damages Hirsch and his client are seeking.

Industry officials lambasted the legal action.

"It's senseless, baseless and ridiculous," National Restaurant Association spokeswoman Katharine Kim said. "There are choices in restaurants and people can make these choices, and there's a little personal responsibility as well."

KFC spokeswoman Amy Sherwood said her company couldn't comment on the lawsuit because it hadn't yet been served, but dismissed the idea that the fried-chicken chain ought to be held responsible for anyone's health problems.

"Eating sensibly combined with exercise is the best solution for a healthy lifestyle," she said. "KFC offers a variety of menu offerings for those who want a more healthy choice."

Walter Olson, a Manhattan Institute fellow specializing in legal-system issues, called the suit a blatant attempt to cash in on the recent publicity over obesity and the tobacco settlements. He also said it disregarded the idea that people are responsible for their own actions.

"Most people are aware if eating double cheeseburgers, it's not the same as celery," he said. "We all have appetites, but people have no trouble walking down the street and buying a different kind of food. They’re not somehow forced to keep going back and keep supersizing. Overeating is a bad habit and is one of the pitfalls of human nature."

So far, there's only a single complainant named in the suit, but Hirsch said at least two other clients would be filing soon in what he aims to make into a class-action lawsuit. All were regular fast-food consumers who suffer from ailments ranging from obesity to diabetes.

The lead plaintiff, 56-year-old maintenance supervisor Caesar Barber, ate at fast-food restaurants four or five times a week and blames his fatty diet for his obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol and the two heart attacks he has suffered.

"I trace it all back to the high fat, grease and salt, all back to McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King – there was no fast food I didn't eat, and I ate it more often than not because I was single, it was quick and I’m not a very good cook," Barber said in an interview with Foxnews.com.

"It was a necessity, and I think it was killing me, my doctor said it was killing me, and I don't want to die."

Frances Winn, a 57-year-old retired nurse, said her habit of eating at fast-food restaurants at least twice a week since 1975, caused her to go from a size 6 to a size 18, and inflicted her with hypertension, high cholesterol and a hyperthyroid problem.

Israel Bradley, 59, said his ritual of eating a pound of french fries a week gave him high blood pressure, diabetes, made him obese and forces him to walk with a cane. In 1993, he passed out and had to be rushed to the emergency room because of the medical problems caused by his diet.

"I got addicted to it," he said.

Winn and Bradley would both file New York state suits soon, Hirsch said.

The aim of the legal action is to force the fast-food industry to "offer a larger variety to the consumers, including non-meat vegetarian, less grams of fat, and a reduction of size" of their meals, along with federal legislation that would require warning labels on fast food similar to those on tobacco products, Hirsch said.

"Hopefully it will change the eating habits of the American public," he said.

In December, then Surgeon General David Satcher declared obesity America's soon-to-be number one killer, and urged for there to be a healthier range of food available to consumers.

If it's that much of a problem, don't eat it. Go to the grocery store and buy yourself some vegetables if you're so worried about what you're eating. Morons.

Sir_Froggy · 07-26-2002, 07:46 AM

dangit! I was gonna post this!

doh

"diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol and the two heart"

he sueing them? I mean I think he would have learned already, but nope the Blame Game

attgig · 07-26-2002, 07:49 AM

man...I can put a few smileys on here like disa, and too far...but ya know what...
I'd rather have the stupid smiley without the i'm with...

america....what a great legal system.

CluelessSi · 07-26-2002, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by topane
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,58652,00.html/
If it's that much of a problem, don't eat it. Go to the grocery store and buy yourself some vegetables if you're so worried about what you're eating. Morons.

my thoughts exactly.... man i love that excuse of being single and can't cook well... then why not go to say subways and just eat the veggie subs!? .... dunno... i think they are so taking advantage of the freedom we have to choose and the ease of sueing....... haha addiction... mental addiction or real addiction? i mean caffine is physical while cocaine is mental... I have already stopped drink as much soda because I know it is bad for u...

watch McD or the other places present someone who eats the fast food regularly but still healthy because he/she chooses to excersise and eat the fast food keeping health in mind... then I don't know how they can complain anymore...

jase71 · 07-26-2002, 07:53 AM

So, there I was, walking down the street when these teenagers in paper hats jumped out, wrestled me to the ground, and shoved Whoppers down my piehole....

Oh wait.. I drove there? I ordered the food? I paid for it?

You mean, I'm responsible? But... but... no! It can't be!

Geesh.

dbax791 · 07-26-2002, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jase71
So, there I was, walking down the street when these teenagers in paper hats jumped out, wrestled me to the ground, and shoved Whoppers down my piehole....

That had me rolling, jase!

Yeah, I agree 100% w/the personal responsibility thing. There was a good article about that, I'll see if I can dig it up.

johnnymk · 07-26-2002, 08:22 AM

That settles it, I am suing GotApex for Forum Addiction!...

BTW, did you notice in the article that the lawsuit hadn't been SERVED yet? Guess they're going to check it for fat content.

Merlin · 07-26-2002, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jase71
So, there I was, walking down the street when these teenagers in paper hats jumped out, wrestled me to the ground, and shoved Whoppers down my piehole....

At least it wasnt your OTHER hole.

jase71 · 07-26-2002, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnnymk

BTW, did you notice in the article that the lawsuit hadn't been SERVED yet? Guess they're going to check it for fat content.

I'm guessing it's the high fat content between this guy's ears that caused the problem, not around his waist...

Kim · 07-26-2002, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jase71
So, there I was, walking down the street when these teenagers in paper hats jumped out, wrestled me to the ground, and shoved Whoppers down my piehole....

Oh wait.. I drove there? I ordered the food? I paid for it? You mean, I'm responsible? But... but... no! It can't be!

Geesh.

Bwaaaaahahahah...I can so picture this!

Jenny · 07-26-2002, 08:45 AM

Geez...

I'm overweight. I know that. I eat fast food too much. I don't get enough exercise.

But you know what?

I KNOW that it's my fault.

Some people...

SnowSurfer · 07-26-2002, 08:48 AM

lol thats great. i heard this story on the news yesterday. wow someone is taking advantage arent they. surprising he has enough money to hire a lawyer after all the restraunts forcing him to order food

brainsmile · 07-26-2002, 09:27 AM

hmmm this opens the door for me to sue some parents for ugly children.

jujubees · 07-26-2002, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brainsmile
hmmm this opens the door for me to sue some parents for ugly children.

What did my parents ever do to you?

SnowSurfer · 07-26-2002, 09:41 AM

yeah i want to sue dell for making me buy 4 computers from them. those bastards

lol

ribitch · 07-26-2002, 09:52 AM

how much do you think they will win?

What lazy fat bastards

brainsmile · 07-26-2002, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SnowSurfer
yeah i want to sue dell for making me buy 4 computers from them. those bastards lol

GOOD IDEA... first I'll sue Dell for this guy

johnnymk · 07-26-2002, 10:02 AM

Got/MaximumNerd?

SnowSurfer · 07-26-2002, 10:08 AM

yea him too. i cant beleive them. but anyway i think the fat guy will get tons of money to buy more fastfood. but thats just my take on it

faither · 07-26-2002, 10:47 AM

Okay, now let's sue the television networks for making people stupid.

That's one of the beautiful things about this country; there's no need to take any personal responsibility FOR ANYTHING. Don't like the outcome of a situation -- just sue someone (preferably with very deep pockets).

CluelessSi · 07-26-2002, 11:13 AM

hmm.. sue the porn industry for feeding lust....

Sir_Froggy · 07-26-2002, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brainsmile
GOOD IDEA... first I'll sue Dell for this guy

hahahahaha

Merlin · 07-26-2002, 01:02 PM

One cool thing about this...You know how the side of a pack of cigarettes says that smoking will kill you...How perfect if a Big Mac wrapper had a warning label. "Warning: Eating this McFood of dubious nurtitional quality will contribute to your obesity and eventual death"

ha ha ha.

Over 300 trillion served.

ribitch · 07-26-2002, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by brainsmile
GOOD IDEA... first I'll sue Dell for this guy

hahahahahah thats awesome. i have suffered greatly due to that guy. he gives computer companies a bad name.

coleslaw · 07-26-2002, 03:43 PM

I think I'm going to sue the dancers at the gentlemen's clubs for turning me on. I had no idea that that would happen if I walked in there.

CynJon · 07-26-2002, 04:31 PM

I vote we find Jarod from the Subway commercials and have him kick this guy's a$$.

Just think, we'll all get to pay for this stupidity every time we order a bucket of chicken...

brainsmile · 07-27-2002, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CynJon
I vote we find Jarod from the Subway commercials and have him kick this guy's a$$. Just think, we'll all get to pay for this stupidity every time we order a bucket of chicken...

well I give props to that guy for actually accomplishing something...

that dell guy makes me wanna throw things at my TV

molecularfire · 07-27-2002, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CynJon
I vote we find Jarod from the Subway commercials and have him kick this guy's a$$. Just think, we'll all get to pay for this stupidity every time we order a bucket of chicken...

No... we are paying for us allowing a system that allows idiots to do $#!t like this. You give a gun to a monkey and the monkey shoots someone... you don't blame the monkey.

07-26-2002, 07:49 AM	#3
attgig Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: the ghetto's of bawlmo' Posts: 11,708	man...I can put a few smileys on here like disa, and too far...but ya know what... I'd rather have the stupid smiley without the i'm with... america....what a great legal system. __________________

07-26-2002, 07:53 AM	#5
jase71 Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: May 2000 Location: East of Eden Posts: 2,060	So, there I was, walking down the street when these teenagers in paper hats jumped out, wrestled me to the ground, and shoved Whoppers down my piehole.... Oh wait.. I drove there? I ordered the food? I paid for it? You mean, I'm responsible? But... but... no! It can't be! Geesh. __________________ And I found that hope and a lucky card were all I had to walk with me...

07-26-2002, 08:45 AM	#11
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	Geez... I'm overweight. I know that. I eat fast food too much. I don't get enough exercise. But you know what? I KNOW that it's my fault. Some people... __________________ Check out my spoilers for over 20 shows @ SpoilerFix.com Check out my TV blog, where I post weekly & daily TV schedules, TV news, interviews with TV stars & more! All new TV forums as well @ TV Is My Pacifier

07-26-2002, 08:48 AM	#12
SnowSurfer Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,616	lol thats great. i heard this story on the news yesterday. wow someone is taking advantage arent they. surprising he has enough money to hire a lawyer after all the restraunts forcing him to order food __________________ I have an athlon xp 2500+ ... aren't you glad you know that?

07-26-2002, 09:52 AM	#16
ribitch Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,672	how much do you think they will win? What lazy fat bastards __________________ http://ribitch.com/ipod.html

07-26-2002, 07:46 AM	#2
Sir_Froggy Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Del Mar Posts: 3,477	dangit! I was gonna post this! doh "diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol and the two heart" he sueing them? I mean I think he would have learned already, but nope the Blame Game

07-26-2002, 08:22 AM	#7
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,620	That settles it, I am suing GotApex for Forum Addiction!... BTW, did you notice in the article that the lawsuit hadn't been SERVED yet? Guess they're going to check it for fat content.

07-26-2002, 09:27 AM	#13
brainsmile Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: woah... why is welfareloser here with me so early in the morning and more importantly why am I wearing her clothes?!? Posts: 13,742	hmmm this opens the door for me to sue some parents for ugly children.

07-26-2002, 09:41 AM	#15
SnowSurfer Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,616	yeah i want to sue dell for making me buy 4 computers from them. those bastards lol

07-26-2002, 10:02 AM	#18
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,620	Got/MaximumNerd?

07-26-2002, 10:08 AM	#19
SnowSurfer Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,616	yea him too. i cant beleive them. but anyway i think the fat guy will get tons of money to buy more fastfood. but thats just my take on it

07-26-2002, 10:47 AM	#20
faither Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: FL Posts: 3,228	Okay, now let's sue the television networks for making people stupid. That's one of the beautiful things about this country; there's no need to take any personal responsibility FOR ANYTHING. Don't like the outcome of a situation -- just sue someone (preferably with very deep pockets).

07-26-2002, 11:13 AM	#21
CluelessSi Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,038	hmm.. sue the porn industry for feeding lust....

07-26-2002, 01:02 PM	#23
Merlin Admiral Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Square On My Arse Posts: 7,410	One cool thing about this...You know how the side of a pack of cigarettes says that smoking will kill you...How perfect if a Big Mac wrapper had a warning label. "Warning: Eating this McFood of dubious nurtitional quality will contribute to your obesity and eventual death" ha ha ha. Over 300 trillion served.

07-26-2002, 03:43 PM	#25
coleslaw Arrrhh! Join Date: May 2000 Location: LI NY Posts: 6,807	I think I'm going to sue the dancers at the gentlemen's clubs for turning me on. I had no idea that that would happen if I walked in there. __________________ A priest, a paladin and Varimathras walk into a bar...

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07-26-2002, 04:31 PM	#26
CynJon Commander Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The middle of the country Posts: 1,424	I vote we find Jarod from the Subway commercials and have him kick this guy's a$$. Just think, we'll all get to pay for this stupidity every time we order a bucket of chicken... __________________

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