Jury awards family $800K in Chicken McNuggets burn case

Originally Published: 19 JUL 23 20:53 ET

By Jamiel Lynch, CNN

(CNN) — A Broward County jury has awarded a Florida family $800,000 in a civil lawsuit against McDonald’s and one of its franchisees after a toddler was burned by hot chicken nuggets.

In May, the jury found that McDonald’s and franchise owner Upchurch Foods were liable for failing to properly warn or provide reasonable instructions on the possible harm from the hot McNuggets dispensed at a Tamarac, Florida, drive-thru, as CNN affiliate WPLG previously reported.

Today, the jury awarded the family a total of $800,000 for pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish, inconvenience, and loss of capacity for enjoyment of life. That includes $400,000 for injuries sustained in the past and $400,000 for damages the jury determined will be sustained in the future.

In a statement, attorneys for the family said, “This momentous decision brings meaningful closure to an arduous and protracted legal process. Having previously established the defendants, Upchurch Foods Inc and McDonald’s USA LLC, as liable for their wrongful actions, this verdict reaffirms that they must now face the consequences and provide full justice.”

CNN has reached out to attorneys for Upchurch Foods and McDonald’s for comment.