(Daily360.com) A Wendy’s meal in Jenison, MI nearly led to the death of an 11-year old girl on August 1, 2022, and the family is suing for $20 million. Aspen Lamfers consumed a hamburger, chicken nuggets, and french fries at the Wendy’s location and became severely ill three days later. She was given a diagnosis of hemoolytic uremic syndrome that begins from E. coli exposure.
She was hospitalized for over four weeks and had lasting brain damage as well as kidney and pancreas damage. During the hospital stay, she had several seizures, paralysis and was given dialysis treatment.
The lasting effect of the brain damage the girl experience is shown in her school performance. She previously scored in the 70th percentile on the statewide Michigan examination, but has since scored in the 9th percentile. Before the illness she experienced, Lamfers was at a 6th grade reading level while she was in the 5th grade. As a 6th grader, she now reads at a 4th grade level.
The family’s lawyer Tom Worsefold said she will not be able to live a normal life after the severe health impacts she experienced from eating the meal at Wendy’s. After the hospital stay, she moved to a rehab facility on September 1. She went back home on September 9.
The family has spent approximately $500,000 in medical bills so far. They are expected to have another $1.6 million in medical expenses. Furthermore, the family is expected to miss out on $5 million in future earnings. The Wendy’s location had 17 health code violations less than a week before Lamfers visited the fast food restaurant on August 1.
The violations included “excessive” filth, improper hygiene procedures, and incorrect food storage temperatures. The restaurant also had moldy and spoiled food. The sanitizing liquid was found to be over-diluted and ineffective. At the time of the health code violations on July 27, the restaurant closed to retrain workers about proper procedures. The store reopened on August 1, which is the day Lamfers at the “Biggie Bag” meal.
Meritage Hospitality Group has five pending suits for contaminated lettuce in the summer of 2022. They have declined to settle the lawsuit outside of court.
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