NEW CITY, NY – A Rockland County man who suffered a severe allergic reaction from a slice of cheese on his Big Mac is now suing McDonald’s, claiming the incident almost cost him his life in February 2021.
The plaintiff, Charles Olsen, went into anaphylaxis after taking a bite of the burger, which resulted in an emergency rush to the hospital. Since then, he has changed his ordering habits at McDonald’s, opting for plain burgers with no cheese, and has even cut back on dining out in general.
Olsen’s attorney, Jory Lange, emphasized the severity of food allergies as a “life or death issue” and voiced the need for restaurants, including McDonald’s, to better serve customers with food allergies. Olsen also echoed this sentiment, stating that his hope is that his story will raise awareness about the serious nature of food allergies and promote better practices in restaurants.
Despite the ordeal, Olsen still frequents McDonald’s but sticks to plain burgers, fries, and Asian eateries, avoiding restaurants with heavy use of cheese and dairy products. His girlfriend, Alexandra DiBenedetto, described the traumatic experience and expressed her relief that Olsen survived the incident.
McDonald’s declined to comment on the lawsuit, although the owner of the franchise issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the complaint and the need to review the claims. The restaurant’s response suggests a potential consideration for improved training to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As for Olsen, he hopes to find some resolution through the lawsuit and ensure that what happened to him doesn’t happen to anyone else. His experience serves as a reminder of the importance of accommodating food allergies in the food service industry and the potential consequences of failing to do so.