Thought you might like this one... - Clubhouse

Nessie

30/09/2002 at 12:45

Newspaper report:

Overweight kids sue fast food giant

TWO OBESE teenagers are suing McDonald's for millions of dollars - for making them fat.

Both girls, who come from New York, are at least five and a half stone overweight. They claim that the fast food giant is to blame for their obesity after having eaten the chain's burgers and fries several times a week for years.

The unnamed teenagers, one of whom is 5ft 9ins tall weighing 19st and the other 5ft 3ins and weighing 14st, are claiming that the chain's meals are unhealthy, and have led to them becoming overweight and developing serious health problems, including heart disease.

The two girls, whose parents have filed the lawsuit in New York on their behalf, stand to win millions of dollars in compensation if they're successful.

30/09/2002 at 12:57

I'd love to see McDonalds lose but its a dangerous trend. I could sue RW for making me want to run!

Don Minquez

30/09/2002 at 12:59

They are thinking about putting health warnings on the wrappers so that this won't happen again!

Velociraptor

30/09/2002 at 13:06

What does it profit a woman if she gains millions of pounds but loses her internal locus of control and screws her life up pursuing litigation? (from St Velociraptor's Epistle to the Forumites)

Parsley

30/09/2002 at 13:08

It's amazing the lenghs some people will go to so that they don't have to take responsbility for their own actions.

Caz

30/09/2002 at 13:18

I think it makes the kids and the parents look thick like they couldn't work this out for themself. They're just out to make a fast buck. I hope they lose.

Hobble Goblin

30/09/2002 at 13:19

I'd like to see what they ate for the rest of their meals because I bet it wasn't just fresh fruit and veg.

The Bobolink

30/09/2002 at 13:23

It probably dawned on them that they were overweight when they could no longer get through MacDonalds doors.

Caz

30/09/2002 at 13:24

Actually I've have another thought, I think the parents should be done for bringing their kids up so badly and not following the governments guidelines on healthy eating, I mean it's published enough, in the papers, on the tv. They should be done for child abuse or something. (Ok I'm rattled now.)

Velociraptor

30/09/2002 at 13:33

That was tried in the USA a few years ago. It was something really appalling like a 30-stone eight-year-old girl who was confined to her room because she couldn't move due to her size. I can't remember the outcome.

These extreme cases aren't the real issue, though. If EVERYONE in the country whose BMI is over 25 lost just ONE kilogram, it would have a big impact on the rate of obesity-related diseases.

I don't like Macdonalds, but I like frivolous litigation even less. I hope Ronald's lawyers blow the case off the face of the earth. Nobody forced the disgusting little bloaters to eat so much - because nobody ever got fat on ONE Happy Meal three times a week, and my kids certainly didn't when we employed a lovely nanny whose approach to catering was regular trips through the Arches.

charlie pinapple

30/09/2002 at 13:33

I can't beleive they will succeed.

Dustin

30/09/2002 at 13:35

It's about time people wised up and took some responsibility for their actions.

I just hope that the ridiculous levels of litigation seen in the US don't surface here.

Wrinkly Smurf www.coastersgb.co.uk

30/09/2002 at 13:38

I'd love to see McDonalds win but there was a case in America recently where a woman sued a shop because she tripped over a toddler and broke her ankle. It was her own child but she still won!

Twin Dad Twice

30/09/2002 at 13:39

Hear hear, V-rap! How far back do these litigious troughers want to go? How about they sue their parents for passing on stoopidity genes.

Shuffle

30/09/2002 at 13:46

I guess it's some bold litigator's attempt to extend the example relating to "I smoked too much and it's killing me now so it must be the tobacco manufacturer's fault".

However, what are you going to put on food to avoid liability - "Eating too much will make you a lard-arse"? Or how about "If you weren't so neglecting, you may have noticed that your kids haven't received any basic nutrition education from you or, if they have, they've neglected it and you now have a fat kid who is not only unhealthy, but probably also gets bullied at school (if she isn't playing truant by now unable to take it any more) and will end up massively unhappy, if not anorexic too."

Litigation sometimes seems to be people's excuse for their own stupidity, lack of education or neglect. That's not what it's there for. Litigation is a solution to help put right something where an injustice has been done, not as compensation for one's own failings.

charlie pinapple

30/09/2002 at 13:58

Does anyone know if MCD's has ever denied that their food was unhealthy?

charlie pinapple

30/09/2002 at 13:59

Also does anyone know how to shrink a picture so that it fits the 100x120 pixel requirement to post it on the board

Dustin

30/09/2002 at 14:00

Its only unhealthy if its all you eat.

Fruit is good for you, but if you eat nothing else.....

Caz

30/09/2002 at 14:04

You'll be Dustin-with-runs!

Shuffle

30/09/2002 at 14:05

Charlie - ask that on the tech forum - you should get an answer.

Dustin...all fruit will be a very messy experience!