**Colorado Man Files First Lawsuit Against McDonald's Amid E. coli Outbreak**

A Colorado resident has initiated the first legal action against McDonald's following an E. coli outbreak associated with its Quarter Pounder sandwiches, which has thus far resulted in 49 reported illnesses across 10 states and one fatality.

Eric Stelly, who purchased food from a McDonald's in Greeley, Colorado, began experiencing severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, cramps, and bloody stools, within three weeks of consumption. These symptoms are noted as common indicators of E. coli infection, according to his attorney, Ron Simon. Stelly sought medical attention in an emergency room and tested positive for E. coli. The plaintiff's lawyer announced that Stelly is still undergoing recovery.

The lawsuit, filed in a Cook County, Illinois court, where McDonald's corporate headquarters is located, claims product liability, negligence, and breach of implied warranties. It follows a food safety warning issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), linking the illnesses to the Quarter Pounder sandwich.

While the precise source of the contamination has not been confirmed, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that the slivered onions or beef patties in the Quarter Pounder are likely culprits. McDonald's has removed Quarter Pounders from the menu in about 20% of its stores and halted the use of onions and quarter-pound beef patties in several states including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming, among others.

According to McDonald's USA President Joe Erlinger, affected ingredients are likely no longer in the supply chain, and consumers can safely enjoy McDonald's products. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the number of reported illnesses could rise as the CDC continues its investigation.

Ron Simon, who leads a national food safety law firm, is representing Stelly as well as at least 10 other individuals affected by the outbreak. Simon emphasized the significance of the crisis and expressed intentions to ensure compensation for the victims and the implementation of permanent health safeguards by McDonald's and its suppliers.

A second lawsuit was filed by Simon on behalf of Clarissa DeBock, a Nebraska resident diagnosed with E. coli after eating at McDonald's. Like Stelly, DeBock is still recovering from the illness.

In response to the outbreak, McDonald's has made substantial changes to its menu and suppliers have taken preventive measures. Taylor Farms Colorado, implicated in the supply chain, has removed yellow onions from the market despite finding no E. coli traces in their products. The FDA and CDC investigations continue as efforts to pinpoint and mitigate the source proceed.