A woman has filed a lawsuit against Wendy’s, claiming a double cheeseburger meal delivered to her home caused a bacterial infection that led to two hospitalizations and more than $93,000 in medical expenses.
Roxie Ellis Douglas, 68, from Chicago alleges she became sick after eating a double cheeseburger and baked potato ordered from a Wendy’s restaurant on Chicago’s South Stony Island Avenue on Aug. 5, 2025.
The lawsuit, originally filed July 30 in Cook County, was moved to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on Aug. 20 after Wendy’s requested the transfer and demanded a jury trial.
Douglas is seeking more than $50,000 in damages, alleging the fast food chain failed to safely prepare and serve the meal. USA TODAY has reached out to Wendy’s and the attorney representing Douglas for comment.
What does the lawsuit allege?
The lawsuit claims Wendy’s was negligent, sold an unsafe food product and failed to meet its legal obligation to serve food that was safe to eat.
Douglas claims the company failed to use safe food storage, handling and preparation practices, failed to inspect food and kitchen conditions for contamination and failed to eliminate harmful bacteria before serving the meal. The complaint also alleges Wendy’s failed to warn customers of the alleged danger and served food that was unfit for human consumption.
Woman says she became ill after eating Wendy’s meal
According to the complaint, Douglas ordered the meal online and received it in a sealed DoorDash delivery bag before eating it at home.
She alleges the food was contaminated with Campylobacter and other illness-causing bacteria before it left the restaurant. The lawsuit says she developed a Campylobacter bacterial infection that allegedly caused inflammation of the colon, severe diarrhea, dehydration, stomach illness, an elevated white blood cell count and low potassium levels.
Medical records included with the complaint show Douglas accumulated $93,578.24 in medical expenses. The records include emergency medical transportation, two hospital stays in August 2025 and follow-up care, including a colonoscopy in January 2026.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Campylobacter is among the most common causes of diarrheal illness in the United States. The bacteria is most often spread through raw or undercooked poultry or cross-contamination during food preparation, and adults 65 and older face a greater risk of severe illness.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT