Disabled? Why Not Sue McDonald’s
July 12, 2007 by Sean Kelly
Filed under Business
(franchisepick.com) Dawn Larson suffers from a birth defect that left her without arms. Recently, she was treated very rudely by some McDonald’s employees. Dawn Larson is suing McDonald’s for $4 million plus costs. Most blog readers support her and hope she wins. After all, McDonald’s is obviously a cold-hearted greedy corporation only interested in financial gain and Dawn is a courageous advocate for respecting the handicapped.
Or is it the other way around? Could it be that McDonald’s Corporation, not Dawn Larson, has fought to improve the lives and create respect for people with disabilities? Could it be that Dawn Larson and her attorneys are the ones whose motives are financial gain?
McDonald’s Cold-Hearted War on the Disabled:
McDonald’s Corporation was on of the first companies to prominently and positively feature people with handicaps in commercials.
McDonald’s Corporation is listed among the Top 50 Employers for People with Disabilities (2001 – 2002, 2004)
McDonald’s Corporation was recently awarded the 9th Annual Henry Betts, MD, Employment Advocacy Award to for its global commitment to the employment of people with disabilities.
McDonald’s restaurants, head office and regional offices are designed to allow ease of access for employees and visitors who have special needs.
McDonald’s produced and distributes a video (’Customizing Customer Service’) to all its restaurants in the U.S. that promotes positive attitudes towards people with disabilities. It promotes good employment practices and raises awareness amongst restaurant managers of disabled people, both as employees and customers.
McDonald’s is a partner with Scope (for people with cerebral palsy) and is working with the Multiple Sclerosis Society on their ‘MS and Employment’ project.
In the early 1990s, McDonald’s launched the McJobs program, which trains and places mentally and physically disabled people in meaningful jobs that increase their independence and self-confidence.
More than 2,000 people with disabilities are employed in McDonald’s workforce in Europe. In Japan, 3 to 4 percent of McDonald’s employees are people with disabilities, making them worthy of being honored with Tokyo Governor’s Award and the Labor Minister’s Award.
Dawn Larson’s Selfless Crusade for the Handicapped:
“This isn’t about the money,” contends Larson’s attorney (with a straight face).
All she wants is for McDonald’s to change its policy to treat all customers better, contends Dawn Larson. She wants people to feel comfortable paying and taking their food from the drive-thru window with their feet. That’s all. Just that and $4 million in punitive damages and more than $50,000 in actual damages.
The MC Donalds corperation needs to be closed down the Mc Donalds corperation needs to be sued for over 9 billions of dollars for discrimation
The Mc Donalds corporation needs to be closed down completey The Mc Donalds corporation needs to be sued for over 9 billions and 9 billions of dollars for discrimation
nadine says: The Mc Donalds corporation needs to be closed down completey
McDonald’s reported sales of $21.58 billion and employed 465,000 people in 2006.
You would like to see 465,000 people lose their jobs? Why?
Mc Donalds corporation needs to be closed down completey for discrimation why do I want to see Mc Donalds employees lose their jobs because they treat disabled people mean thats why and are to racist too so thats why and Mc donalds corporation needs to be sued for over 10 billions of dollars for discrimation
Mc Donalds corporation needs to grow up why do I want to see Mc Donalds employees lose their jobs because they treat disabled people mean thats why and are to racist too so thats why and Mc donalds corporation needs to be sued for over 10 billions of dollars for discrimation
mc donalds needs to be sued for 999 billions of dollars for discrimation okay close down the mc donalds corporation mc donalds is to nasty Dawn Larson you do need to sue mc donalds for 999 billions of dollars for the way they treated you so please Dawn sue mc donalds for 999 billions of dollars you deserve respect too
Hello Dawn Larson I am Nadine Dambra you do need to sue mc donalds for 9999 billions of dollars for the way they treated you you deserve respect too you are a normal person too people with disabillites need to be treated with respect too
Dawn Larson I am Nadine Dambra I hope you sue Mc Donalds for 999 billions of dollars for the way they treated you I am disabled my self and Mc Donalds dose it to me too I want to sue mc donalds to for 999 billions of dollars too Mc Donalds is to discrimating to disabiled people too I see disabled people in wheel chairs walkers crutches that cant talk or hear go to mc donalds and how mc donalds treats them mc donalds needs to be sued for 999 billions of dollars for discrimation law enforcement needs to close down mc donalds corporation
THANK yOU!!
Dawn I hope you do sue mc donalds for 999 billions of dollars for discrimination for the way they treated you mc donalds is too nasty I have seen it too I hope you sue mc donalds for 999 billions of dollars for discrimination too sincerly nadine dambra
MC Donalds needs to be sued for 999 billions of dollars for discrimination and Mc Donalds needs to be sued for 999,99 billions of dollars for invading other companies proberty too i am sick of mc donalds not respecting other people other people are sick of mc donalds not respecting others too
How F-in Dare McDonald Employees refuse service to a diabled women. Stupid racist ass B****. McDonalds needs to be sued for all that they GOT!!! This is NOT about the money, selfish ass corporation. This is about Justice, this is to show McDonalds not to ever pull this kind of SH** EVER again. Damn hypocrites!! McDonalds use to support Handicaps and Disabled and now they are refusing service. FU** YOU MCDONLADS!!!!!!
I really don’t get it.
Did you read the post? McDonald’s is one of the most active employers of the handicapped and disabled. They have manuals, videos and training to try to get their employees to treat disabled and handicapped customers with respect.
You guys want to sue them so they’ll have to lay off a bunch of workers – including the handicapped? Do you want to send them the message that they shouldn’t bother with those programs because the disabled will scream, complain and sue them anyway.
Everybody wants to blame big businesses like McDonald’s for all their problems. Sometimes, though, they’re just hurting themselves by disincentivising them from doing the right thing.
To Nadine: Do you realize that when you say, “McDonald’s employees are racist”, it is the same thing as saying “handicapped people are stupid” or “black people don’t know how to read” or “white people are nerds”. You are spreading hatred with hatred. Do you actually think that the average person will read your post and be convinced by what you say?
no shirt no shoes no service
to kizzan yes i mean what i said mc donalds is nasty and to discriminating too okay do you reallize discrimination is against the law too so you as a mc donalds employee you the one was has hatered not me stop your nasty crap and learn to respect people as people okay i am not racist you are as a mc donalds employee mc donalds sucks and needs to be sued of over 99.88 billions of dollars too by people and places too nadine
WHAT EVER YOU DONT EVEN HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT SO EVER SO DONT EVEN USUME OR MAKE YOUR IGNORANT COMENTS UNLESS YOU DO……….
dawn you deserve respect you are a pretty lady dawn you are a wonderfull person too i am disabled too and mc donalds discriminates against me too mc donalds is very nasty dawn you have the right to be treated with respect too sincerly nadine
AND YES I AM READING ALL OF IT.EVEN YOURS SHAWN AND YOU SURE DO HAVE YOUR FOOT N YOUR MOUTH WITH EXTRA TOE JAM AND “COLD” COFFEE!! JUST BECAUSE YOU WORK FOR THESE PEOPLE DOESNT MEAN THAT YOU ARE HOLY!! YOUR MOMMAS NO BETTER THAN MINE!! I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU WALK ONE DAY IN MY SHOES! “I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT YOU COULDNT DO IT! IT TAKES WILL POWER NOT MONEY AND A BIG MOUTH AND HIDING BEHIND A WEB SITE! I AM MAKING A POINT! NOT JUST FOR ME BUT FOR MY BABIES AND EVERY OTHER NOT SO “PERFECT” HUMAN BEING! IT IS AFTER ALL AMERICA, RIGHT? EQUIL RIGHTS….FREEDOM OF SPEECH……CANT EVEN GET WHAT I PAID FOR? HOW WOULD “YOU” LIKE IT? LET ME STOP YOU FROM FEEDING YOUR KIDS! OR DO YOU EVEN HAVE ANY? LOL! SO WHAT ARE YOU AND MC DONALDS HITLER NOW BECAUSE YOU HAVE MONEY AND PENCILS TO PUSH? YOU DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT TOE JAM IS……? NO WONDER YOUR “BIG” CO. BRAINS ARE SOOOOO DICTATING! YOU WASNT THERE AND “YOU” DONT EVEN KNOW ALL THE FACTS SO MAYBE YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR IGNORANT OPPIONS TO YOURSELF UNTIL YOU DO! I HAVE RIGHTS EVEN WHEN IT COMES WITH TOE JAM! I CAN WALK CIRCLES AROUND YOU IN LIFE WITH MY HANDS BEHIND MY BACK! AND I CANT EVEN GET THE KID A HAPPY MEAL! HOW SAD!
Dawn:
I mean you no disrespect. Quite the opposite. If you consider what I am really saying, you’ll realize that my criticism of your lawsuit is because I admire you and because I have concern for those with physical and emotional challenges.
To be able to accomplish what you have, you must have refused to let outside factors – like barriers, other people’s opinions, and fate itself – have control over you. It must take a lot of strength to listen to others complain about petty things and blame others for their problems when they can’t even imagine the types of challenges you face – and overcome – daily.
Your accomplishments could teach a powerful lesson that people can burn themselves up with rage at the unfair hand they were dealt – or they can put their energy into doing what might seem impossible – like driving, raising a family, and all you’ve accomplished.
I was sad for you when I read about the lawsuit, because it seemed to me you were giving in to blind anger – over a fast food meal. You can pretend it’s about principle, but it’s clearly about money and anger. If it were about principle you would only be suing the individuals who mistreated you, not the company with a foundation, training programs, wheelchair ramps, ADA bathrooms and strict rules against discrimination. What economic incentive does McDonald’s have to discriminate? Don’t they want your money? Don’t they want you back at their drive through as often as possible?
If it were about principle, you would be suing the individuals who were unfeeling and insensitive. But, of course, the people to blame don’t have money, do they? And if you wanted to sue them you’d have to pay a lawyer – because no one would take the case on contingency unless there are deep pockets to reach into.
Read Nadine’ messages above. Like you, she was dealt a cruel hand in life and no one knows why. It sucks. It’s not fair. But McDonald’s didn’t cause her problems and if every McD’s burned down tomorrow she’d be no better off would she? Sadly, your story just legitimizes her anger and fuels her desire for revenge against something or someone, instead of inspiring her to be positive and refuse to accept the role of victim – even if she is.
dawn yes i am disabled too my mom passed away no i dont have my foot in my mouth or toe jam i dont work at mc donalds i just see how mc donalds treats us disabled people if i was in your shoes i feel the same way as you do i know the feeling every day of my life yes it takes will power too i know you care for you and your babies too mc donalds is too discriminating too i help the ada allot because i to am disabled too sincerly nadine
sean mc donalds is too nasty and mc donalds fast food resturants keep discriminating against us allot we as disabled people have rights of freedon us disabled people have the rights of speech us disabled people deserve respect too i dont work at mc donalds fast food resturants i never will my friends who are disabled tryed to work at mc donalds mc donalds keeps discriminating against them this needs to stop now stop mc donalds fast food resturants from discriminating too i am for the ada too my friends who are disabled when they go to mc donalds mc donalds dont even care to help them stop mc donalds fast food resturants from discriminating now i hate mc donalds close all mc donalds fast food resturants down for good
Nadine:
You deserve respect and should be treated with respect.
People in this society should learn to treat you, Dawn and all disabled people respectfully, and should be aware of the extra challenges that you face. Not out of pity, but because that’s how a decent society should act.
But McDonald’s is not the problem. McDonald’s is not rude, the people who work there are. Why not sue their parents for not raising them to treat others better? Why not sue thier churches for not making them be kind? Why not sue the schools for not teaching them how other people live? Why not sue the people themselves?
McDonald’s has policies against discrimination, and should enforce them. But they sell hamburgers and fries. Why would you blame them for not fixing all the problems that parents, the schools, the churches and the government have failed at fixing?
Nadine: I’m sorry to hear about your Mom. My mom passed away not too long ago. It’s very difficult, even when you’re grown. I’m sure she’s still with you, giving you strength.
sean thank you so much yes mc donalds is nasty and to discriminating too mc donalds needs to keep their big m sign on their own property and keep their big m sign off of others places proberties that big m sign needs to be burned down all mc donalds fast food resturants need to burn down completely
FineTooner wrote here:
http://www.disaboom.com/Blogs/finetooner/archive/2008/07/30/excessive-damages-in-lawsuit.aspx
Many of you have probably heard this story. I use it in one of my classes as an example of discrimination based solely on a disability. Does this woman have a right to compensatory damages? You bet! However, is FOUR million dollars excessive? What do you think? Can you see both sides? The story will enrage some of you but try and remain objective in your opinions.
My response:
Thanks for the link & discussion.
I’m interested in your opinion. I work with many franchise companies. They have no interest in discriminating – they want everyone’s money – handicapped included. And they sorely need employees – handicapped included. People want to vent and they feel it’s safe to direct it at a big corporation, especially McDonald’s.What good does it do to sue the company with training & CS programs that prohibit discrimination… While the people who need the real lessons walk away scot free having learned nothing.
This would be a hollow victory at best, and only discredits activists as being in the same line as everyone else trying to reach in the deep pockets. These guys get sued every day… at the end of the day you’ll just end up paying more for your value meal.
The only ones who win, of course, are the lawyers. As usual!
mc donalds fast food restuarants need to be closed down for good okay mc donalds fast food restuarants are too nasty to the public too mc donalds fast food restuarants have no respect for people and places the public needs to stand up and sue mc donalds fast food restuarants for over 999,99999 billions billions even trillions of dollars too lets put mc donalds fast food restuarants out of bussiness for good
how does she drive without hands…. she shouldnt be going through a drive through by herself…..
shut up bee she can drive through that drive through if she wants too okay bee you and other mcdonalds employees need to be sued for 999 billions of dollars okay mcdonalds employees like you dont know anybetter so shut the fff up bee
Sean,
You make a valid point regarding who Dawn should be suing. It doesn’t matter how much money McDonald’s loses in lawsuits, there will still be racist and rude people in the world. Even in the scenario where Dawn would win and McD’s would have to pay $4 million, this rude employee would still work there and she would get treated the same the next time around.
Unless the goal is to make sure she has enough money so she doesn’t have to eat at McDonalds.
Also, did Dawn complain to the management and try to get the rude employee fired? That would have had a real effect on the employee and maybe he/she would reconsider their negative ways. If not, they would likely end up at another fast food restaurant, probably the next one Dawn chooses to dine at.
…did Dawn complain to the management and try to get the rude employee fired? That would have had a real effect on the employee and maybe he/she would reconsider their negative ways.
I’d take it a step further – why not sue the employee, since the actions were her own and not within McD’s guidelines? Make her go without a cell phone, cable TV and getting her nails done for a year or two and she’ll develop a sensitivity to those with disabilities real fast.
As it is now, she’s probably being rude to people over at the BK drive-thru across the street.
Unless the goal is to make sure she has enough money so she doesn’t have to eat at McDonalds.
Bingo. It’ll be Panera for Dawn & Ruth’s Chris for her lawyer if all goes well.
…you and other mcdonalds employees need to be sued for 999 billions of dollars okay mcdonalds employees like you dont know anybetter so shut the fff up bee…
That’s not very nice, nadine.
sue mcdonalds for over 999 billions and trillions of dollars okay mcdonalds is not allowed to take the money before the customer gets the food okay okay stop mcdonalds from taking the money before the customer gets the food okay mcdonalds is too fff nasty okay sue mcdonalds for over 999 billions even trillions of dollars too
“how does she drive without hands…. she shouldnt be going through a drive through by herself…” Bee said. OK Bee…..itch Ha! Sorry I didnt see that restriction on the back of MY drivers license that the STATE OF ILLINOIS issued to me. So with that said please B quiet Bee unless you know the facts first! P.S…..Sean…you truly should be ashamed of yourself! I should be suing YOU for slander. Hmmmm what lawyer shall I pick this time? Anyone got any suggestions??
Dawn:
You can’t sue someone simply for disagreeing with you.
I am not slandering you and won’t meet the criteria for your lawyers. As you know, attorneys are interested in deep pockets. Unfortunately, my pockets have more in common with drive-thru workers – whom you didn’t sue – than McDonald’s – whom you did.
What do you think about the comment by Wonka? Why are you suing McDonald’s and not the actual offender or offenders? What did McDonald’s do wrong?
Because it went all the way down the line and not one person did a single thing about it on more than one occasion. And their still trying to ignore the fact that it even happened. And no Im not going to sue for these messed up sites. I am going to try to let you be seen for what this is. But I really would like to know why you have gone to such great lengths to do what your doing? And to you Bee I am sorry for my choice of words. This whole thing is getting very tiresome! And I just I needed to defend myself. But really I dont because I know better.
i too am curious how one can safely operate a motor vehicle without any arms.
Dawn, you cant get uppity and threaten to sue everyone with an opposing opinion, especially when these opinions are paired with articulate questions that seem to receive no answer but the “i am right and you are not”
McDonald’s the building, company or restaurant chain really did nothing to harm you, it was the individual who chose to.
and while you extract your revenge against the whole company, the person who wronged you learns nothing about what they have done and why its wrong
if you never teach your dog not to poop on the couch, are you really that surprised when you come home to a steaming log on the sofa?
Grieving? Why not sue McDonald’s?
Here’s another case of blaming McDonald’s for everything.
A 6′4″ 21 year old drunken football player attacks a guy, bodyslams him, then is killed by the guy he attacks.
Who’s at fault? McDonald’s, of course, because he attacked a guy in the drive thru lane at 4 am. The parents are suing McDonald’s because they didn’t have 24-hour security to stop their kid from being a dangerous, drunken moron.
McDonald’s is to blame for all moronic actions by all morons.
And they thought they were in the Burger business!
http://www.bizzia.com/franchisepick/grieving-why-not-sue-mcdonalds/
Why don’t you inspire people and be an example of you can be/do anything in life, than rather sue ppl for making a comment. My friend Jon gets made fun of a lot, and he just makes fun back… and he has no arms too!!!
jonsheptock.com
sven says: if you never teach your dog not to poop on the couch, are you really that surprised when you come home to a steaming log on the sofa? Just maybe sven if you would have put your dog up before you left, you would not have had to clean the crap off of YOUR couch! The “dog” is not going to clean it up. You are! Maybe you should have trained him better! But even so, picking up the crap is “YOUR” RESPONSIBILITY! So yes sven you do make a valid point!
I completely agreed until I realized – I think – Sven was referring to McDonald’s as the party supposedly responsible to train the puppy. That’s just not the case.
McDonald’s didn’t raise these puppies. How much time do you think they have to train them before they start dropping your dollar menu items in the bag? Do you want to pay McDonald’s to take responsibility for bad parenting, lousy education and failing religious institutions? Do you want to pay them to educate and screen minimum wage employees to make sure they are 100% idiot free before they are allowed to work the drive thru? Are you willing to order off the Fifty Dollar Menu?
Look, McDonald’s employs 1.5 MILLION people and wait on 49 million per year. Think about that. Anyone who has worked with minimum wage/entry level workers can tell you that it’s a freaking miracle that they can get them to show up, fully dressed, sober, able to say “Do you want fries with that” and give you your correct change.
Dawn:
I tried to email you but it came back with the message “User mailbox exceeds allowed size:”
Can you email me at seankelly[at]ideafarm.net? Or let me know if I can resend?
Thanks,
Sean