No Shoes. No Hands. No Service… At McDonald’s
July 4, 2007 by Sean Kelly
Filed under Business
(FranchisePick.Com) I’m a compassionate person. I really am. So why do I feel like callously making fun of this brave handicapped woman?
The Chicago Sun Times reports that Dawn Larson, a woman whose birth defect left her with tiny hands about six inches from her shoulders, is suing McDonald’s Corporation because she grossed-out the drive-thru window staff so bad they handed the food to her son (who has one full-sized arm).
According to the Sun Times:
On Nov. 3, Larson pulled up to the speaker at a McDonald’s in Rockford and ordered food for her and her boys totaling $23.59. She drove to the first window and passed them her credit card, gripped with the toes of her left foot. The cashier took the card, processed her payment and handed the card back to her.
Imagine working the drive-thru window for minimum wage (or close to it). You’re already suffering from depression brought on by one-too-many McNuggets, by the likelihood you’ll soon be replaced by a call center in India, by wearing a paper hat and by having paychecks signed by Mayor McCheese. Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, there’s a bare foot outside your window waving a credit card between it’s toes. You have to take it and handle it.
According to a lawsuit Larson filed against the restaurant’s owner last week in Winnebago County, when Larson pulled up to the second window to get her food, an employee said “with a tone of disgust and repulsion,” “What’s the matter with you? . . . You ain’t got no arms. … Let me see your arms,” and drew back the bags of food from Larson’s outstretched foot. After making more allegedly rude statements, the employee closed the window and went to consult a manager, the suit states.
Some might think this is a bit exaggerated for monetary effect, but as one who has been to Rockford, I can attest to the authenticity of the dialect. It rings pretty true with my experience with a certain segment of the fast food workforce as well.
The manager appeared at the window and likewise stared in disgust at Larson while her children watched from their seats in the car, the suit states. Larson suggested that they hand the bags to her son, who has one full-size arm. He reached over and took them.
Larson later called a manager at McDonald’s to complain and was told “corrective action has been taken” against the employees, the suit says. McDonald’s sent her $10 in gift certificates.
This is a terrible situation for a handicapped woman to have endured, especially in front of her children. Why am I not feeling sorry for a woman who had to drink her baby bottle with her feet, who can ride a regular 10-speed bike, and who managed to raise four boys and “never dropped one of them”?
WHAT DO YOU THINK? IS THIS DISCRIMINATION? SHOULD MCDONALD’S HAVE TO PAY? LEAVE A COMMENT & BE HEARD!
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Thanks for your note. :)
I do see some of the points you make here (and admittedly, they do make me chuckle).
When I read the story initially, the first question that popped into my mind was, “Did she warn the person at the drive-through first?” I understand it could be startling, I’m wondering if she gave them a heads-up (I could totally make that a bad pun, but I’ll refrain) that she has to use her feet.
Were you able to find anything that answered that question?
I don’t think so. Though if she had, I’m sure the lady at the payment window would have gone on break pretty quick. There were two incidents at two separate McDonald’s… Both of them owned by the company.
Seems logical that she’d be used to getting the shocked reaction and could anticipate it. Maybe this time she was recounting it within earshot of a lawyer… who then started making that “cha-ching” sound in her ear.
OK…so, you had fun with this story. I just don’t see this incident as one that is supposed to be a test of HER character. Sure, she may be milking it…but so what! The story pretty much stands alone…we don’t need to embellish it with “poor McD’s employees” add ons….unless of course, you are just having fun with it.
Alexander
TheScroogeReport.com
Well… I admit to fun as a motivator, but also empathy for an employee who is suddenly, without warning, confronted with having to take a credit card from someone’s toes and then being scorned for being shocked by what must be an anticipated reaction.
The other employees are reprehensible and should be publicly humiliated and have to apologize on National TV, YouTube. They should be publicly skewered by Oprah. But why should McDonald’s be held responsible? McDonald’s trains employees to be polite & courteous. They can’t help it if some people are cretins.
But McD’s is successful so it’s ok to sue the crap out of them, no matter what. What’s the difference between her claims for millions and the lady who stuck the thumb in Wendy’s Chili? Both are going for six digits… so to say.
obviously McDonalds has no option but to control every aspect of their employees at all times!
apologys not being good enough is not a culture I like.
I feel suing is as far away from your recognition through accomplishment example as possible.
this lady has as little empathy for mcdonalds as their staff had for her. but of course they’re a corporation.
the employee could have been plain ignorant,
but this is where perception comes in
as also rudeness can be prompted by shock,
and some people have a real thing about feet.
I have sympathy with the lady having to constantly deal with these reactions.
now I’ve changed my mind about her just accepting the apology! sounds like the manager and the $10 didn’t make her feel they were taking her complaint seriously, which is fair enough.
I don’t think this is going to educate people who genuinely mean to cause her offence though, not teach consideration, just create inhibitions (not actually the word I want, something to do with covering disgust but not eradicating it) which will blow out of cover with more attitude.
hopefully the staff member has personally learnt they can’t react to people like that. I feel slightly sorry (slightly) for them for the over-reaction they probably got fired from their mcjob, and from the sound of the script was having a bad day and on their final straw anyway.
dammit. nope. I’m giving sympathy to the wrong people. just, what does suing acheive? rise above it was the advice I was given as a child. maybe what that means is keep your expectations low and accept any old excuse for being objectionable, be a victim and don’t expect respect…
suppose the option to sue is due to lack of ways to cast a spot of shame for the mcdonalds employee – some way to force them to understand this ladys life. some people can’t learn, though I think suing makes that less likely.
So this lady had the temerity to buy food while disabled. Our country, thank God, has laws to make businesses treat us disabled people’s money the same as ablebodied people’s money. If at least some of us don’t defend ourselves, even in court, how will businesspeople learn to behave themselves?
I work with franchise companies. Companies like McDonald’s spend hundreds of thousands of dollars per year just trying to train employees to be nice, polite and treat customers with respect. Not because they’re saints, but because it’s good business. Suing them does nothing except line the lawyers (and maybe Dawn’s) pockets.
Karen: Everyone citizen has the right to buy food and be treated with respect. If Dawn’s motives are pure, why not sue the individuals involved? Repossess their cars, freeze their bank accounts? Put their names – not McDonald’s – in the headlines? Don’t you think this would make every fast food worker in America rethink how they treat their disabled customers? None of them cares if their employer gets sued.
What ever happened to personal accountability?
haha i cant believe you said “foot the bill”
Real number one reason why you can’t feel sorry for this woman?
You’ve never been handicapped, don’t know what it’s like to be handicapped, and have no sympathy or respect for those who are handicapped.
Sorry, BC, but that’s BS. I invite you to address this issue, rather than invoke a pity party.
Anyone who can defend this woman’s lawsuit is handicapped with either a lack of brains or a lack of integrity. What did McDonald’s Corp. do wrong that they deserve to be sued in this instance? Do they encourage employees to demean the disabled? No. Do they forbid it? Of course they do. They are one of the largest employers of the handicapped. The only reason to sue McDonald’s rather than the individual employees is greed.
Why not hold the employees who did the deed responsible?
IMHO, the American Public needs to start using the body part they DO have (the one involved with thinking) instead of going along with the PC viewpoint. If they don’t, we may find ourselves invading one country because we were attacked by an entirely different one…
I don’t think Miss Larson was looking for anybody’s pity, she just wanted to be treated like a person, and not a freak of nature.
However, I accept your invitation. Allow me to address your points in the order they were, ah..pointed…
What did McDonald’s do wrong? There’s this thing called the Civil Rights Act. It’s up to a judge to determine if McDonalds broke this law by refusing to serve this woman, not once, but TWICE, and by more than one person, one of which was a manager.
And the law states that a business is responsible for the actions of the employees just as well as the employee represents that business while they were at work. This woman can’t sue the individual, according to the law, the employer is responsible. That has nothing to do with greed.
As for the amount she’s suing for, I doubt she will get the 4 million, not because she’s not entitled to it, because I believe she is. But because this case will ultimately most likely be settled out of court, and she’ll probably settle for a lot less than what she originally asked for. In negotiations like this, it’s standard procedure to start off with a larger amount.
I will agree with you that there’s too much PC Policing going on these days, but there’s being PC, and then there’s treating someone like a human being.
Empathy for Dawn Larson does not equal culpability by McDonald’s.
“…It’s up to a judge to determine if McDonalds broke this law by refusing to serve this woman, not once, but TWICE…”
She wasn’t denied service. She received her food in a timely, if humiliating, manner. She just was treated disrespectfully by two insensitive individuals who should be publicly shamed. Why would McD’s deny service? They spend millions on ads to get people there. They don’t dislike anyone if they’ve got $$ to spend.
“…This woman can’t sue the individual, according to the law, the employer is responsible. That has nothing to do with greed.” Wrong and wrong. Of course she can sue the individuals. Being employed is no shield for criminal OR civil liability. They were acting contrary to McD’s explicit policies. Why sue McD’s and not those responsible? One reason: $$$$$.
“… this case will ultimately most likely be settled out of court, and she’ll probably settle for a lot less than what she originally asked for. In negotiations like this, it’s standard procedure to start off with a larger amount.”
Exactly. That’s what this is all about. It’s extortion. Force McD’s to settle to minimize bad press. They get sued continuously by opportunists like Dawn Larson who slip on floors, spill coffee on themselves, plant foreign objects in their meals, and blame McD’s for making them fat. The lawyers are lovin’ it.
“…then there’s treating someone like a human being.” I agree. But think about it. What can McD’s do differently? They already train their people to be respectful, treat customers nice, etc. If this isn’t about money, Dawn shouldn’t settle behind closed doors. She should go after the individuals. Win a judgement against them, then offer to forgive it if they’ll go on Oprah and apologize during “Respect for All” week. Sponsored by McDonald’s.
I admire your compassion, but your blame is misplaced.
You say McDonalds wouldn’t refuse to take her money? You’re right! They did take her money, they just wouldn’t hand her the food she’d already paid for. But they would give it to someone who didn’t have “gross, dirty feet”.
“Employees act as the agent of their employer”, “The corporation is responsible for the actions of its employees”, this is the legal precedent that protects the individual from being sued.
Also, her rights weren’t violated by any single employee, management apparently backed up the actions of the employees involved.
Companies have policies against discrimination, but without proper training these policies are meaningless to the customer.
People sue for frivolous reasons all the time, I just don’t believe this is one of them.
Hypothetically, if McDonald’s had extensive training regarding discrimination, clearly written policies prohibiting discrimination and a signed agreement from the employees stating that they would adhere to those policies, would you still contend a multimillion dollar discrimination lawsuit against them is justified?
If, after all of that extensive training, policy reading and agreement signing, their employees and manager still discriminated against a handicapped person-Yes.
BC: Here is how your, and Ms. Larson’s, anti-business attitudes will likely INCREASE the discrimination against the handicapped.
You contend that even if a company does all it can to fight discrimination, and even if is 99% successful in reducing discrimination and increasing sensitivity among employees, they deserve to be sued for millions of dollars because they couldn’t wipe out the ingrained social attitudes, learned over a lifetime, in every single one of their hundreds of thousands of employees.
Will this encourage business owners to continue to prioritize anti-discrimination practices? Not a chance. It will lead them to the inevitable conclusion that even when they did all they could, they still got sued. So why bother? Discrimination lawsuits are just another cost of business. Might as well put the training dollars into the litigation budget, since the other side will never reward their efforts anyway.
Fast food is ultra-competitive and they seek to attract every type of profitable consumer they can. When they see the growth of the Hispanic market, they cater to its needs with bilingual menus, ads and products. Your attitude encourages companies to consider handicapped customers a liability, an undesirable consumer group not worth attracting. Public companies are legally bound to maximize profits for shareholders. They will not prioritize meeting the needs of the handicapped if their best efforts are rewarded by unwarranted, frivolous and unjustified lawsuits.
Because a person sues a business, doesn’t automatically make them ANTI-business, but in this case it makes them anti-DISCRIMINATION.
When Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat on that bus, did the bus company, or the country, for that matter, just jump to the conclusion that black people were a liability?
If an office worker is shown an instructional video, and signs a paper, and then sexually harasses a co-worker, is the co-worker is supposed to just accept it?
What I “contend” is, that a business should be held accountable for the actions of their employees. This is what motivates them to do the best job they can in hiring the best people for the job. Maybe the problem isnt the training or the
signing of agreements. Maybe its who is being trained.
It’s in a business best interest to treat all of their customers with respect. But when someone’s rights have been violated, the business needs to be held accountable.
I guess what Miss Larson should have done is just give up her right to eat at or go to whatever restaurant she wants. Maybe she should start going to Taco bell or Dennys instead. They certainly don’t discriminate there.
I realize your little article was meant to be humorous, but several points made were quite unfair, which prompted me to respond in the first place. It’s up to a judge to decide now if Miss Larson’s lawsuit is frivolous or not, and I for one
will be waiting to see how this turns out.
Feet are incredibly dirty parts of your body. Health departments would have a field day with someone putting their naked smelly foot up to the window.
Also, how is this driving safe? I can’t see how you could cover all of the aspects of driving in such an awkward position. I mean, what if it rains? Stop and go traffic? Accident? You can’t tell me that this is safe. Did she eat and drive? Hand food to her kids while driving with her feet?For the record, I’m all for helping the handicapped, but not at the sake of public safety.
It is awful that she has this disability, but the amount of money being pursued is quite ridiculous. Four million dollars won’t give her arms and it certainly isn’t restitution. Unfortunately, American “justice” will most likely grant it just because she is disabled.
BC! said: “If an office worker is shown an instructional video, and signs a paper, and then sexually harasses a co-worker, is the co-worker is supposed to just accept it?” Absolutely not. The creep who harrassed the employee should be held responsible, not the employer who tried to keep it from happening.
“When Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat on that bus, did the bus company, or the country, for that matter, just jump to the conclusion that black people were a liability?”
Did Rosa Parks sue for $4M then settle behind closed doors? No, because she attacked a misguided system and enacted change. Larson doesn’t attack the those who caused the problem, she attacks those she can extort for money.
BC: If you had a party at your house and a helper that you hired made a racist or discriminatory comment that offended a guest, I’m sure you’d encourage the offended person to sue you for all you had… perhaps settling for several years income at least… because, after all, people should not be accountable for their own actions. Because it happened at your place, you must be treated as a racist, right?
Your party analogy makes no sense in this situation. Because if I was throwing a party, I’m not a business and not required by law to treat my guests fairly, nor am I responsible for the actions of my employees. In the scenario that you have presented, you are entering into civil suit territory, and that isn’t what Miss Larson’s case is about.
That said, I will leave you with a link to an article that further explains what happened to Miss Larson, and her motives behind the lawsuit. Although I don’t expect you to sympathize or understand, because as I said in my very first comment, you appear to not understand, nor care, what it feels like to be discriminated against.
http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070707/NEWS0107/107070047
BC:
If you must nitpick, then change it to a Tupperware party. The point is personal responsibility. Are you willing to be be sued for the actions of someone whose actions you disagree with and prohibit? Why shouldn’t that person – not you – be held responsible?
Just because it’s a corporation doesn’t mean that real people don’t pay. People who have invested their savings in McDonald’s stock pay the bill, employees are affected and costs will be passed on to consumers. It’s estimated the average consumer pays over $3000 per year for frivolous lawsuit costs companies pass on to them.
I would submit that this kind of lawsuits hurts the disabled more than anyone. Lawsuits like this make companies and employers LESS sympathetic to the plight of the disabled because it shows that no matter how hard they try, no matter how many handicapped employees they train, no matter how many programs and charities they support, some opportunist and her lawyers will still take a run at them for millions of dollars. And all of those who are looking for someone to blame for their misfortunes will cheer them on.
Yes, this is discrimination; they did not serve this woman. They serve everyone else, but not her! that is making her not feel normal like most people. they DID take away her rights due to her needing to use her feet because her arms are small. how would other people feel if they were just like her with a genetic disease and were denied service. Yes the world would be awful and it already is. She ain’t a Muslim or anything like that, so why is she denied her order for her and her kids? She ain’t a danger or any threat to us. She is just a very kind and good mother to kid(s) who enherited her birth defect. They are just like us; human beings. As i always say, all of gods children, with disabilaties or none at all are still brothers and sisters of gods kingdom. So everyone is normal, they are just differint. That woman at the window should of been ashamed of herself, what is SHE was her and she wasn’t denied service? This woman was hurt badly, so i hope this don’t happen in thje future. We all should have our own rights.
Tiffany said: She ain’t a Muslim or anything like that, so why is she denied her order for her and her kids? She ain’t a danger or any threat to us.
Are you saying that it would be OK to discriminate against her if she were Muslim? Do you believe that all Muslims are a danger to us, and therefore should be denied service?
McDonald’s has been sued for making kids obese and having unhealthy food that gives us high cholesterol and raises our chances for a heart attack, right? If that’s true, didn’t the girl at the drive-thru do this nice mother a favor? Shouldn’t we happily serve those dangerous Muslims you refer to? Maybe even give them a discount? Put up Taliban Eat Free! banners?
Don’t you think if bin Laden had been eating at McDonald’s regularly, he wouldn’t be nearly so hard to find?
Tiffany said: That woman at the window should of been ashamed of herself, what is SHE was her and she wasn’t denied service?
I agree, Tiffany. I don’t think Dawn should sue McDonald’s because they are letting that rude drive-thru lady off the hook. I think Dawn should sue that minimum wage toejam hating drive-thru worker for everything she’s got.
Tiffany said: She ain’t a danger or any threat to us.
She is if you’re a business owner. How would you feel if you saw a handicapped person coming up to the business you’ve worked your whole life to build, and know if one of your idiot employees looks at them the wrong way or gags because they’re handed money between two toes that you could lose everything?
Think about it, folks. What if you leave Tiffany here in charge of your business while you go to lunch and she makes a face because one of them dangerous A-rabs wants to buy something?
Go after the bigots, not the poor business owners who are stuck with the meager pickings of our workforce. You won’t let them hire the good workers cuz they’re illegal immigrants, and then you penalize them for hiring ignorant U.S. citizens who don’t follow company non-discrimination policies.
Well, don’t come running to me when you’re buying your $5 cheeseburgers from a drive-thru McDonald’s vending machine. Or when McDonalds continues to outsource their drive-thru order-taking to them muslim call centers across the world.
You’ll have brought it on yourselves.
now sue mcdonalds fast food restuarants for over 999 billions of dollars even trillions of dollars okay close down all mcdonalds fast food restuarants for good lets but mcdonalds out of bussness for good
sean can i tell you some thing mcdonalds was very cruel too two of my handicapped friends too i am sick of mcdonalds i hate mcdonalds lets all sue mcdonalds for all they got even two of my handicapped friends are suing mcdonalds for over 999 billions of dollars for discrimination lets put mcdonalds out of bussness for good too put mcdonalds out of bussiness for good too
mcdonalds is to nasty sue mcdonalds for 999 billions of dollars even trillions of dollars too lets put mcdonalds out of bussiness for good
sean can i tell you some thing mcdonalds was very cruel too two of my handicapped friends too i am sick of mcdonalds i hate mcdonalds lets all sue mcdonalds for all they got…
Nadine: I’m sorry for what happened to your handicapped friends. I think that it’s terrible when people who have been burdened with extra physical challenges are mistreated and subjected to extra emotional challenges as well.
I’ve raised five kids. No one teaches you how to act around handicapped people, so I taught them to treat them like you’d want to be treated: with respect. Don’t stare, but don’t look away either. Assist them if they accept your offer to help, back off if they don’t. But treat them with the same respect as you would anyone else, and maybe a little more for the extra obstacles they must overcome.
Four of my kids have worked or are working in restaurants. If they were rude or disrespectful to a handicapped guest, it’s not likely that it’s the restaurant’s fault. Restaurants are in business to make money and handicapped guest’s money is as green as anyone’s. No, it would be MY fault for failing to instill proper manners and respect. And it would be their fault for acting insensitively and without regard for the feelings and rights of others.
Chances are, the employees who were rude to your friends have already left McDonald’s and are probably mistreating customers at Wendy’s or Taco Bell. It may feel good to sue McDonalds and lawyers will line up for a chance to pick Ronald McDonald’s pocket… but it’s not going to affect the real problem of insensitivity by individuals to handicapped individuals.
I don’t know if Dawn has gotten her inevitable settlement from McDonald’s, but she will. She will split the settlement with her attorney – who also is just interested in the money. And my guess will be that it will give Dawn little satisfaction other than monetarily – because she made it about the money – not about the real problem. I still think she’s an amazing person to accomplish all she has… I just find the lawsuit a bit disappointing.
Then again, it’s got us discussing it…
It is clearly a mistake on Dawn Larson and the employee’s for how this situation was handled. I believe McDonalds as a Corporation did nothing wrong. McDonald’s policies state that if a person that is handicap requires help and states they have a disability they are to be helped when help is asked for. The lady is protected from certain predigests only if the company caused harm by knowingly hiring people who are bigots, or for not providing ramps, handicapped restrooms, tables ect. The employees are not trained to overcome shock at a foot being shoved in their face. She really should have stated that she would be substituting one appendage with another. Not just for shock purposes but for hygiene purposes. For goodness sakes how many of us are raised with feet are gross and do not belong on or in things.
I am not stating that I believe that she wasn’t mistreated, that was certainly there but to hold an establishment responsible for peoples ignorance when it’s not a rocket science job is asking a bit much. The company should reprimand and educate the employee, but I feel it should not be responsible for others actions when it is not the companies fault. Not everyone has a rock solid mind to deal with things like this. To be honest most of the population would stop and stair if they noticed she was driving with her feet. Imagine the pile up from that.
I just find it hard to believe that this is the first time she’s had anyone at a drive through question her lack of hands while she’s in the driver’s seat.
Gina writes: I believe McDonalds as a Corporation did nothing wrong.
I agree with you, Gina. I think anyone looking at this fairly, and without anti-corporation bias, would agree with you, too.
I just find it hard to believe that this is the first time she’s had anyone at a drive through question her lack of hands while she’s in the driver’s seat.
You hit the nail on the head. I doubt she’d be suing if this were Ed’s Burger Hut or any of a million places that haven’t done an iota of what McDonald’s has for disabled employees, customers, and children.
This is suing the deep pockets of a company they think will give a big settlement. Money talks… it’s a shame Larson jumped on the lawsuit bandwagon. But that’s the American way…
Sean says –it’s a shame Larson jumped on the lawsuit bandwagon. But that’s the American way.” That’s because there are so many lawyers in the Yellow Pages advertising their services with big smiles.
I imagine she had some help from some attorney who thought the publicity, etc… might earn him a dollar one way or the other. If it is the “American Way” this is only because there are so many “sleeze” lawyers out there looking for a way to make a living.
All attorneys would know, of course, that the big MCD Corporation would assess the situation believing that the plaintiff would probably be thrown out of court OR that the Corporation could settle the matter for a few big Macs and attorney’s fees, and avoid the publicity.
Since these are Corporate- owned restaurants, Mrs. Larson’s attorney knows that the pockets are deep and filled with money. In a franchised unit, the pockets may not be so deep and the Corporation would have immunity because of its training manual—–and a jury would be made to understand that the independent owner of a franchise does do just the best they can to train their personnel according to the Corporation Manual.
I think Gina has it right —Mrs. Larson must be fully aware of the “shock” value of her condition. She probably isn’t ever surprised at the normal reaction to her disability, but she must enjoy the attention she gets, and if she can make a few dollars in a lawsuit and an attorney will take her to court —this IS the American way.
yes mcdonalds has to pay for it mcdonalds needs to be sued for over 9999999 billions of dollars for discrimination too and mcdonalds needs to stop taking your money before you get your order all restuarants you pay after you get your meal mcdonalds drive thru is to dam nasty get the food first then pay lets put all mcdonalds fast food restuarants out of business for good too sue mcdonalds for over 99999 billions of dollars close all mcdonalds fast food restuarants for good
the judge should know that mcdonalds has broken the law allot and that mcdonalds needs to be sued for over 99999 billions of dollars the judge should know that mcdonalds is not allowed to take money before the customer gets the food to i will tell the judge and law enforcement that mcdonalds did break the law put all mcdonalds fast food restaurants out of business for good
“I’ve raised five kids. No one teaches you how to act around handicapped people, so I taught them to treat them like you’d want to be treated: with respect. Don’t stare, but don’t look away either. Assist them if they accept your offer to help, back off if they don’t. But treat them with the same respect as you would anyone else, and maybe a little more for the extra obstacles they must overcome.” Sean said! You really know how to put YOUR FOOT IN YOUR MOUTH Sean! And YOU keep ding it. YOU really need to take your own advice! I feel for your kids if YOU are the one who sets the example for them. You are colder than your coffee! Your sites are VERY VULGAR! You dont even know me or my boys but yet you continue to slander and bash us all over the internet so you can try to get the whole world to laugh at us with you! Yeah you got your ignorant ones (like you Sean) . And then you have smart educated people that know better, and I really dont think they agree with you or what your doing! Like I said YOU need to be sued for slander against me and my boys! I will be talking to my attorney about your cyber bulling! You need to grow up and make better use of your time! Maybe try finding out the facts first? But you dont any of them so you have to make up stuff and make fun. GROW UP N GET A LIFE SEAN! N STAY OUT OF MINE!
“I just find it hard to believe that this is the first time she’s had anyone at a drive through question her lack of hands while she’s in the driver’s seat.” There you go again Sean! McDonalds is the only place EVER! GO INVESTIGATE IT FOR YOURSELF! AND QUIT CALLING ME A LIAR! Go to all the places I go and ask people! Until then……. SHUT YOUR @$@#!
Dawn:
I am not bashing you and I am not slandering you. I am just expressing my opinion about your decision to sue McDonald’s instead of the ignorant individual(s) responsible. In fact, I admire you for the adversity that you’ve overcome, and for your attitude.
I think your life – up to the lawsuit – is incredibly inspirational. You’ve accomplished much more than many people have, despite the kinds of challenges that might have been emotionally overwhelming to most others. I think that you’ve lived your life heroically, and if there isn’t a book and/or a movie about you yet, there should be.
In all you’ve accomplished, I think you send the message that individuals have the power to overcome incredible obstacles if they take responsibility for doing so and if they refuse to think of themselves as victims.
I admire all that you have accomplished and have great respect for you. I am sorry if you interpreted my opinions as disrespect for you as a person, because that was not my intention.
Your boys should be very proud of you. I’m sure they are and always will be. Even in suing you have stood up for what you believe in and spoken your mind. And you have been heard – and received overwhelming support from the national media and people from coast to coast.
But don’t you think that I, too, have the right to express my opinion? Do you think that I should be afraid to criticize your lawsuit because you might sue me next? I am not slandering you, Dawn. I am simply questioning your decision… and inviting others to discuss the situation.
McDonald’s is a company that spends millions of dollars each year trying to get employees to provide courteous and respectful service. The employee’s behavior was reprehensible, and certainly a violation of McDonald’s policies. McDonald’s also is one of the largest employers of the disabled workers and spends millions supporting diversity and charities like Ronald McDonald House.
You have taken responsibility for your actions. My question is: Why sue McDonald’s and not the individual or individuals who are actually responsible?
They are probably still out there, having learned nothing other than people will sue the employer, not them, for their offensive acts.
See now I almost feel bad for sounding so angry. I do believe in everyones right to voice their own opinion I truly do. But lets be fare about this Sean. You have my picture up with all your nasty quotes like TOE JAM and MCDONALDS DOESNT LIKE IT WHEN YOU WOLF DOWN THEIR BURGERS WITH YOUR FEET! That is very unfair and offensive. That is where I think you are going to far. And then you come to all of these assumptions with no facts to back them. I sincerely apologize for sinking as low as I did to say those things to you Sean, I really do! I would love nothing more to tell you all the facts but can not at the moment. I can tell tell you though that what I am after is equal rights for all handicapped people! If one has enough will to get up and do any kind of self care, more power to them! Why should should their rights be taken away because of ignorant people? Nobodys should! I truly am praying for some changes in the way McDonalds treats their disabled customers. Their money works as well as yours. No one should be treated how me and my children were for any reason. OK now they had my money and would not give me my food, why not give me my money back? Never once did they even offer to do that.So now it is considered theft wouldnt you say? And on ONE of the occasions it was a manager. So once again I apologize Sean. I will continue to move forward and not let this whole thing get to me. I know what happened and thats all that matters. God has all the control over everything anyway, and I know it will be alright. I know Im doing the right thing.
Hi Dawn! I’m so glad you took the time to say your piece. But I don’t think you owe Sean an apology. He can spout his discriminatory rhetoric on the internet, and then hide behind his right to freedom of speech. Why can’t you call him out on all of the BS he’s been spewing about you and your case, without even knowing or caring to know then details about. I gave up on trying to reason with this punk a while ago. Of course he’s going to take the corporation’s side, look at the website he’s writing about it on!
And Dawn, while I have your attention, I have a couple questions for you…
What ever happened with your lawsuit? Did you win? Or are you allowed to talk about it?
And also, did you type your comments with your feet? Just wondering….
Dawn Larson wrote: You have my picture up with all your nasty quotes like TOE JAM and MCDONALDS DOESNT LIKE IT WHEN YOU WOLF DOWN THEIR BURGERS WITH YOUR FEET! That is very unfair and offensive. That is where I think you are going to far.
You are right. I am sorry that I offended you. I guess I didn’t think about the person in a national news story actually reading my humble little blog… or caring what I had to say.
I apologize sincerely. And, as I said before, I am in awe of your accomplishments, your spirit, and your ability to overcome more adversity than few will ever know.
That said, if I hadn’t used the provocative (if crass) style I did, I doubt we’d still be generating comments on it 2 years later. So, being a bit offensive helped get your story out… and continues to get it out.
My style was not so much an attack on you as on these pious phonies who read these stories and pretend to agree but never really spent the time to actually think, or care, about the issue. I might not agree with you, but I actually am engaging in discussion not just saying “poor women! bad McDonald’s!” then eating there anyway.
Dawn Larson wrote: I would love nothing more to tell you all the facts but can not at the moment. I can tell tell you though that what I am after is equal rights for all handicapped people!
Guess what… that’s not what your lawyer is after. Your lawyer is after monetary damages… that’s all. That’s what they do; that’s their job. Yet that’s not what your goal is, so ultimately you will not be successful, even if you win.
The first instance where your lawyer’s interest deviated from yours was with who you sued. You didn’t sue the person or persons who were to blame – you sued the entity with the money. You wanted to make a statement but you won’t because McDs’ll pay your settlement from insurance and eventually pass it on to the consumer.
The next instance where your lawyer’s interest deviates from yours is that she’ll tell you not to discuss the case or it could be detrimental in court. So, here you are suing so you can publicize this injustice, only you’re not allowed to discuss it because it might weaken the monetary settlement. See the problem?
The final instance will be when your attorney explains that a gag order and nondisclosure are a requirement of the settlement. What do you think McDonald’s will be willing to pay a large sum of money for? Your silence. Do you really think they are going to pay without requiring you to never speak publicly about it again?
Do you see the conflict? I was wrong about your motives, I’ll admit. After reading your comments I see it’s not about the money for you. But the lawsuit IS about the money, and that’s your lawyer’s priority – or else she wouldn’t do it on contingency. You might have gone into it thinking you were championing the cause, but in the end, IMHO, you’re just angling going to be offered hush money and meanwhile a couple of insensitive idiots are off somewhere else without being held accountable for their despicable attitudes and behavior.
Please invite your attorney to come correct me if I’m wrong. I’ll apologize to her if I am… but I don’t think so.
i think you guys are taking it out of context to the matter at hand. basically Mcdonalds employees messed up they made fun of the handicapped because they were shocked at what they saw and as usual with how teens are and even adults in rural areas they dont give a flyin f*ck about other people then themselves. yes the mcdonalds corp is to blame because they employed the people who are selfless idiots who would rather pick on the people less then them so they feel alright about themselves later on. Ive worked with the mcdonalds corp before and ive seen how it goes down its dirtier then a homeless person and they are just lookin for a paycheck. honestly the lady should have said i have no arms and use my feet for a way to get around and the employee should have responded as an adult and just took the payment gave the food and held the comments for their own time. you people bring up justice files on discrimination like its a big f*ckin deal but seriously people do this stuff because they know they can get away with a pretty check and a fairy tale ending. like the lady and the hot coffee(dumbass on her part) and the wendys chili. they all do it life goes on.
To Kris
Why do you make your wrong assumptions? You are so far off its funny! And YES discrimination is a BIG deal! Thats why we have laws. Would YOU like to be denied something that you paid for because of your ill attitude or the way YOU look?
To BC:
And Dawn, while I have your attention, I have a couple questions for you…
What ever happened with your lawsuit? Did you win? Or are you allowed to talk about it?
And also, did you type your comments with your feet? Just wondering…. you asked….
The lawsuit is still moving forward, very slowly though! And yes I am typing this with my toes. I just want to thank you very much for your support!
For practical purposes, people don’t sue McDonald’s they sue McDonald’s insurance company. Dawn’s lawyers would not sue the individuals responsible for their atrocious and reprehensible actions because they do not have business insurance that would pay a settlement or judgement. If Dawn wins a settlement, which she likely will (but not for $4M), it will most likely be covered by their insurance. That’s why her premise of teaching McDonald’s a lesson, in my opinion, is flawed.
Here’s a better solution: McDonald’s should hire Dawn Larson as an internal speaker and spokesperson. Pay her, say, $150K per year to speak to McDonald’s employees and educate them about what it’s like to live, work and shop with a disability. She could change attitudes toward disabled customers and coworkers, sensitize people, instruct them and inspire them. She could appear in company training videos and speak at regional meetings and the national convention.
Rather than paying a settlement, hire Dawn’s attorney to consult on the disability laws and legal issues facing McDonald’s franchisees and their employees.
Motivate McDonald’s to improve by turning negative press into a positive Internet-based PR campaign. In fact, I know just the guy to promote the project…
So Sean what do ya think this guy would say about the new Burger King commercial? Talk about CO ignorance! Perfect example!
Sean:
I never seen the little people one. Im talking about the little hands one. Im not thinking of suing them, but must admit it sickened me! Its WRONG! Whats next a legless vet rolling across the street to buy a big hot an juicy pound of sizzling Mc Rotten ? Its sick and morely WRONG! And YES I would love nothing more than to really speak my mind on this nonsense! This is supposed to be a free country, ya know, like having rights? But it all seems to be a joke! We as Americans are the most discriminating people there is! And not just about race either! The rules are NOT fare and equal! Some one needs to say some thing!
Actually, the one I was thinking of was the Jack in the Box commercial that uses little people to promote their mini sirloin burgers. I could understand outrage from little people on that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xXkmvrT_e8
I understand how you’d be upset with the Burger King commercial, though I don’t think they were trying to refer to actual people with disabilities. But I understand your point and am sorry thay you have to be subjected to messages like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEyOOfdozsM
If you want to get your message out, I’ll be happy to help you. Email me at seankelly[at sign]ideafarm.net.
1. The employee at the window represents The Mc Donald’s Corporation. They are the public face for the corporation.
2. All people disabled or able are due a certain amount of respect and politeness. When you are wearing your employer’s uniform you are the company and you owe it to your employer to be professional and courteous while on their clock.
3. The McDonald’s Corporation is legally responsible for all actions by their employees while they are on the clock and on the employer’s property.
4. This employee failed the Disabilities Sensitivity training that McDonald’s is required to provide all employees. All business are supposed to provide not only gender bias/harassment sensitivity training but also disability sensitivity training.
5. Just because a person is disabled doesn’t give you the right to be an inconsiderate twit.
6. Good business practices dictate that such rude and invasive and insensitive comments don’t belong in the work place.
7. Most likely the individual employees, the store manager, store owner and McDonald’s Inc are all named in the lawsuit.
8. This is designed for small businesses but big businesses make the same mistakes. Read and become educated: http://www.ada.gov/smbustxt.htm
Even Walmart found out they too must follow the ADA.
http://www.ada.gov/walmart.htm
9. Not only were they insensitive regarding her disability but that of her son as well. If they were as insensitive to her, how many other people with disabilities were they insensitive to? Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to stare, not to make fun of other people and to keep quiet if you couldn’t say something nice?
Didn’t your business classes teach you that for every 1 complaint that someone voices there are 100 complaints you didn’t hear about and think about the fact that we as a society are much more likely to tell people when a company does something wrong than when a company does something right. How many people do you think read this article and other articles about McDonald’s mistreatment of people with disabilities? How much do you think McDonald’s has to spend to overcome the bad pr that comes with stories of this type?
10. Most likely she will receive very little money, most of the funds that McDonalds pays out will go to the Department of Justice and for the enforcement of any settlemnent agreement which could include the development of a disabilities sensitivity training program that would be given to all employees who have contact with the public and for the implementation of the program.
Maybe like Walmart they will have to fund a Public Service Announcement regarding the rights of people with disabilities to public access.
11. Maybe the reason you are upset that she is standing up for her civil rights is because you are insensitive and don’t want to act like a decent human being and by belittling her and making fun of her you make yourself feel better about your own poor self image and inadequacies.
You’re missing the point in oh so many ways, Nike. Rudeness to those with disabilities is a societal problem, not a corporate one. McDonald’s bends over backwards to employ handicapped workers and to treat them – like all their customers – with respect. I’m not saying it’s out of the goodness of their heart. They want the revenue from sales to the disabled as well.
Think about it: McDonald’s serves on 47 million people PER DAY. They employ 1.5 million workers. It’s the parents job, the church’s job, the school’s job to keep kids from turning out insensitive morons. Do you really think its their fault that parents, schools, church’s have flooded the workforce with idiots?
1) “The employee at the window represents…” America. We as a society have failed to teach our children to treat people with disabilities with respect. You are a member of society, Nike. Dawn should sue you. After all, McDonald’s has done a lot more than you have to try to get people to treat people with disabilities with respect.
2,3) “All people disabled or able are due a certain amount of respect and politeness” I agree. What should the penalty be for rudeness? $4M every time someone gets mistreated? I hope you’re ready to grill your own burgers.
4,5,6) Agreed
7) You’re hereby invited to actually read the article you are making pronouncements on. That’s the point – They’re NOT being sued personally… just the deep-pocketed corporation. I guess attorneys aren’t too interested in settlements from drive thru workers – they’d rather sue someone with money – even if they’re not to blame.
8) “Read and become educated” You first. (See #7)
9) “Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to stare, not to make fun of other people and to keep quiet if you couldn’t say something nice?” Why would she? Isn’t that McDonald’s responsibility?
10) “most of the funds that McDonalds pays out will go to the Department of Justice” This is a civil lawsuit… what would the DOJ have to do with it? (Refer to #7 & #8)
11) “Maybe the reason you are upset that she is standing up for her civil rights…” No, I get more upset by the lazy people who read stories like this and accept the easy answers and refuse to think about the actual situation. I get more upset by people who think that they can sue their way to morality when all they are going to accomplish is making the downpayment on some attorney’s summer house.
McDonald’s gets sued weekly. It’s a cost of doing business to them. So some attorney pushes for $4M, maybe they settle for $1.5M. The attorney gets, what, half? Dawn gets the other half, less expenses, for three years of anguish and frustration? Great. What’s changed? Did the ignoramus who actually did it learn anything? No, she’s over abusing people at Taco Bell.
I’d bet that all the pious people like Nike are still going to McDonald’s every week to hand over their money… they’re just paying an extra 50 cents so McD’s can pay off this week’s frivolous lawsuit.
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
Dawn:
I assume you’re referring to the Burger King commercial with little people as actors? I only saw it once. I was pretty shocked by it. I thought it was really repulsive and demeaning.
I would not be critical of a lawsuit against them for demeaning little people. Right now several fast food chains are going out of their way to cause controversy so that they can get attention and be talked about – even if it’s negative. I think BK was intentionally trying to be offensive to create buzz. But I thought it was really in bad taste and, worse, sends a message to Burger King employees that it’s OK to laugh at little people’s expense – and maybe even the disabled.
If you look at McDonald’s advertising, it is much more about building a family-oriented brand that shows respect for customers. I don’t believe they would have resorted to this kind of low-life gimmickry and attack on a minority group just to get attention.
Dawn, by the way, what did you think about my settlement idea?