Surprise! French Fries Are Not Health Food!!

Fast-food chains are out to get him. That’s what a 270-pound plaintiff who recently filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken is asserting.

According to the Associated Press, 56-year-old Caesar Barber’s lawsuit against the fast-food restaurants alleges that since they sold him the food that made him obese, they should therefore be held accountable for "wrecking his life."

Apparently the plaintiff in this case isn’t hungry for McNuggets anymore, but rather gold nuggets -- the million dollar kind," said Andy Kotner, President of San Diego County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA). "In their quest to win a huge cash settlement, the plaintiff and his lawyer will have to convince judges and juries that there’s no such thing as personal choice."

In 1996 and 1999 Barber suffered heart attacks and has diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Barber traces his health ailments back to a high fat, grease and salt diet, specifically citing the four popular fast-food restaurants contributing to an "addiction" to such foods.

"This suit is a mockery to our civil justice system and to all those individuals who live their lives responsibly and are adult enough to monitor what they put into their bodies, especially knowing they have existing health problems," said Kotner.

CALA is a nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to educating consumers on the human and financial costs incurred when the legal system is abused for greed, harassment or publicity. More than 8,200 San Diego County residents are CALA supporters.

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This page was last updated on 04/19/05