McDonald’s Chicken Sandwich Allegedly Causes Voice Change

Well, McDonald’s once again finds itself on the wrong end of a case caption.  According to the New York Post, a gospel singer in Brooklyn, New York has sued the fast food chain claiming that her voice was ruined after biting into a piece of glass found in a chicken sandwich.  The incident, which happened way back in 2010, has allegedly caused the former alto to lose her soprano-status.  In addition, her now raspy voice has others confusing her for a man while on the phone. We suspect they may take this deposition by video.

As with any new lawsuit in its baby stages, we here at Abnormal Use have no idea whether the plaintiff’s claims are valid.  Nonetheless, we know how to defend the case from a damages perspective.  First, how is a voice ruined simply by biting into glass?  At least according to the report, it appears the singer’s allegations suggest she swallowed the glass, thereby damaging her vocal chords.  After knowingly biting into a piece of glass, wouldn’t the next step have been to spit out the food?  It seems some of these damages could have been avoided.

Second, how does one value the difference between an alto and a soprano, assuming the allegation is true?  Does an alto gospel singer find better singing gigs than sopranos?  We recognize that the change may have been unwanted, but it seems like the singer could make the most of the situation and turn this into a positive.

Unfortunately for McDonald’s, unlike the post-verdict, anti-tort reform rhetoric regarding the Stella Liebeck case, this matter won’t be tried on damages alone.  If glass was in the woman’s chicken sandwich, then it certainly should not have been there.  Once that presumed liability hurdle is surpassed, then – and only then – will her damages become an issue.