this post was submitted on 20 May 2025
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HOUSTON — A Houston man is suing Whataburger for nearly $1 million after he says his burger had onions on it.

Turns out he had asked for a no-onions order.

On July 24, 2024, Demery Ardell Wilson had an allergic reaction after eating a burger that had onions on it at Whataburger, court documents say. He alleges that he requested the fast-food chain to take them off before serving him the burger.

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[–] madame_gaymes@programming.dev 39 points 13 hours ago (3 children)

It's a nice ideal, but historically the companies don't think like that and in most cases the workers don't get paid enough to be that passionate. 4/5-star restaurants? Sure. Not fast food, though.

Also consider the sheer amount of food orders a fast food place gets in a day, especially with things like DoorDash on top of in-person and drive-thru.

[–] ComfortableRaspberry@feddit.org 27 points 13 hours ago* (last edited 13 hours ago) (2 children)

I get where you're coming from. But I still disagree.

What you describe makes sense from a realistic standpoint BUT I don't see why we shouldn't hold corporations to a higher standard since they are selling this exact higher standard to us.

Yes Fastfood workers likely aren't paid enough to care about customized orders but that isn't a ME problem. It's the company's problem since they can't keep up with their promises. So time to hold them responsible.

Also my two cents to add to the general issue: if I can't cater to custom needs or don't want to, I can still lie to the customer and tell them it's not possible instead of risking to kill them through my apathy.

[–] LilB0kChoy@lemm.ee 3 points 3 hours ago

Back in June 2024, Wilson also sued Sonic for including onions on a burger. That fast food company has requested a jury trial for this week.

Reading the article and only applying the information available in it, this is the individual's responsibility.

The article states he asked for a no-onion order, not that he notified the restaurant that he had an allergy and needed the onions removed. Asking for an item to be left off and notifying of an allergy are very different because allergy prep is done very specifically.

Also, they had a similar issue at a different restaurant in 2024 that they sued for. If they can demonstrate negligence, which will be hard, then maybe they have a case but if the customer didn't specify an allergy and didn't check before eating the burger, then the failure is as much theirs.

When I was a child and learning about traffic safety we were taught that pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way over cars but it was stressed that right of way won't stop a car from killing you if you step into traffic.

[–] madame_gaymes@programming.dev 12 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

That's fine. I'm not necessarily saying it's a you problem, it's definitely on the company. Think, "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" kinda vibe.

I just distrust both the corporations that are for-profit, and the government we would have to rely on to regulate and help us make them accountable. I just don't see companies changing for the good of the proles under the current administration, no matter how much we make a stink about it.

I guess my subconscious point is more along the lines of "vote with your wallet" and stop supporting companies that don't make this kind of thing a priority. There are certainly some fast food companies that actually do care, but I couldn't name one at the moment.

[–] ComfortableRaspberry@feddit.org 8 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago)

That's something I can wholeheartedly agree on!

[–] ricecake@sh.itjust.works 19 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

And that's why it's fair to sue them. What you're describing is callous indifference to the well-being of others that has caused demonstrative harm.

I think everyone agrees on what the fast food place is thinking. The issue is that that line of reasoning is dangerous and has legal penalties.

Think of it with "hand washing" and "fecal coliform bacteria" instead. "It's too expensive to train our workers to wash their hands after pooping, and most wouldn't anyway because we don't pay them enough to care" just isn't a defense when someone gets sick as a result.

[–] madame_gaymes@programming.dev 2 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

What I'm saying is stop supporting companies that don't care; stop giving them money and don't eat there again if they can't follow your request. I'll say it a 3rd time, "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me."

That's not callous indifference, that's 1) voting with your wallet and 2) trying to promote a little self-reliance.

[–] ricecake@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 hours ago

Just for the record, other people haven't necessarily seen other comments you've made. Acting indignant about that is frustrating.

What's callous indifference is the company having an attitude that allergy safety is too much work, not thinking you should vote with you wallet.

A lawsuit is part of voting with your wallet. More specifically, giving them a financial incentive to take food safety more seriously.

I seriously doubt the guy is going to go back to either restaurant, so voting with his wallet and not giving them money for a burger is done, and likely doesn't cover the costs he incurred as a result of their error.

When is a lawsuit appropriate if not after a business decides to cut corners and hurts you?

[–] Shiggles@sh.itjust.works 14 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

It can simultaneously be dumb for him to trust the company and for it to be the company’s fault that he was fed something he specifically asked not to be served.

[–] madame_gaymes@programming.dev 5 points 12 hours ago

Indeed. I said it in another comment just now, but what I'm getting at is more: "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me"