What’s Next
The ruling appears final on the coverage question, though McDonald’s could potentially appeal to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals within 30 days. The company faces absorbing the full $140,000 in legal costs from defending the underlying workplace violence claims.
For the broader fast-food industry, this decision clarifies that standard commercial insurance policies won’t cover legal costs when employees sue over psychological trauma from workplace violence exposure—even in extreme circumstances involving dead bodies and blood.
Sources Section
- Order Granting Summary Judgment (U.S. District Court for Northern District of Illinois, filed Wednesday) — Case No. 1:23-cv-16297
- Original Complaint (McDonald’s Corp. et al. v. Homeland Insurance Co. of New York et al., 2023)
- Illinois State Court Filing (Sonia Acuña workplace violence claims)
Legal Representation:
- McDonald’s: Bradley Block of the Law Offices of Bradley Block
- Homeland Insurance: David T. Brown of Kaufman Dolowich LLP
