McDonald’s Corp. is facing a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit in California state court following a violent attack outside a Los Angeles franchise that left a woman dead while she and her husband waited in a drive-thru line.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday by plaintiff Jose Juan Rangel, alleges that McDonald’s and several related entities failed to take reasonable steps to protect customers from a foreseeable assault by a man who had been repeatedly present at the restaurant and was known for aggressive behavior. Named defendants include McDonald’s Corp., McDonald’s Restaurants of California Inc., McDonald’s USA LLC, and the franchise operators R&B Sanchez and DRS Hospital LLC.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on March 9, 2024, at the McDonald’s located at 245 North Soto Street near Boyle Heights. Rangel and his wife, Maria Vargas Luna, were waiting in the drive-thru when Charles Cornelius Green Jr., described in the lawsuit as a frequent loiterer at the location, began approaching customers and asking for money.
The suit alleges that restaurant employees observed Green moving among vehicles and remaining close to customers but failed to intervene, warn patrons, or contact law enforcement.
After several minutes, Green allegedly attacked Rangel through the open driver side window, striking him repeatedly. The complaint claims employees witnessed the assault in real time through the drive-thru window and on surveillance monitors but did not call 911 or activate any emergency response.
As Rangel exited his vehicle to shield his wife, the attacker allegedly continued the assault, forcing Rangel to the ground. When Luna attempted to help her husband, Green allegedly pushed her, causing her head to strike the pavement.
The lawsuit states that the fall resulted in catastrophic head injuries, triggering cardiac complications and permanent brain damage. Luna was transported to a hospital, placed on life support for several months, and later died from her injuries.
Following the attack, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Green, who later pleaded no contest to battery and was sentenced to one year of summary probation, according to court records.
Rangel’s complaint asserts that the defendants were on notice of dangerous conditions at the property due to a history of police responses involving assault, robbery, trespassing, and other criminal activity. The suit also cites prior customer complaints about loitering, solicitation, and threatening behavior at the location.
Despite these warning signs, the lawsuit claims the defendants failed to implement basic safety measures, including instructing staff to contact law enforcement, removing individuals posing a threat, or providing security personnel. The complaint further alleges employees had ample time to recognize the escalating situation and respond before the attack occurred.
“The history of criminal activity, visible solicitation, and employees’ real-time awareness of the danger made the risk unmistakable,” the complaint states, adding that the failure to act directly contributed to the injuries and death.
Rangel brings claims for wrongful death, negligence, premises liability, negligent hiring and supervision, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and loss of consortium. He is seeking compensatory, general, survival, and wrongful death damages.
Representatives for McDonald’s and the other defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Rangel is represented by Ali R. Kazempour of Kazempour Law APC. Counsel for McDonald’s has not yet been identified.
The case is Jose Juan Rangel v. McDonald’s Corporation et al., case number 26STCV00619, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles.
