Business Law Case Study Analysis: Paul Johnson vs. McDonald's

This case study examines a legal dispute between Paul Johnson and McDonald's, focusing on the issue of consumer health and corporate responsibility. Paul, an 18-year-old, developed obesity and diabetes due to his frequent consumption of McDonald's meals. The case explores the legal arguments of negligence and product liability, highlighting the lack of sufficient health warnings by McDonald's and the company's marketing strategies that target young consumers. The analysis considers the impact of fast food on public health, the availability of nutritional information, and the responsibilities of both the consumer and the corporation. The conclusion supports Paul's case, emphasizing the severe and irreversible health consequences of McDonald's food and the need for justice. References from public health and legal journals support the arguments presented in the case.

Canadian Business Law
Student’s name:
Institutional:

Eighteen-year-old Paul Johnson lives with his mother in a small apartment in a rundown section
of town. His mother has two different jobs and therefore they find it hard to prepare meals at
home. Paul eats out a lot and prefers McDonald's because the food is inexpensive and the
portions are large. So he, therefore, used to go there every day to eat. He would often choose the
kitchen meals because he thought they were the healthier choice. Sometimes he could go to eat at
McDonald's using the money that he has been given as pocket money. As a result of his eating
habits at McDonald's, he now weighs 400 pounds and has diabetes. Despite these conditions,
Paul is at risk of developing other conditions such as shortness of breath at night, bone and joint
diseases and heart diseases like hypertension. (CDC, 2011)
Paul had no idea that the fast food offered by McDonald's were so dangerous. This is because
there was information given by McDonald's on how unhealthy the food was. Should this be
dismissed as baseless or be pursued as the court case against McDonald's to answer?
Paul has a serious case to put forward. The McDonald's are perfect in enticing a child who has
attained the age of 9 as they also lure young children with charming items like toys, playground
and delicious meals while they don’t explain to them the level of unhealthy of the foods provided
in the restaurant. Fast food referred here is a conclusive term for all kinds of foods stuffs which
are rich in energy, because they contain a plenty of fat and sugar, as well as salt, but are
proportionately low in other vital nutrients such as protein, vitamins, fibre and minerals
(American journal of public health, 2009). The lawsuit, however, states that children in the case
should not be punished just because they belong to the families where the parents may be too
busy or lack education on how to make proper decisions concerning diet (Heckman, 2013).

The McDonald lure young children to their meals using fancy items like games, toys and
beautiful playgrounds without mentioning how the food offered it is not healthy to their bodies.
Paul was able to develop obesity as well as diabetes due to such foods which he ate out of
ignorance because there was no any danger associated with food displayed anywhere. The only
poster concerning nutrition in the McDonald's is available on the website and a minor like Paul
may not access. This, therefore, means that Paul was not able to get information that was very
crucial to him, which is not in accordance with the principles and laws governing automatic
access to information. However, Paul went by himself to the hotel because there was no food
cooked in his home by his mother and he loves eating junk food though this one should not be
used as a punishment to such children like Paul. Therefore, McDonald's has a case to answer
concerning their unfair treatment of the minor with dangerous food without creating awareness.
In superior court, Paul’s argument has more weight than McDonald’s. The effect of the food on
Paul’s health is fatally and irreversible hence justice should be made for him. Therefore, Paul
should win the case.

References
Ackerman, J. M., & Sandoval-Ballesteros, I. E. (2006). The global explosion of freedom of
information laws. Admin. L. Rev., 58, 85.
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Tips for parents--ideas to help children
maintain a healthy weight. Updated October, 31.
Davis, B., & Carpenter, C. (2009). Proximity of fast-food restaurants to schools and adolescent
obesity. American Journal of Public Health, 99(3), 505-510.
Heckman, J. J. (2013). Giving kids a fair chance. Mit Press.