Pimentel kin wins legal case versus McDonalds

For the second time, the McDonald’s branch along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City has figured in a legal battle over guests who were injured inside the fastfood chain.

An Antipolo court has ordered McGeorge Food Industries, local franchise holder of McDonald’s, to pay Miguela Yusingco, the sister-in-law of former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, P51,010 in damages after she slipped and fell on the pavement.

Judge Felix Caballes said the fastfood chain was "negligent" because no warning sign was put up to inform customers that the floor was wet, which made the 65-year-old Prefect of Students of the Kostka School of Quezon City slip and fell.

"The failure of the defendant (McDonald’s) to provide the necessary warning is negligence on its part, which is actionable in law. No convincing evidence was shown to prove that plaintiff (Yusingco) did not exercise care or caution, or that there was negligence on her part," the court said.

In 1996, five-year-old Camille Santiago suffered third degree burns, resulting in a "deformed right hand" after being electrocuted by the lights on the counter of the same McDonald’s branch in Katipunan Avenue.

McDonald’s also refused to pay, forcing her family to sue for damages. The case is still pending in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. Until now, the girl is still undergoing therapy and physical rehabilitation. – Delon Porcalla