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McDonald's Won't Pay Hospital Bills of Hero Employee

Worker got shot protecting customer

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 19, 2009 5:18 PM CST
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(Newser) – It doesn't pay to be a hero, sometimes. A McDonald's employee who stepped in to prevent a man from beating up a woman in the restaurant got shot multiple times and ended up with $300,000 in medical bills. Now McDonald's says it's won't pay up because his injuries "did not arise out of or within the course and scope of his employment," the Arkansas Times reports.

Nigel Haskett, 22, has filed a workers' comp complaint. His lawyer says McDonald's is apparently sticking by company policy that it lays out for workers: Don't be hero, call 911. But even the judge handling the trial of Haskett's assailant singled him out in court. "Here is this young man working for minimum wage, coming to the aid of a woman," he said, before donating $100 to a fund set up on Haskett's behalf.

The golden arches hang on a McDonald's restaurant in Chicago.
The golden arches hang on a McDonald's restaurant in Chicago.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
McDonald's doesn't want its employees to be heroes.
McDonald's doesn't want its employees to be heroes.   (Flickr)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 48 comments
Janet Cooper
Dec 30, 2010 9:15 PM CST
I DON'T "Like" it, actually... McDonald's, DO quit acting like a spoiled brat!!! Get off yer 'TUDE and take care of this young man -- GOD BLESS him and others like him, who see wrong and try to right it!!!!! This could have been great positive feedback for you but Noooo...McDonald's yanks out the manual and quotes "Bullshit 101"... How STUPID do you have to be not to step up for this guy -- You should be proud!!!
bacimom
Feb 23, 2009 12:24 AM CST
In my experience working ff years ago the rule was if you are being robbed don't be a hero. I don't remember anyone telling me I couldn't try to save a life. What's next... saying McD employees can't perform cpr to avoid disease transmission and lawsuits?
AllisonMW
Feb 22, 2009 10:11 PM CST
Good point-I had forgotten about that! Who has to be told hot coffee is indeed hot??!
US • Health

 
health insurance • McDonald's • medical bills • hero

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