Severe joint pain with accidental consumption of gluten

[The Mother]

Looking for feedback and input from other Celiac sufferers. I went to a local burger joint that I have been to many times. I usually get my favorite burger as a lettuce wrap, but this time I decided to have the gluten-free bun. I stressed it to the server as well. The first time around she got the burger wrong and had to resubmit the order to the kitchen, for which I re-stressed the gluten-free bun (which we were billed $2.39 for). When the correct burger was served to me, it was presented as having the gluten-free bun. I was starving and it tasted great! I ate about half of it and took the rest home. Upon heating the leftover up that evening, I began to examine the bun and began to expect that it was not gluten-free, thus removed it. I soon realized I was correct that it was not gluten-free, as I began having intestinal issues. When I woke up the next morning, my joints were extremely painful and continue to be 5 days later, as well as the intestinal issues, lack of focus, and severe headache the first night. I contacted the Manager at the restaurant, whom was nice enough, apologized and took down my email to send me a gift code for a future visit (have not received yet). Although this is likely what is the extent of what the Manager can do, it hardly seems adequate considering the severity of what I have endured as a result of their error. What are your thoughts?

[The Mother]

Oops, also forgot to ask, have you all experienced the joint pain too with ingesting gluten?

Thanks!

[Scott Adams]

Joint pain is very common in those with celiac disease, and it likely results from inflammation triggered by the gluten. I'm sorry this happened, and no, it doesn't seem adequate. There are many cases of people who sue restaurants for things like this, but I would never recommend that route unless something regular and intentional was happening at the restaurant.

Also, I find it hard to believe that they could make such a mistake twice after you sent it back the first time. Is it possible that they just moved the burger from a regular bun to a gluten-free one, and there was some crumbs mixed in? This would make more sense to me, but would still be unacceptable. I would never go back.

PS - I think it's important for you to name the restaurant here, but that is your call. Why hide their mistake?

[The Mother]

18 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

Joint pain is very common in those with celiac disease, and it likely results from inflammation triggered by the gluten. I'm sorry this happened, and no, it doesn't seem adequate. There are many cases of people who sue restaurants for things like this, but I would never recommend that route unless something regular and intentional was happening at the restaurant.

Also, I find it hard to believe that they could make such a mistake twice after you sent it back the first time. Is it possible that they just moved the burger from a regular bun to a gluten-free one, and there was some crumbs mixed in? This would make more sense to me, but would still be unacceptable. I would never go back.

PS - I think it's important for you to name the restaurant here, but that is your call. Why hide their mistake?

Thank you for your response, Scott. Just to clarify, the first burger was sent back because it was the wrong burger, not because of the bun. I ordered the Mad Love burger, and she brought the Burning Love burger, and I don't eat jalapenos. I didn't name the restaurant because I think it was likely the waitress. She was probably 70+ years old and was very overwhelmed and scattered, so I'm sure it was likely her and not the restaurant. I suggested the Manager use it as a learning/training experience for the servers.

I would not waste my energy trying to sue them. If they don't know someone who has struggled with something like Celiac, there is no way they can comprehend the consequences of their error. Meanwhile, I'm still struggling and in pain 😞

Thanks again!

[Scott Adams]

If you do ever go back, many try to go when it's not busy, and order the lettuce wrapped version with the gluten-free bun on the side. To me wheat buns have a distinct smell to them, while gluten-free buns smell differently, but again, I would avoid any place that made such an error.