NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286855,00.html

Starburst Fruit Chews are exactly as their name would indicate: chewy. But one Michigan woman says the candies are so chewy, they should come with a warning label.

Victoria McArthur, of Romero, Mich., is suing Starbursts' parent company, Mars Inc., for more than $25,000 for "permanent personal injuries" she claims she sustained after biting into one of their yellow candy in 2005.

"I don't know, maybe about 3 chews and it literally locked my jaw … and it just literally pulled my jaw out of joint," she told MyFoxDetroit.com.

McArthur's lawyer, Brian Muawad, says the candies caused her to develop a condition known as temporal mandibular joint dysfunction. McArthur says she has had trouble chewing, talking and sleeping since the incident.

Muawad says McArthur offered to negotiate a settlement with Starburst's insurer to pay for her rehabilitation, but the company said no way. A spokesman for Mars refused to comment.

McArthur says she just wants to make sure nobody else meets the same end she did when she decided to indulge her sweetooth.

"I don't want to see anybody else have to go through what I have gone through from eating a piece of candy that was

The Starbursts are not only chewy, but they are so chewy they could permanently damage your ability to chew. I think this sounds like a good campaign slogan: dangerously chewy.

if that woman gets her way all we could end up with are black jacks! (because nobody eats those anyways :p)

There are much tougher candies out there. I specifically remember Bit O'Honey, which was famous for removing crowns and fillings through its tenacious adhesive properties. That, and it tastes like crap.

I see it's still being sold.

Pantless, why are you reading the Fox News site? Did you get a knock on the head?

Well, if she doesn't stretch and warm up her jaw muscles before excercising, what does that woman expect?

Imagine how many lawyers would end up on the dole if you got public healthcare.

Pantless, why are you reading the Fox News site? Did you get a knock on the head?

It was linked by Major Geeks. They tend to link random flash games and weird news stories.

WTF. Quite simply, WTF. Now, honestly, what the hell sort of jaw must you have if it's put out by Starburst? Seriously?

I mean, come on, chances are there is another reason, she just can't sue anybody else so she'll pick on Mars.

Imagine how many lawyers would end up on the dole if you got public healthcare.

*drools*

Wh..wha?

Sorry...I couldn't control my base instincts, that prospect was far too appetizing. :D

*drools*

Wh..wha?

Sorry...I couldn't control my base instincts, that prospect was far too appetizing. :DYea, me too ;)

this is a little ridiculous.

WTF. Quite simply, WTF. Now, honestly, what the hell sort of jaw must you have if it's put out by Starburst? Seriously?

I mean, come on, chances are there is another reason, she just can't sue anybody else so she'll pick on Mars.

Not necessarily. Just because someone is suing a company doesn't mean their suit is irrelevant. She may have an actual case here, and she does have medical expenses to be paid. Plus, if she's lying, she'll get caught in the act and punished for it anyway.

It may very well have injured her,but how can something that is labeled and marketed as being chewy really be at fault or negligent here?

It sorta like choking on a fish bone and suing the fisherman or co.

There are far too many warnings on far too many products.

I see bleach and similar items with warnings not to drink.

I think its out of hand. No one is responsible for anything they do anymore. At some point,we will all need to be bubble-wrapped and carted from point A to point B with personal safety supervisors who are tasked with making sure we dont injure ourselves in any way.

It sounds over the top, but today's enviroment would seem insane if your told someone in the year 1900 this is how it would be.

Why was she eating a yellow Starburst anyway? The yellow and orange onces are terrible, she should have been eating a pink or red one.