Man ordered a chicken bowl from Chipotle. Then doctors told him his nervous system was about 24 hours away from complete shutdown: ‘Get a lawyer’

It is a terrifying reality that a simple meal can turn into a life-threatening medical emergency. That is exactly what one TikTok user recently shared regarding her brother’s harrowing experience after eating at a Chipotle in Rochester. In a follow-up video to her viral post, which has already racked up more than 4.5 million views, TikToker brednbutta detailed how her brother was allegedly just 24 hours away from a complete nervous system shutdown.

The situation began when her brother decided to grab a chicken bowl from the restaurant. Everything seemed standard until about 10 hours later, when he began experiencing severe vomiting and other digestive distress. Initially, the family assumed it was a typical case of food poisoning that would resolve on its own. However, five days without any improvement finally led the family to seek medical aid.

Once he arrived at the hospital, medical staff immediately began treating him with fluids and antibiotics. During the testing process, doctors identified the source of his illness as bacteria often linked to mishandled poultry. 

If only it were that simple

While the body can usually fight off these types of infections, his condition continued to worsen, leading doctors to investigate further complications. They eventually determined that he was very close to developing Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system.

The creator explained that this syndrome can cause a tingling sensation in the feet, followed by numbness that travels from the knees down to the waist. It is a frightening progression, and the doctors reportedly told the family that he was only about a day away from potential paralysis of his lower body. Thankfully, the medical team caught the issue in time to intervene, but the experience has certainly left a mark on those following the story.

The online reaction has been divided between shock and practical advice. Many viewers expressed disbelief that brednbutta’s brother waited so long to seek help. User Jordan Nick asked, “You waited 5 days?!?!” and CatDog_ echoed that sentiment by stating, “Who waits 5 days……” 

Others were more focused on the potential legal path forward for the family. One user offered some blunt advice: “I mean this from the bottom of my heart….get a lawyer. you have both medical damages and punitive damages to collect on. See if you have a receipt or order history on the app.”

Other commenters appreciated the creator’s direct approach to sharing the story. Noelle Hazlett Kell wrote, “Thank you for getting straight to the point and explaining.” Meanwhile, some were just left feeling wary of their own dining plans, with l0vely.Wh0 commenting, “Just when I was finna get a bowl today too.”

It is worth noting that this is not the first time the restaurant chain has faced scrutiny regarding food safety. Between 2015 and 2018, the company was linked to several outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including norovirus and Clostridium perfringens. These incidents occurred across multiple states, including California, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Ohio. According to the Department of Justice, these outbreaks sickened more than 1,100 people.

To resolve criminal charges related to these events, the company agreed to pay a $25 million fine, which stands as the largest ever in a food safety case. The Justice Department noted that these outbreaks often stemmed from store-level employees failing to follow safety protocols, such as working while sick or failing to maintain proper food temperatures. 

While the company has since committed to improved food safety programs, stories like the one shared by brednbutta serve as a reminder of how critical these health standards remain for consumers. As the creator herself put it, “It’s not a dig at Chipotle. Um, I hope everyone’s okay out there.”

Thankfully, most stories we hear of Chipotle these days seem to be much more benign. There are occasional stories of orders being prepared badly. There are also positive ones, like Chipotle embracing tattoo culture as part of their promotions. That being said, I will probably avoid Chipotle for a bit.