Judge releases scheduling in 'Hold the Cheese' lawsuit

MORGANTOWN - Judge Robert Stone has released the pre-trial scheduling order in a case that has garnered national attention after a Clarksburg man sued McDonald's for $10 million in punitive damages.

Jeromy Jackson filed the suit July 18 after he received a burger with cheese on it. Jackson claims he is severely allergic to cheese and had to receive medical treatment after eating one bite of his burger.

The case, in Monongalia Circuit Court, must complete mediation by Oct. 17, 2008, the order says.

Any expert witnesses the plaintiffs plan to call at trial must be disclosed by July 31, 2008, and the defendants must disclose their witnesses by Sept. 15, 2008.

The case says discovery must be completed by Dec. 19, 2008. The final pre-trial conference will be Jan. 13, 2009.

Jackson's mother, Trela Jackson, and his friend, Andrew Ellifritz are also named as plaintiffs in the suit, and claim they put their lives in danger when they were forced to rush Jeromy Jackson to the hospital.

The plaintiffs are representing themselves.

McDonald's filed a response to the initial lawsuit in August, denying any wrongdoing.