A Portland, Oregon woman has filed a lawsuit seeking $10,000 in damages after allegedly discovering and swallowing a severed human fingertip in a bottle of orange juice she purchased from a local grocery store.
Julee O’Neil filed the legal complaint in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Monday, claiming the incident occurred in June 2025 after she bought a 52-ounce bottle of organic orange juice with pulp from a store located at 4121 Northeast Halsey Street in Portland’s Hollywood neighborhood.
According to the complaint, O’Neil had been drinking from the bottle periodically and had nearly finished its contents when she encountered what she initially believed was an unusually large piece of pulp. The legal filing states that O’Neil felt something substantial in her mouth while finishing the orange juice, which she subsequently discovered was a human fingertip with a piece of rubber glove still attached to it.
The complaint indicates that O’Neil inadvertently swallowed or ingested the fingertip before realizing what it was. Following the discovery, she experienced immediate physical distress, including gagging, nausea, and a burning sensation in her mouth. The document notes her concern that the human hand from which the fingertip came might have also been severed and potentially mixed into the juice pulp.
O’Neil sought immediate medical attention at an urgent care clinic following the incident. The experience has left her with ongoing concerns about potential health implications from consuming the foreign object.
Prior to filing the lawsuit, O’Neil attempted to resolve the matter directly with the grocery chain by sending a written notice requesting a settlement. However, according to the complaint, the company failed, refused, or neglected to respond to her settlement request, prompting her to pursue legal action.
The lawsuit seeks $10,000 in damages plus legal fees for the incident. The complaint was filed by O’Neil’s attorney, Anthony Furniss, who has not provided additional comment on the case at this time.
The grocery store chain has not issued a public response to the allegations or the lawsuit. Representatives for the company did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident or the pending litigation.
This case raises significant questions about food safety protocols and quality control measures in the production and distribution of packaged beverages. The presence of a human fingertip with an attached rubber glove piece suggests the incident may have occurred during the manufacturing or packaging process.
The lawsuit is currently pending in Multnomah County Circuit Court, where it will proceed through the legal system. The court will need to examine evidence regarding how the fingertip came to be in the orange juice bottle and determine liability for the incident.
Food contamination cases of this nature, while rare, can result in significant legal consequences for companies if negligence in safety protocols is established. The outcome of this case could have implications for food safety practices and quality control measures in the beverage industry.
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