A Schofield Barracks soldier is suing Burger King because he says he suffered injuries after biting into and swallowing needles that were in his Triple Stacker hamburger.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court Wednesday, Army Staff Sgt. Clark Bartholomew of the 8th Military Police Brigade said he bought a Triple Stacker hamburger value meal Dec. 1 at the Schofield Barracks Burger King on Kolekole Avenue and took it home.

While eating his sandwich, Clark said, he bit into a needle hidden in the hamburger. He said the needle pieced his tongue, causing it to bleed.

Two days later, he said, he sought medical treatment for a stomachache, and it was discovered that another needle was lodged in his small intestine, requiring six days of hospitalization, according to the lawsuit.

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service owns the Schofield Barracks Burger King franchise.

Bartholomew is not suing AAFES at this time because he is awaiting the outcome of his administrative claim with the government, according to the lawsuit.

AAFES and Burger King officials did not respond to requests for comment.

This is not the first time a Burger King customer said his burger was spiked with needles.

A New Bedford, Mass., man sued the fast-food chain in February last year after he said he bit into and swallowed needles hidden in his Double Whopper while dining at a Burger King restaurant near his home.

Oscar Chaves said doctors removed a 2-inch-long needle from his tongue and discovered damage to his esophagus and metal in his stomach.

He said he sued Burger King after its insurance company offered him a $5,000 settlement for his $15,000 medical claim, and company officials apologized but asked him to return the needle.