Walt Disney Co. is pushing back against a wrongful death lawsuit in a Florida state court, contending that the plaintiff, Jeffrey Piccolo, had agreed to terms and conditions mandating arbitration when signing up for Disney+ and purchasing park tickets. This legal defense arises amidst allegations that Piccolo’s wife, Kanokporn Tangsuan, died from a severe allergic reaction after dining at Walt Disney World’s Raglan Road restaurant in October 2023.
According to the lawsuit, the couple had repeatedly asked Raglan Road staff if the food Tangsuan ordered contained dairy or nuts, which she was allergic to. Assurances from the staff failed, as less than an hour after the meal, Tangsuan began experiencing breathing difficulties and collapsed. Despite efforts to save her, she later died at a hospital.
Disney argues that Piccolo’s arbitration agreement covers all disputes related to the company and its affiliates, including those involving park activities and restaurant services. When he subscribed to Disney+ in November 2019 and again while purchasing Disney World tickets, Piccolo accepted the binding arbitration terms. These terms, Disney suggests, should apply to anyone for whom he bought tickets, further reinforcing their stance.
The legal battle throws a spotlight on Disney’s customer agreements and their implications. While representatives from Disney and Piccolo have not commented, Piccolo is seeking damages upwards of $50,000, not including additional costs and interest.
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Source: Samantha Masunaga
