A recent legal tussle involving the Walt Disney Company has captured attention far and wide. Jeffrey Piccolo is pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against Walt Disney World and Resorts after his wife, Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, tragically passed away in October 2023. The heart-wrenching event unfolded at the Raglan Road Irish Pub, nestled within the bustling enchantment of Orlando, Florida’s famed resort. Dr. Tangsuan’s sudden death was attributed to anaphylaxis, caused by an allergic reaction to dairy and nuts. According to Piccolo, despite repeated assurances from the waitstaff, the meal was not allergen-free, leading him to seek damages exceeding $50,000.
As the litigation unfolds, Disney’s legal team has stirred the pot by invoking the terms of use from Disney’s streaming service, Disney+, to argue for a dismissal of the case. Piccolo agreed to these terms, which mandate out-of-court arbitration for disputes, first during a free trial in 2019 and later in 2023 when purchasing theme park tickets via his Disney+ account. Disney maintains that this agreement extends to “all disputes,” covering Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, a bar that has sparked substantial debate.
In a statement addressing the controversy, a Disney spokesperson conveyed the company’s sorrow for the family’s loss but emphasized that since the restaurant isn’t owned or operated by Disney, the company is merely defending against an attempt to link them legally to the event.
However, Piccolo’s legal team has branded Disney’s defense as “surreal.” They argue that the company’s stance effectively seeks to prevent any of its 150 million Disney+ subscribers from bringing wrongful death suits to a jury, regardless of the incident’s relevance to Disney+.
The unfolding drama reaches a critical juncture with a scheduled hearing on October 2, 2024, at 10 am. As we stay tuned for further developments, we invite our readers to share their thoughts and engage in this discussion. What are your views on Disney’s use of streaming service terms in this case? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Anna Betts
