The Walt Disney Company finds itself under scrutiny once again as it stands by its contentious defense against a wrongful death lawsuit following a tragic incident at Raglan Road Pub and Irish Restaurant in Disney Springs. Jeffrey Piccolo has sued Disney after his wife, Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, tragically passed away due to a severe food allergy. The distressing event occurred despite precautionary measures, plunging the family and Disney into a legal battle that has captured widespread attention.
Dr. Tangsuan, who had known allergies to dairy products and peanuts, suffered an anaphylactic reaction after dining at Raglan Road. Despite efforts, including the use of an EpiPen, she could not be saved. The medical examiner’s findings pointed to accidental death due to anaphylaxis, which has led Piccolo to seek damages amounting to $50,000 from both the restaurant and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Although Raglan Road is independently operated, Piccolo argues that Disney’s oversight and control over its allergy protocols make it culpable.
Adding fuel to the fire, Disney has invoked an arbitration clause found in the terms of service for both the Disney+ streaming service and the My Disney Experience app. This clause, according to Disney, necessitates that the case be moved to arbitration rather than going through a traditional court process. Critics have labeled this response as highly controversial and have flooded social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter/X with their disapproval.
“The sympathy we extend to the family is genuine,” Disney said in a statement, as reported by Florida Politics. “However, because Raglan Road is neither owned nor directly operated by Disney, we are defending our stance against further unnecessary litigation that would be both costly and a waste of judicial resources.”
To say that the response has been met with disbelief would be an understatement. Brian Denney, Piccolo’s attorney, has called Disney’s legal maneuver “preposterous,” underlining the severity and sensitivity of the case. A hearing is set for October 2 in Orange Circuit Court, and many will watch closely to see how this high-stakes legal drama unfolds.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you find Disney’s defense justifiable? Share your opinion in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going.
Source: Inside the Magic
