In a surprising move, Disney has agreed to let a Florida court decide a wrongful death lawsuit. This decision comes after the entertainment giant initially argued that the case should be moved to arbitration. The lawsuit was filed by Jeffrey Piccolo, whose wife tragically passed away from an allergic reaction after dining at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant in Disney Springs, Orlando.
The details of the case are heart-wrenching. On October 5, 2023, Piccolo, Kanokporn Tangsuan, his late wife, and her mother, chose to eat at Raglan Road, comforted by the restaurant’s and Disney’s assurances that they are accommodating toward individuals with food allergies. Despite reassurances from the waiter, Tangsuan suffered a fatal allergic reaction, believed to be triggered by nuts and dairy inadvertently included in her meal, the Orange County court complaint states.
Seeking to address the situation with much-needed sensitivity, Disney’s Chairman of Disney Experiences, Josh D’Amaro, shared in an email statement to Reuters, “We believe this situation warrants a sensitive approach to expedite a resolution for the family who have experienced such a painful loss. As such, we’ve decided to waive our right to arbitration and have the matter proceed in court.”
Initially, Disney had aimed to distance itself from liability by stating it had no direct control over Raglan’s operations, functioning merely as a landlord. However, later proceedings added a twist. Disney contended that the lawsuit should be arbitrated due to Piccolo’s subscription to Disney+ and his use of the company’s website in 2023, where he bought theme park tickets.
This development has significant implications, not just legally for Disney, but also for patrons of Disney Springs and families grappling with food allergies. With this case progressing to a court of law, broader questions around accountability and guest safety might come under the spotlight.
What are your thoughts on Disney’s decision? Do you think this could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to share this story!
Source: MarketScreener
