Attention Disney Fans and Mickey News Readers!
A deeply somber event has turned a spotlight on digital contracts and the importance of reading the fine print. The family of a New York woman, Kanokporn Tangsuan, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Tangsuan tragically lost her life after suffering a fatal allergic reaction at an Irish pub, Raglan Road, located in Disney Springs, Florida.
In a twist that underscores the often-overlooked importance of those “I agree” checkboxes, Disney is moving to dismiss the lawsuit. Their argument hinges on a subscriber agreement signed by Tangsuan’s husband, Jeffrey Piccolo, when he registered for a trial subscription of Disney+ in 2019. This agreement, as Disney asserts, stipulates that any disputes must be resolved through individual binding arbitration, not court proceedings.
The lawsuit brought forth claims that the restaurant misrepresented itself on Disney’s website. It was allegedly marketed as offering “allergen-free food.” The suit details how Tangsuan, facing severe allergies to nuts and dairy, was reassured multiple times by the server that her meal was safe. Tragically, she collapsed just 45 minutes after leaving the restaurant, with the medical examiner attributing her death to “anaphylaxis due to elevated levels of dairy and nut.”
John Davisson from the Electronic Privacy Information Center remarks how these digital contracts are heavily weighted against consumers. With terms and conditions often buried in legal jargon, it’s near impossible for the average person to fully grasp the implications of what they’re agreeing to.
Disney expressed their deep sorrow over the incident but emphasized their lack of ownership or control over the pub. Meanwhile, Piccolo’s legal representative calls the arbitration clause’s blanket application “absurd,” especially for an issue unrelated to the Disney+ service.
Disney fans, what do you think about this situation? Have you ever speedily clicked “I agree” without reading the terms? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s get a conversation started!
Source: CORA LEWIS Associated Press, SEAN MURPHY Associated Press
