Disney makes a pivotal legal decision regarding a lawsuit linked to a tragic allergy death at one of its properties.
According to USA Today, the Walt Disney Co. has decided a court will resolve a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a fatal allergic reaction at a Disney Springs restaurant.
The case involves the death of Kanokporn Tangsuan, who died after dining at the Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant in Disney Springs, Orlando. On October 5, 2023, Kanokporn, her husband Jeffrey Piccolo, and her mother visited the restaurant, trusting its advertised allergy accommodations.
A waiter at the restaurant reassured the family that the meal chosen by Kanokporn was free of allergens. Unfortunately, she soon suffered a severe allergic reaction to undisclosed nut and dairy contents in her food, tragically passing away from anaphylaxis.
Disney initially distanced itself from responsibility, positioning itself merely as the landlord rather than the manager of Raglan Road, thus not directly liable for the incident. However, later developments in the case pushed Disney to reconsider its stance.
In April 2024, Disney defended itself by denying direct responsibility for the incident. By late May 2024, Disney attempted to redirect the lawsuit towards arbitration, leveraging Jeffrey Piccolo's Disney+ subscription and his use of the Disney website for ticket purchases as a basis.
However, this move was met with resistance and eventually, in August 2024, led to Disney stepped back and allowed the case to proceed in court.
Judging from the complex dynamics of the proceedings, Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, voiced the company's change in strategy towards the lawsuit. He said:
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.
This statement underscores an intent to address the lawsuit more empathetically, marking a definitive shift in how Disney handles such sensitive issues publicly.
The outcome of this lawsuit may set a precedent for how liability is perceived in cases involving franchised or licensed restaurant operations under major brands.
For establishments within entertainment complexes like Disney Springs, this case could lead to more stringent requirements for allergen safety practices and clearer liability guidelines.
With the legal proceedings set to continue in the public judicial system, observers and industry stakeholders are keenly watching how Disney will manage this and potentially future-related incidents.
Disney has decided to let a court resolve a wrongful death lawsuit related to an allergy death at a Disney Springs restaurant. Initially, Disney distanced itself from responsibility, but after resistance to their attempt to move the case to arbitration, they allowed it to proceed in court. This shift reflects Disney's intent to handle the situation with greater sensitivity, potentially setting a precedent for similar cases in the future.
