Walt Disney Co. has chosen to allow a wrongful death lawsuit, filed by a Florida widower, to proceed in court after initially seeking to have the case resolved through arbitration. The case centers around the tragic death of a woman who suffered a fatal allergic reaction after dining at a restaurant in the Disney Springs shopping complex in Orlando.
The lawsuit was brought by Jeffrey Piccolo, whose wife, Kanokporn Tangsuan, passed away on October 5, 2023, after an allergic reaction to a meal she consumed at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. The couple, along with Tangsuan’s mother, had chosen the restaurant based on Disney’s and Raglan Road’s assurances that they prioritize accommodating guests with food allergies.
According to the complaint filed in Orange County court, Tangsuan was assured by the restaurant staff that her meal was free of allergens. However, she suffered a severe reaction shortly after eating, which led to her untimely death due to anaphylaxis caused by elevated levels of nut and dairy in her system.
In its initial response to the lawsuit in April, Disney argued that it was not liable for Tangsuan’s death, claiming that it had no control over the operations or management of Raglan Road, which it described as an independent establishment for which Disney merely serves as a landlord. Later, in May, Disney introduced a new defense, asserting that the complaint should be subject to arbitration based on Piccolo’s 2019 Disney+ subscription and his use of the company’s website to purchase theme park tickets in 2023.
However, on Monday, Disney decided to waive its right to arbitration, a move seen as an effort to expedite the legal process and provide some measure of closure to the grieving family. “We believe this situation warrants a sensitive approach to expedite a resolution for the family who have experienced such a painful loss,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences. “As such, we’ve decided to waive our right to arbitration and have the matter proceed in court.”
The decision to move forward with a court hearing reflects Disney’s acknowledgment of the severity of the case and the impact it has had on the Piccolo family. By opting out of arbitration, Disney is allowing for a more transparent legal process that could potentially lead to a swifter resolution.
