Disney Drops Arbitration in Wrongful Death Case

Disney has changed its mind about a legal battle over the tragic death of a woman at one of its restaurants in Florida. Jeffrey Piccolo, whose wife Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan passed away after an allergic reaction to food, had filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Disney.

Initially, Disney tried to throw the case into arbitration, claiming Piccolo’s acceptance of the terms for a free trial of Disney+ meant he couldn’t sue in court. This raised eyebrows, considering the serious nature of the situation. The company, however, quickly faced backlash for their approach.

Disney’s chairman, Josh D’Amaro, stated that they would now allow the case to move forward in court instead of arbitration. He mentioned that given the sensitive circumstances surrounding the family’s loss, it’s best to expedite the process for a resolution.

Dr. Tangsuan died after dining at Raglan Road, a restaurant in the Disney Springs area, where she reportedly informed the staff about her severe dairy and nut allergies. Her husband claims the restaurant did not take proper precautions despite her warnings.

The lawsuit seeks over $50,000 along with other damages for suffering, lost income, and medical costs. Disney has contended that they aren’t responsible for the management of the restaurant, but this argument didn’t sit well with many.

Legal experts weighed in, stating that Disney’s attempt to link a streaming service’s terms to a dining experience was quite a stretch. With the company now opting for a court hearing, the focus is back on the case rather than legal technicalities.