Disney has reversed its stance on a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Piccolo, allowing the case to proceed in court after initially claiming that it should be settled through arbitration.
Piccolo’s lawsuit stems from the tragic death of his wife, Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction after dining at Raglan Road, a restaurant in Disney Springs, Florida, in 2023.
Disney initially argued that Piccolo was bound by an arbitration clause due to the terms and conditions he agreed to when signing up for a Disney+ free trial in 2019. This move sparked backlash, leading Disney to withdraw its arbitration demand.
“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, a Disney representative, in a statement to the BBC. Disney is now preparing to submit a filing to the court to officially withdraw its arbitration claim.
Legal experts have criticised Disney’s initial attempt to push the case into arbitration, suggesting it was a strategy to avoid negative publicity.
The lawsuit accuses Disney and Raglan Road of failing to adequately address Dr. Tangsuan’s severe allergies to dairy and nuts, which she had repeatedly informed the restaurant about. Piccolo is seeking over $50,000 in damages, plus additional compensation for suffering, loss of income, and related costs.
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