Disney Withdraws Arbitration Claim, Will Allow Wrongful Death Lawsuit to Proceed in Court.
- Disney’s Reversal on Arbitration: Disney has decided to withdraw its request for arbitration in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Piccolo. This decision allows the case to proceed in a court of law.
- Context of the Lawsuit: The lawsuit stems from the death of Piccolo’s wife, Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction after dining at Raglan Road, a restaurant within Disney Springs, but operated by an independent company. Piccolo alleges that the restaurant failed to properly address her severe allergies.
- Public Backlash Influencing Decision: Disney’s initial attempt to have the case resolved through arbitration, based on terms from a Disney+ free trial, faced significant public criticism. This backlash appears to have influenced Disney’s decision to allow the lawsuit to be heard in court.
Disney has reversed its decision to pursue arbitration in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Piccolo. The case, which centers around the death of Piccolo’s wife, Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, is set to proceed in court following Disney’s change of stance.
In 2023, Tangsuan suffered a fatal allergic reaction after dining at Raglan Road, a restaurant located within Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida. Piccolo’s lawsuit claims that the restaurant, operated by an independent company, failed to adequately address Tangsuan’s severe allergies to dairy and nuts.
Initially, Disney argued that the lawsuit should be resolved through arbitration due to a clause in the terms and conditions of a Disney+ free trial Piccolo signed up for in 2019. However, after facing significant public backlash, Disney decided to waive its right to arbitration.
Josh D’Amaro, a Disney spokesperson, stated, “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.”
Piccolo’s attorneys have expressed their commitment to pursuing justice and highlighted the importance of raising awareness about food allergies. They also criticized Disney’s initial attempt to avoid a jury trial.
Legal experts noted that Disney’s initial argument to move the case to arbitration was unconventional and may have backfired, drawing adverse publicity instead of the confidential resolution the company had hoped for.
Disney is now in the process of formally withdrawing its arbitration request, allowing the wrongful death lawsuit to be heard by a court. The case will address not only the circumstances of Tangsuan’s death but also claims for damages exceeding $50,000, including compensation for suffering, loss of income, and related costs.
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