Disney Faces Lawsuit Over Guest's Death

Disney is seeking to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Piccolo, whose wife, Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, died from an allergic reaction after dining at Raglan Road, an Irish pub in Disney Springs, Florida. The incident occurred in October 2023, shortly after Tangsuan, who had severe allergies to nuts and dairy, consumed a meal that was allegedly guaranteed to be allergen-free by the restaurant staff. Piccolo is suing for $50,000, claiming negligence on the part of Disney and the restaurant. Disney's legal team argues that Piccolo agreed to settle any disputes through arbitration when he signed up for a one-month trial of the Disney+ streaming service in 2019. The company contends that the terms of use, which include a binding arbitration clause, apply to all disputes involving Disney and its affiliates. Disney maintains that it cannot be held liable for the incident, emphasizing that Raglan Road operates independently and is merely a tenant on Disney property. Piccolo's attorneys have countered that the arbitration agreement is unreasonable, asserting that it cannot apply to such a serious allegation as wrongful death. They argue that Tangsuan never agreed to the terms, as she was not a party to the Disney+ account. The case raises significant questions about the enforceability of arbitration clauses in consumer agreements, particularly in cases involving personal injury and wrongful death. A hearing on Disney's motion to compel arbitration is scheduled for October 2 in Orlando.