A doctor from New York University died shortly after she ate at one of Disney’s restaurants in Florida — and her bereaved husband is blaming negligent staffers, according to a lawsuit.
Kanokporn Tangsuan, a doctor at the prestigious NYU Langone hospital in Manhattan, died suddenly after having dinner at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant at Disney Springs on Oct. 5.
Her husband, Jeffrey Piccolo, has filed a 19-page lawsuit in Orange County, Fla. circuit court, accusing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts of negligence, noting that Tangsuan had made it clear to the waitstaff that she had a nut and dairy allergy.
The staff at the pub insisted they were able to make allergen-free food, after Tangsuan checked multiple times, the suit said.
Tangsuan ordered broccoli and corn fritter, scallops and onion rings.
The staff at the pub insisted they were able to make allergen-free food, after Tangsuan checked multiple times, the suit said.
Tangsuan ordered broccoli and corn fritter, scallops and onion rings.
According to court papers, the medical examiner’s investigation revealed she died as a result of anaphylaxis due to “elevated levels of dairy and nut in her system.”
Court papers claimed that Disney advertises and makes it clear to the public that food allergies and/or the accommodation of persons with food allergies are a “top priority” at its parks and resorts.
The suit alleged Disney “failed to educate, train and/or instruct its employees” to “make sure food indicated as allergen free or requested to be made allergen free, was in fact free of allergens.”
It also stated Disney had “control over the menu of food offered, the hiring and/or training of the wait staff, and the policies and procedures as it pertains to food allergies at Disney Springs restaurants.”
Piccolo is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 in pursuant to Florida’s wrongful death act, in addition to mental pain and suffering, loss of income and funeral expenses.
Disney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
