ORLANDO, FL – A lawsuit has been launched by Jeffrey J. Piccolo, the husband of a New York doctor who, according to the claim, died from an allergic reaction to food served at Disney World. Disney World and Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, where the couple dined, are facing allegations of negligence in the lawsuit.
Documents pertaining to the case suggest that despite assurances of allergy safety, the restaurant served Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan food containing allergens on October 5th. Later that night, 42-year-old Tangsuan succumbed to an acute allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, as established by an autopsy cited in the filed complaint.
Piccolo, his mother, and Tangsuan had reportedly dined at the Disney Springs restaurant under the assumption that it was prepared to accommodate Tangsuan’s allergies. The lawsuit references claims from Disney and Raglan Road that customer consultation over specific ingredients is encouraged. They stated that top priority is given to those with dietary restrictions.
According to the complaint, the staff was informed of Tangsuan’s severe allergies, and they were assured that specific dishes would be made allergen-free. The lawsuit contends that even when some dishes arrived without the expected “allergen-free flags,” repeated assurances were made of their allergy safety.
Post-dinner, Tangsuan experienced severe breathing difficulties and collapsed in another restaurant nearby. Despite the usage of her EpiPen and immediate medical attention, she passed away with her cause of death marked as accidental.
The autopsy report revealed elevated dairy and nut levels in her system. However, the report noted that the tests were conducted posthumously, and their validity and significance remained unestablished.
The restaurant and Disney Parks and Resorts are now facing multiple counts of negligence, with damages exceeding $50,000 being sought.
Although the suit has yet to be served and a formal response is pending, communication has been established with the defendants’ attorneys, according to Nicholas F. DeBellis, an investigator for the plaintiff’s attorneys.
A statement from Steve Ritea, a spokesperson for NYU Langone Health, mourned the loss of Tangsuan, who served as a physician with them, and extended condolences to her husband, Jeffrey Piccolo.