The family of a New York doctor is suing Disney World after she tragically died following a severe allergic reaction at one of its restaurants. Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, known as Amy, a respected physician at NYU Langone, passed away in October during a family vacation to the popular theme park. Her husband, Jeffery Piccolo, has filed a lawsuit against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Raglan Road Irish Pub, alleging negligence on the part of the restaurant staff led to her death.
According to the lawsuit, Dr. Tangsuan, who had known dairy and nut allergies, inquired with waiters at Raglan Road Irish Pub about the presence of these allergens in her food. She was reportedly assured multiple times by the restaurant staff that her meals could be prepared free of dairy and nuts. Relying on these assurances, Dr. Tangsuan ordered vegan fritters, scallops, onion rings, and a vegan shepherd’s pie.
Shortly after dining, while shopping at Disney World, Dr. Tangsuan began experiencing severe breathing difficulties and collapsed. Despite administering an EpiPen, her condition worsened. The lawsuit states that she suffered anaphylactic shock and later died in a Florida hospital. Medical examinations revealed elevated levels of dairy and nut in her system, confirming the cause of death as anaphylaxis due to these allergens.
The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $50,000 under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, in addition to compensation for mental anguish, loss of income, and funeral expenses. Piccolo’s attorney expressed his client’s devastation at the loss of his wife, highlighting her promising future and their plans to start a family. He emphasized that this tragedy “never should have happened.”
Dr. Adam Berman, from Long Island Jewish Medical Center/Northwell Health, commented on the function of EpiPens, explaining that they are a temporary measure to buy time until emergency medical treatment can be obtained. He stressed that while EpiPens can be life-saving in allergic reactions, they are not a definitive cure.
As of now, Disney World has not issued any public statement regarding the lawsuit or Dr. Tangsuan’s death. The case raises serious questions about food allergy protocols in restaurants, particularly in environments like Disney World that cater to a large number of visitors with diverse dietary needs. The legal proceedings will likely examine the extent to which Raglan Road Irish Pub and Disney World upheld their duty of care to ensure the safety of their patrons with food allergies.
