Disney Allergy Lawsuit Dismissed After Widow Drops Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company and Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant has been voluntarily dismissed, ending a case that drew national attention to allergy safety protocols at Disney Springs. The suit was filed by Jeffrey Piccolo on behalf of his wife, Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, who tragically died in 2023 following an allergic reaction during a meal at the restaurant.

The Case and Dr. Tangsuan’s Death

Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan and her husband dined at Raglan Road on October 5, 2023. According to court documents and reports, Dr. Tangsuan had documented peanut and dairy allergies, which were communicated to the restaurant staff. Despite assurances that her meal – including a broccoli and corn fritter, scallops, onion rings, and vegan shepherd’s pie – was allergen-free, she began experiencing a severe allergic reaction after dinner while shopping at Disney Springs.

Dr. Tangsuan self-administered an EpiPen, but was later pronounced dead at a hospital. A medical examiner determined the cause of death was anaphylaxis due to elevated levels of dairy and nuts in her system [WDWNT].

Initial Lawsuit and Disney’s Response

The initial lawsuit alleged negligence on the part of both Raglan Road and Walt Disney World, claiming the restaurant guaranteed allergen-free food [News 12]. Disney initially attempted to move the case to arbitration, citing terms and conditions agreed to during a Disney+ free trial subscription. However, this move faced significant public backlash.

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, subsequently announced the company would waive its right to arbitration, stating, “At Disney, we strive to put humanity above all other considerations…we’ve decided to waive our right to arbitration and have the matter proceed in court.” [MickeyBlog]

Dismissal and Potential Settlement

On February 27, 2026, Jeffrey Piccolo voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit [Allergic Living]. While the terms of the dismissal are not public, it often signals a private settlement. Representatives for the family and Disney have not yet commented on whether a financial settlement was reached [News 12].

Raglan Road and Allergen Information

Raglan Road is not owned or operated by Disney. The restaurant was included in the lawsuit because its website previously indicated it offered “allergen-free food.” Following the incident, Raglan Road updated its website to explicitly state that it is not an allergen-free establishment [MickeyBlog].

This case underscores the critical importance of clear communication regarding food allergies and the potential dangers of cross-contamination in restaurant settings.