Disney, the entertainment giant, is embroiled in a contentious legal battle after attempting to force arbitration in a wrongful death lawsuit. The case stems from the tragic death of a woman who suffered a fatal allergic reaction at one of Disney World’s restaurants. At the heart of the dispute is a complex web of legal agreements, with Disney arguing that a seemingly unrelated Disney Plus subscription binds the victim’s family to arbitration.
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In October 2023, Kanokporn Tangsuan, a woman with severe allergies, tragically passed away after consuming food at a Disney World restaurant. Her grieving husband, Jeffrey Piccolo, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Disney, alleging negligence in accommodating Tangsuan’s dietary restrictions.
However, Disney is seeking to sidestep the courtroom altogether. In a surprising legal maneuver, the company claims that Piccolo agreed to arbitration when he signed up for Disney Plus in 2019. Disney’s argument hinges on the inclusion of an arbitration clause within the streaming service’s terms of service. Furthermore, Disney asserts that Piccolo accepted additional arbitration terms when purchasing Disney World tickets.
Piccolo’s legal team vehemently opposes Disney’s attempt to force arbitration. They argue that the arbitration clauses were buried deep within lengthy legal documents and were virtually impossible for consumers to understand. Moreover, they contend that there is no logical connection between a Disney Plus subscription or theme park ticket purchase and a wrongful death incident at a restaurant.
The case has ignited a broader conversation about the increasing use of forced arbitration by corporations. These agreements, often buried in fine print, strip consumers of their right to a jury trial and limit their ability to seek justice. Critics argue that such practices give corporations unchecked power and undermine consumer protections.
The Disney wrongful death lawsuit is a stark reminder of the growing problem of forced arbitration. As corporations continue to rely on these tactics to shield themselves from liability, it is essential for consumers to be aware of the potential consequences of clicking “agree” without carefully reading the terms and conditions.