Disney Parks Chairman Josh D'Amaro Provides Update on Raglan Road Death Lawsuit

Disney Parks Chairman Josh D'Amaro has released an official statement regarding the pending wrongful death lawsuit of a guest who suffered a fatal allergic reaction after eating at Raglan Road, a third-party restaurant at Disney Springs in Florida.

The incident occurred in October 2023. The guest consumed meals at Raglan Road after being told they were prepared safely and were allergen-free. Disney recently filed a motion to dismiss the guest's husband's lawsuit, citing an arbitration waiver the guest signed when creating a Disney+ account.

Now D'Amaro has released a new statement:

“At Disney, we strive to put humanity above all other considerations. Given such unique circumstances as this case, we believe this situation requires a sensitive approach to expedite a resolution for the family who have suffered such a painful loss. For this reason, we have decided to waive our right to arbitration and take the matter to court.”

Josh D’Amaro

This statement suggests that Disney is withdrawing its motion to dismiss. Originally, Disney argued that it should not be included in the lawsuit because Raglan Road is a third-party company (that is, not owned or operated by Disney).

The complaint states that Disney “advertises and represents to the public that food allergies and/or accommodations for individuals with food allergies are a top priority at its parks and resorts, including DISNEY SPRINGS, and that customers/guests may consult with a chef or Cast Member trained in special diets prior to ordering, and that Plaintiff has consistently relied on these representations in making his dinner selection for DISNEY SPRINGS/RAGLAN ROAD.”

After the incident became public, Raglan Road updated its website to say that it “can NOT guarantee that the meals we prepare are free from gluten/allergens or free from cross-contamination.”

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Katie Francis