Disney reconsiders mandatory arbitration for a claim involving alleged wrongful death.
Previously, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts asserted in legal documents that the deceased wife's husband, Jeffrey Piccolo, can't sue for her alleged wrongful death due to the terms of his Disney+ streaming service agreement.
In the lawsuit, Piccolo claimed that his wife, Kanokporn Tangsuan, suffered a fatal allergic reaction from a dish she consumed at a park restaurant in 2023. Disney attempted to dismiss the case by requesting the court to transfer the dispute to arbitration, meaning the legal proceedings wouldn't occur before a jury or continue within the court.
Disney's argument stated that Piccolo had agreed to arbitrate all disputes with the company when he signed up for a Disney+ trial several years prior. The company's legal team also suggested that since Piccolo used the Walt Disney Parks' website to purchase Epcot Center tickets, Disney was shielded from any lawsuit brought forth by the deceased wife's estate.
In a statement sent to CNN on Monday, Josh D'Amaro, the chairman of Disney Experiences, announced that Disney would waive its right to arbitration.
"At Disney, we prioritize treating humanity with the utmost importance. Given the special circumstances involving this case, we deem it necessary to adopt a sensitive approach to swiftly resolve this matter for the family who has experienced such an emotional loss," D'Amaro said in the statement.
"Thus, we've opted to forgo our right to arbitration and bring the case before a court."
Last week, Piccolo's lawyer, Brian Denney, deemed Disney's argument as "absurd ... so outrageously unreasonable and unfair that it should leave the judicial system in shock."
Piccolo's lawyers also pointed out that he believed he had only signed up for a one-month free streaming trial, as it appeared he canceled the subscription before incurring any charges.
CNN has reached out to Denney for comment.
Piccolo is seeking compensation exceeding $50,000 under Florida's Wrongful Death Act, along with damages for emotional pain and suffering, loss of companionship and protection, loss of income, and medical and funeral expenses.
In the dispute, Disney argued that Piccolo's agreement to arbitration, stemming from his Disney+ trial subscription, applied to any disputes with the company. As Disney prioritizes business operations, the chairman of Disney Experiences stated, "We've opted to forgo our right to arbitration and bring the case before a court."
