A tragic event at The Boathouse restaurant in Disney Springs has led to a wrongful death lawsuit, as a family grieves the loss of a loved one who choked to death during a meal. In June of last year, Kevin Duncan, a Marion County resident, was dining at the popular establishment when he met his untimely demise as a result of choking on a steak. According to court documents obtained by ClickOrlando, the lawsuit alleges that the restaurant's staff failed to take appropriate actions that might have saved Duncan's life.
Amid the emergency, the court records indicate, Duncan's family and friends attempted to administer the Heimlich maneuver to no avail. The family accuses The Boathouse of not immediately contacting emergency services, opting instead to reach out to security first, which they claim contributed to the delayed response. "The Boathouse restaurant staff did not promptly call 911; instead, staff contacted security, causing a delay in summoning emergency medical services," the lawsuit stated, as ClickOrlando reported. Duncan was ultimately placed on a ventilator after suffering severe hypoxia and cardiac arrest, but passed away the following day.
The lawsuit, which seeks a jury trial and damages as permitted under Florida law, has been transferred to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida after initial filing in Orange County circuit court. The Duncan family, devastated by their loss, is demanding compensation for medical and funeral expenses, among other damages related to Duncan's death. As noted by WESH, the lawsuit also includes counts for loss of support and services, mental pain and suffering of survivors, and net accumulations of the estate, all in excess of $50,000.
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