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Lawsuit Filed After Fatal Choking Incident at The Boathouse in Disney Springs
A lawsuit has been filed in Orange County following the death of a guest who experienced a choking incident while dining at The Boathouse, according to court records obtained by local media. The incident occurred on the evening of June 8, 2025, at Disney Springs, when the guest, identified in the lawsuit as Kevin Duncan, was eating a steak and reportedly began choking on a piece of food while seated at the restaurant.
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According to the filing, family members and friends attempted to help by performing the Heimlich maneuver and other measures. The lawsuit alleges that restaurant staff contacted on-site security rather than immediately calling 911, which the family claims caused a delay in emergency medical services being dispatched. Court records state that Duncan suffered severe hypoxia, went into cardiac arrest, and was transported to a hospital where he was placed on a ventilator. He died the following day.
The family’s lawsuit accuses the restaurant of negligence and wrongful death, asserting that choking is a foreseeable medical emergency in a dining setting and that staff should have had clear policies and training in place, including promptly contacting emergency responders. The filing seeks a jury trial and damages permitted under Florida law. At this time, the allegations outlined in the lawsuit have not been ruled on by a court, and no determination of fault has been made.
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The Boathouse has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, and the case remains in the early stages of the legal process. Incidents like this are investigated through the civil court system, where evidence, policies, and actions taken during the emergency will be examined. Disney Springs continues to operate as usual, and no changes related to this case have been announced.
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