Some allergies can be life-threatening and have to be paid extra attention to. Due to a slip-up in a Las Vegas resort, a man died after eating contaminated pesto, triggering his shellfish allergy, and his family is planning to sue.
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Abraham Kenneth Ezra Williams and his family were enjoying a nice lunch at the Beauty & Essex inside The Cosmopolitan. He ordered the spaghetti and pesto dish, not expecting it to contain shellfish. He had informed the restaurant of his shellfish allergy beforehand and presumed there wouldn't be any problem.
However, due to some cross-contamination in the kitchen, the pesto triggered his allergies. Despite the kitchen not using shellfish in the dish, the shop-bought pesto they used did. After tucking into his meal, his first mouthful sent him into anaphylactic shock. He rushed to the bathroom, while staff at the Beauty and Essex dialed 911.
According to the lawsuit, incorrect procedures were performed as the man struggled to breathe. "Employees of Defendant Cosmopolitan and/or Beauty & Essex created a barricade around the Decedent and refused to let anyone through to perform any life-saving techniques," the lawsuit states.
Man Dies Of Shellfish Allergy After Four Days
The lawsuit goes on to state that the emergency services didn't follow the correct procedure for someone suffering anaphylaxis from a shellfish allergy. Allegedly, they delayed administering medication and didn't monitor his health on the way to the hospital properly.
On arrival at the hospital, the man was given a cricothyrotomy. This is a process where the doctors cut a hole in the neck to allow the man to breathe. His airways were closed due to the shellfish allergy. He was then put on a ventilator.
However, this was all too little too late, and he died four days later. The defendant is looking for general and special damages of over $15,000, as well as unspecified punitive damages and a jury trial.
While working in a kitchen, it is imperative that cross-contamination is prevented. This is for many reasons, such as cleanliness and order, but mostly, it is for allergy control. Many allergies, such as nuts and shellfish, can be fatal if not adhered to.
