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Boathouse Sued Over Disney Springs Choking Death as Restaurant Moves to Dismiss

The case has moved to federal court as The Boathouse seeks dismissal on procedural grounds.

Overview

  • The wrongful-death suit says 42-year-old Kevin Duncan began choking on steak at The Boathouse on June 8, 2025, and died the next day after being hospitalized.
  • The complaint alleges staff failed to promptly call 911, first contacted security, and that at least one employee advised against calling 911 during the incident.
  • Plaintiffs also claim the restaurant lacked a defibrillator and that surveillance video of the episode was deleted, allegations the restaurant has not addressed publicly.
  • Emergency records cited in reporting indicate Duncan had been unresponsive for about 25 minutes, and the Medical Examiner signed the death certificate without an autopsy.
  • Originally filed in October in state court, the suit was refiled in federal court on Dec. 31 as The Boathouse sought dismissal for pleading deficiencies; Disney is not a defendant and 911 call records have not yet been released.