A Las Vegas Diner DIED After A Single Bite Of Food

A Las Vegas restaurant faces a wrongful death lawsuit after a man died from anaphylactic shock triggered by shellfish-contaminated pesto, despite informing staff of his severe allergy.

At a Glance

  • Abraham Kenneth Ezra Williams died after eating at Beauty & Essex in The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
  • Williams informed staff of his shellfish allergy before ordering spaghettini with pesto sauce
  • The lawsuit alleges negligence by the restaurant, hotel, and emergency responders
  • Williams’ family seeks damages for ongoing grief and sorrow due to his death

Tragic Incident at Las Vegas Restaurant

In a case that highlights the critical importance of allergen management in restaurants, the family of Abraham Kenneth Ezra Williams has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Beauty & Essex, a restaurant in The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas. The lawsuit stems from a tragic incident in April 2023 when Williams, who had a severe shellfish allergy, suffered anaphylactic shock after consuming a pesto dish.

According to the lawsuit, Williams had explicitly informed the restaurant staff about his shellfish allergy before ordering spaghettini with pesto sauce. Despite this precaution, he experienced a severe allergic reaction after taking just one bite of the meal. The exact cause of the contamination remains unclear, but Williams’ death certificate cited anaphylaxis due to a food-associated allergic reaction to shrimp or nuts.

Allegations of Negligence

The lawsuit doesn’t just target the restaurant. It also names The Cosmopolitan, Clark County Fire Department, and Community Ambulance as defendants, accusing them of negligence that contributed to Williams’ death. The family’s legal team alleges a series of failures in both preventing the incident and responding to the emergency.

“On information and belief, Decedent suffered respiratory arrest while at Defendant Cosmopolitan and Defendant Beauty & Essex’s premises and due to the time elapsed until medical treatment was provided, Decedent suffered severe brain damage and eventual death,” the lawsuit states.

One of the most alarming allegations is that restaurant and hotel employees not only failed to provide medical assistance but also actively obstructed others from helping Williams. The lawsuit claims, “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.”

Emergency Response Under Scrutiny

The lawsuit also raises serious questions about the emergency response to Williams’ condition. It alleges that paramedics delayed administering medication, failed to monitor Williams properly, and allowed his condition to worsen before he arrived at the hospital. These alleged failures in emergency care reportedly led to Williams experiencing respiratory and cardiac arrest at the hospital, where he underwent a cricothyrotomy due to severe swelling.

Despite efforts to save him, Williams suffered severe brain damage due to delayed medical treatment and died after being taken off a ventilator, according to the lawsuit. The family is seeking a jury trial, general and special damages over $15,000, and unspecified punitive damages.

Industry Implications

This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the life-threatening risks faced by individuals with severe food allergies and the paramount importance of stringent allergen management practices in the food service industry. It underscores the need for thorough staff training in both allergen control and emergency response procedures.

“While we cannot comment on ongoing legal matters, we extend our sincere sympathies to those impacted,” Glen Simpson, a spokesperson for Community Ambulance, said in response to the lawsuit.

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