HUMANELY KILLED LATER. COMING UP NOW ON 507. AND A POPULAR RESTAURANT IN DISNEY SPRINGS IS NOW AT THE CENTER OF A FEDERAL LAWSUIT. THAT LAWSUIT CLAIMS KEVIN DUNCAN OF MARION COUNTY, WAS EATING AT THE BOATHOUSE LAST JUNE WHEN HE STARTED CHOKING ON A PIECE OF STEAK. IT SAYS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS TRIED THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER, BUT THAT DIDN’T WORK, THE LAWSUIT ALLEGES. WHILE THAT WAS HAPPENING, STAFF GRABBED SECURITY INSTEAD OF CALLING 911, WHICH DELAYED MEDICAL RESPONSE. DUNCAN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BUT LATER DIED. THE FAMILY IS NOW SEEKING A JURY TRIAL AND DAMAGES OF $50,00
Popular Disney Springs restaurant sued after customer chokes to death on steak
Updated: 7:39 AM EST Jan 7, 2026
The Boathouse restaurant in Disney Springs is being sued after a customer choked to death on a piece of steak, according to court records. According to the complaint, Kevin Duncan, a Marion County resident, was eating at the restaurant in June 2025 when he began choking on his steak. The lawsuit filed in October 2025 against Boathouse Restaurants LLC is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, alleging that staff negligence, including a delay in calling emergency services, led to Duncan’s death.While family and friends attempted the Heimlich maneuver, the lawsuit claims that restaurant staff “did not promptly call 911; instead, staff initially contacted security, causing a delay in summoning emergency medical services.”The family is seeking a jury trial and demanding judgment for damages, including medical and funeral expenses, loss of support and services, mental pain and suffering of survivors, and net accumulations of the estate.The lawsuit was moved to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida after initially being filed in Orange County circuit court.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. —
The Boathouse restaurant in Disney Springs is being sued after a customer choked to death on a piece of steak, according to court records.
According to the complaint, Kevin Duncan, a Marion County resident, was eating at the restaurant in June 2025 when he began choking on his steak.
The lawsuit filed in October 2025 against Boathouse Restaurants LLC is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, alleging that staff negligence, including a delay in calling emergency services, led to Duncan’s death.
While family and friends attempted the Heimlich maneuver, the lawsuit claims that restaurant staff “did not promptly call 911; instead, staff initially contacted security, causing a delay in summoning emergency medical services.”
The family is seeking a jury trial and demanding judgment for damages, including medical and funeral expenses, loss of support and services, mental pain and suffering of survivors, and net accumulations of the estate.
The lawsuit was moved to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida after initially being filed in Orange County circuit court.