Family of Man Allergic to Shellfish Sues Vegas Eatery for his Wrongful Death

Family of Man Allergic to Shellfish Sues Vegas Eatery for his Wrongful Death.

Costfoto / NurPhoto / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

Abraham Williams told his server at Beauty Essex, an upscale restaurant at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, that he was allergic to shellfish when he ordered spaghettini with pesto sauce one evening last year. But shellfish is what he got, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed Dec. 26 or at least shellfish contamination. After one bite, Williams went into anaphylactic shock. He died on April 30, 2023, and his death certificate lists the cause of death as “food associated allergic reaction.

Beauty Essex was opened by Tao Group Hospitality in May 2016 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, which was later purchased by MGM Resorts. (Image: MGM Resorts)

The civil suit which seeks general and special damages in excess of $15K as well as punitive damages claims that Williams was served an “unsafe” meal with “known allergens.” It accuses not only Beauty Essex and the Cosmopolitan but the Clark County Fire Department and Community Ambulance of acting in a negligent manner that contributed to Williams’ death.

According to the claim, though employees at both the restaurant and resort were trained in medical response, they “stood by watching as (Williams) remained breathless, choking for air, and provided no assistance of any kind” after Williams was taken outside by friends who also dialed 911.

In addition, the lawsuit claims, these employees “created a barricade around (Williams) and refused to let anyone through to perform life saving techniques.”

Once the fire department and ambulance arrived, the suit notes, EMT workers began CPR and inserted an “airway device.” However, it also claims that they “failed to timely administer oxygen” or to intubate Williams correctly, allowing him to pull out his air tube. Furthermore, the suit claims, an EKG, which would have “properly monitored” his cardiac arrest, was not performed.

Decedent suffered severe brain damage and eventual death, claimed the the lawsuit, which was filed by attorneys Christian Morris and Jamie McInelly in Clark County District Court on behalf of Williams’ parents and an administrator of his estate.

Upon arriving at Sunrise Hospital, the complaint said, Williams went into respiratory and cardiac arrest, and doctors could not re-intubate him due to swelling. A cricothyrotomy was performed, after which Williams was taken to intensive care and placed on a ventilator. His family removed it so he could die, two days later, at Nathan Adelson Hospice.

The suit said the plaintiffs continue to “suffer from grief and sorrow” due to Williams’ death.

Article Sources
Cambodian Authorities Threaten to Bulldoze Unlicensed Chinese Casino Pumping Raw Sewage onto Island Paradise editorial policy.
  1. Gaming REITs MGM Growth, Vici Properties Raise Dividends, Both Yield More Than Double 10 Year Treasuries

Compare Accounts
×
Nevada Democratic Party Pushes for State AG Adam Laxalt Ethics Investigation
Provider
Name
Description
‘Dateline’ Ted Binion Episode Documents Mysterious Death of Las Vegas Casino Heir  WarHorse Omaha Announces Opening Date of Permanent Casino in Nebraska  NBA Most Improved Player: Lauri Markkanen, Jalen Brunson in Close Race  Maryland Sportsbooks Ditch Most College Player Props After Regulatory Change  Pennsylvania Lottery Games Go Online in May, Virtual Sports Betting Launches in June  Gaming REITs MGM Growth, Vici Properties Raise Dividends, Both Yield More Than Double 10 Year Treasuries  Las Vegas Raiders Stadium Budget Finalized at $1.8 Billion  PokerStars Hosts First Tournament Series for Combined Player Pools in Michigan, New Jersey  Sands Bethlehem Reportedly on Sheldon Adelson’s Chopping Block  Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets Star, Out a Month with Another MCL Sprain