Judge dismisses personal claims against Stew Leonard execs in dancer death

Waterbury Superior Court Judge Kimberly Massicotte ruled on Oct. 15 that the chief executive officer and employees of Stew Leonard's cannot be individually sued over the death of Órla Baxendale, the New York Post reported. The family and estate of the British professional dancer filed wrongful death claims following her death from an allergic reaction to a mislabeled cookie. [1]

According to court documents cited by Allergic Living and the New York Post, the judge ruled that Chief Executive Officer Stew Leonard Jr. and other staff members are protected from individual liability under the Connecticut Product Liability Act. Lawyers representing Baxendale's estate previously stated that an EpiPen was used during the allergic reaction, but it was not effective because of the severity of her allergy. [1]

Baxendale was a native of Manchester, England, who moved to New York in 2018 to train on a scholarship at The Ailey School, the New York Post reported. Stew Leonard's is a regional grocery chain operating eight stores across Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. [1][3]