Model left brain-damaged after allergic reaction to pretzel awarded $29.5M

The household of a model who was left brain-damaged after having a critical allergic reaction to a peanut butter-infused pretzel was awarded almost $30 million by a Las Vegas jury.

Chantel Giacalone’s household was awarded the $29.5 million sum Friday when a jury discovered that the responding ambulance service negligently handled her in 2013, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

“At least my daughter will be taken care of. I’m happy about that,” her father, Jack Giacalone, mentioned after the decision was learn.

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On Feb. 20, 2013, then-27-year-old Giacalone was modeling garments at a trend commerce present on the Mandalay Bay South Convention Center when her good friend purchased her frozen yogurt and put a bite-size pretzel on high.

Giacalone, an aspiring actress, went into anaphylactic shock after taking a chew.

Her lawyer, Christian Morris, mentioned she misplaced oxygen to her mind for a interval of minutes after in search of remedy from MedicWest Ambulance, which was operating the medic station that day.

During the three-week civil trial, Morris argued that neither of the 2 medics on-site that day had IV epinephrine, an adrenaline remedy for extreme allergic reactions required by the Southern Nevada Health District.

The medics solely had intramuscular epinephrine of their baggage, which they used on Giacalone — however IVs are required when a affected person goes into full anaphylaxis.

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“Every minute of Chantel’s life has been inextricably altered,” Morris mentioned in court docket. “Every single minute since she walked into that medic room to a company that chose profits over patient care.”

MedicWest denied any wrongdoing and mentioned the result was inevitable due to Giacalone’s heightened sensitivity to peanuts.

But, her dad mentioned, “The truth came out. Because what happened in that room was nothing. They let my daughter linger.”

“All the anguish that we’ve been through for the last eight years, I’m not happy about,” Jack Giacalone mentioned. “I just hope MedicWest changes their ways.”

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At the time of the incident, Chantel had been launching her performing profession, with roles within the 2009 thriller “The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations” and the net collection “Hollow Walls.”

Now 35, she is quadriplegic, has to be fed via a tube and may solely talk along with her eyes, in accordance to the Review-Journal.

Her mother and father present Chantel with 24-hour care. They mentioned the cash from the lawsuit will likely be invested in her future care and a brand new house that’s extra conducive to her wants.

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