When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Cameron Wihad went into anaphylactic shock after eating pasta made with milk at a restaurant in the town of Ravello on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, where he was on holiday with his family. His parents Cassandra and Rizwan, both 43, told restaurant staff about their eldest child’s severe allergies, saying he could not have any cheese or dairy products, but the waitress did not to understand their request and assured them it was safe.

To see him going into anaphylactic shock and suffering like that was undoubtedly the worst experience of our lives.

Rizwan Wihad, Cameron’s dad

The youngster then collapsed after eating the pasta and suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of the town’s main square minutes later.

Mrs Wahid managed to give her son an EpiPen but he died three days later in hospital in Naples, Manchester Evening News reports.

Speaking today, Mr Wahid said: “Cameron’s allergy had always been severe, but we were so careful with him and scrupulous with what he ate.

“Prior to his allergic reaction, we were assured by the waiting staff that the food was safe for him.

“To see him going into anaphylactic shock and suffering like that was undoubtedly the worst experience of our lives.

“He was such a lovely little boy, and always brightened up our days.”

The family, from East Grinstead, West Sussex, have now been awarded £288,000 (Euro 325,000) compensation by a court – more than five years on from the death in October 2015.

Ester Di Lascio, a waitress at the La Margherita Villa Giuseppina restaurant, was found guilty of culpable manslaughter by an Italian court. She did not properly highlight the possible allergic reactions caused by ingredients in dishes on the restaurant’s menu, the court found.

The pasta the boy ate was served with a tomato sauce that had been prepared with milk by a chef who was later cleared of any wrongdoing.

Mrs Wahid, who at the time worked as a nurse, added that his death was avoidable and she and her husband are still struggling to come to terms with his tragic passing.

Most Common Allergies

Mr Wahid has started working as an ambassador with Allergy UK, the country’s leading charity providing support to people with allergies.

He continued: “We feel his death was avoidable and we are still struggling to come to terms with him not being here anymore.

“We know nothing will bring him back, but we want to help stop others from suffering the pain we continue to feel.

“People need to know how serious allergies can be, and we will continue to work in raising much-needed awareness.

“We are grateful that the case is now at an end, and want to thank everyone for all the support we have had.

“For us, everything has been about using the criminal trial process in Italy to ensure that justice was obtained for Cameron, which we have done, as well as to establish facts and ensure lessons are learned so that others don’t have to suffer like we have.”

This comes after the family received an undisclosed sum of money to help access specialist support and overcome their ordeal.

Daniel Matchett, a specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said: “The past few years have been incredibly difficult for Cameron’s family, after having to see him die from an allergic reaction which could and should have been prevented.

“Cassandra and Riz were always very careful with controlling Cameron’s allergies, and losing him has had such a devastating impact on them.

“While they cannot turn back the clock and change what happened, Cassandra and Riz want to make people aware that allergies are potentially life-threatening to help ensure that no others go through what they have.”

Source: Read Full Article