How is Chantel Giacalone now? Model left brain-damaged gets paid millions for medical negligence
Chantel Giacalone was left paralysed after consuming a peanut butter pretzel. Her allergy was not treated sufficiently, resulting in brain damage. The Las Vegas Jury has awarded her family $30 million.
The three-week civil trial for Chantel Giacalone’s Las Vegas pretzel allergy concluded on Friday 9th April, where she received $29.5 million for damages for medical expenses and emotional suffering.
What happened to the model and actress?
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What happened to Chantel Giacalone?
Back in February 2013, Chantel modelled at the MAGIC fashion trade show in Las Vegas with her friend Tara Retes, who offered her a frozen yoghurt topped with a peanut butter-infused pretzel. Tara was unaware of her allergy and Chantel was did not know of the ingredients.
At the time, the model was 27-years-old and fell into an anaphylactic shock. She rushed to on-site medics MedicWest Ambulance and her lawyer, Christian Morris, claims that she lost oxygen to her brain for a few minutes after seeking treatment from them.
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Jury has awarded $29.5 million(over ₹220 crore) to the family of an aspiring model & actress Chantel Giacalone, who was left brain-damaged after being treated for a severe allergic reaction. She went into anaphylactic shock after biting into a pretzel infused with peanut butter. pic.twitter.com/wcoA0Wz6fI
— Tushar Kant Naik ॐ♫₹ (@tushar_kn) April 12, 2021
During the final hearing on Thursday, April 8 2021 , Christian argued that MedicWest was negligent since they failed to provide epinephrine, which is required by law by the Southern Nevada Health District.
The defenders denied any wrongdoing, claiming that Giacalone never lost consciousness while in their care.
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How is Chantel Giacalone now?
Now 35, the model has been left paralysed since the incident, leaving her under the 24-hour care of her parents. She is only able to communicate using an eye gaze computer.
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For the last eight years, she has been living in the dining room of her parents’ house in Detroit. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, she listens and sings along to YouTube videos, as well as dancing exercises through facial expressions.
Chantel’s father Jack Giacalone, who is 70, said their daughter is expected to live until age 55.
After the three-week trial, Jack said, ““At least my daughter will be taken care of. I’m happy about that. All the anguish that we’ve been through for the last eight years, I’m not happy about.”
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