wait she fuckin died and they're quibbling over $50k i cannot help but to think this is more than $50k worth of bad publicity

Per another reply I think $50k isn't the real ask, it's the minimum ask they had to state if they wanted to file this type of case. They want this to go before a jury, who will want to award big damages if the plaintiff wins (and not a moderator, who won't, if the moderator lets the plaintiff win).

A dead 42yo physician? $5M in lost earnings alone.

Specifically bad publicity for the parks, which are known to be safe places for people with allergies...like they are constantly lauded for how great they are at handling severe allergies. Not a good look.

I know nothing about this case or Disney's general litigation strategy, but often big companies like to litigate to the hilt even small claims to try to send a signal to the plaintiffs bar that they can't be shaken down

Disney never worried about bad publicity. They truly believe they're untouchable.