Loving mother and daughter are separated by death caused by a severe allergy reaction.

By Shihan Wang, LASA

Wanda Waffle, a loving mother who tragically lost her daughter in an allergen accident, has decided to take the owner of Herb’s Garden, Herb Salt, to court for negligence. Wanda is an average suburban mother to her daughter, Hazel Nutterson. Their family has lived in Nacho Country for Hazel’s entire life. Hazel was very involved in the community and was a dedicated member of her high school’s cheer squad. Hazel’s peanut allergy was discovered when she was just a small child, she was eating a protein bar when she suddenly had a reaction, and Wanda had to rush her straight to the hospital, where, thankfully, they got an EpiPen, and Hazel’s life was saved. Ever since that incident, Wanda has been very careful, making sure that she verifies the safety of everything her daughter eats.

“I would go as far as to make friends with the restaurant staff to make sure that there would be no risk.” – Wanda.

The night Hazel died, everything was normal. Wanda ordered delivery from the local restaurant Herb’s Haven, for Hazel, a vegetable curry with white rice. Things continued normally until Hazel took the first bite of her curry. As soon as her body came into contact with the peanut particles in the curry, she immediately went into anaphylactic shock, where her throat tightened, preventing Hazel from breathing correctly, and severely lowered her blood pressure. Wanda called 911 while searching desperately for Hazel’s EpiPen, something she should have carried with her at all times. This time, Hazel forgot her Epipen in her makeup bag that she left at her cheer friend’s house. Hazel dies before first responders can arrive. After Hazel’s death, Wanda’s mental health has deteriorated significantly.

“I don’t eat, I can’t get out of bed, I’m just so distraught. I miss her so much.” —Wanda

(Caption: Waffle bursts into tears on the stand when being questioned about the circumstances of her daughter’s death.)

Wanda has not been able to cope well with the loss of her only child, her grief interfering with every aspect of her life. Taking the restaurant responsible for Hazel’s death has been Wanda’s way of bringing justice for her daughter. Although Hazel’s tragedy has already passed, future accidents like hers can be prevented.