A heartbreaking story has emerged from Jacksonville, Florida, where a high school student tragically lost her life due to a severe allergic reaction to nuts. The father of Kayleen Brown, a 17-year-old student at Atlantic Coast High School, has filed a lawsuit against the Duval County Public School District, claiming negligence led to his daughter’s untimely death.
Kayleen had a well-documented history of severe food allergies, including a life-threatening nut allergy. Like many families dealing with similar challenges, the Browns worked closely with the school district to create a Food Allergy Management and Prevention Plan. This plan was meant to ensure that staff were trained to recognize allergic reactions, administer emergency medication like epinephrine, and call for immediate medical help if Kayleen came into contact with an allergen.
The tragic events unfolded on April 27, 2023, during a school activity meeting where baklava was served. Unfamiliar with the dessert, Kayleen asked school staff if it contained nuts. She was assured it did not, but unfortunately, the baklava did contain pistachios. Shortly after eating it, Kayleen began experiencing allergy symptoms and informed a school employee that she believed she had eaten nuts and was reacting to them.
Instead of activating Kayleen’s emergency action plan, the school staff failed to seek medical help or take her to the school nurse. Left to manage her symptoms alone, Kayleen went to a nearby pharmacy to buy Benadryl. Tragically, her condition worsened. She experienced anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest at the pharmacy, slipping into a coma. Despite efforts to save her, Kayleen passed away.
Steven Brown, Kayleen’s father, is now seeking justice for his daughter. In the lawsuit, he claims the school district was negligent in serving a food that contained nuts after Kayleen specifically asked about its ingredients. He also accuses the district of failing to properly train staff on handling food allergies and not following the agreed-upon allergy management plan.
The wrongful death lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $50,000 to cover medical and funeral expenses, as well as the emotional toll on Kayleen’s family. Brown’s attorney, Ted Pina, emphasized the gravity of food allergies, saying, “It’s hard to imagine sometimes that someone can die from something like this, but they can and they do.”
Food allergies are a growing concern, especially for children. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 4% to 6% of children in the United States are affected. The CDC advises schools to create personalized allergy management plans for students at risk of severe reactions, ensuring their safety at all times.
This tragic case highlights the importance of awareness and proper handling of food allergies in schools. It’s a stark reminder that even a small mistake can have devastating consequences for those living with life-threatening conditions like Kayleen’s. Her family’s fight for justice serves as a call to action to prioritize the safety of children with food allergies everywhere.
