The tragic death of 17-year-old Kayleen Brown, a student at Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville, Florida, has sparked a wrongful death lawsuit against the Duval County Public Schools (DCPS). Brown, who had a known severe nut allergy, died on April 30, 2023, three days after consuming baklava containing pistachios at a school activity meeting. The lawsuit, filed by her father, Steven Brown, alleges negligence on the part of the school in failing to prevent Kayleen’s exposure to the allergen and properly responding to her allergic reaction.
A Fatal Oversight: The Events Leading to Kayleen’s Death
The lawsuit details a series of alleged missteps that led to the devastating outcome. According to the complaint, Kayleen inquired about the presence of nuts in the baklava before consuming it but was assured by school employees that it was nut-free. After eating the pastry, she began experiencing allergic symptoms.
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Instead of immediately contacting emergency services or the school nurse, Kayleen was reportedly allowed to leave school grounds to seek Benadryl at a local pharmacy. The lawsuit contends that school staff were aware of her allergic reaction and her departure but failed to take appropriate action.
Kayleen’s condition worsened at the pharmacy, where she suffered anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest. She fell into a coma and passed away three days later. The lawsuit emphasizes the school’s alleged failure to adhere to its own Food Allergy Management and Prevention Plan, which outlines procedures for handling student allergies, including training staff to recognize symptoms, administering epinephrine, and notifying emergency responders.
Allegations of Negligence and a Father’s Grief
Steven Brown’s lawsuit accuses DCPS of negligence on several counts, including failing to warn Kayleen about the presence of nuts in the baklava, not following established emergency protocols, and permitting her to leave campus without medical attention. The family is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 and a jury trial.
“My immediate thing was, you know, ‘Why did she leave school? Or why was she allowed to leave school if the teacher was aware that she was having an allergic reaction?’” Steven Brown told local news station WJXT. “My first thing would be like, ‘Why wasn’t 911 called?’”
School District’s Response and Legal Implications
In response to the lawsuit, a Duval County Public Schools spokesperson expressed condolences to the Brown family but stated that any official response would be made within the context of the judicial proceedings. Attorney Ted Pina, representing the Brown family, highlighted the severity of food allergies and the tragic consequences that can result from inadequate preventative measures and emergency responses.
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This case underscores the critical importance of comprehensive food allergy management protocols in schools and the need for staff training to recognize and respond effectively to allergic reactions. It also raises questions about the legal responsibilities of educational institutions in ensuring the safety of students with life-threatening allergies. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for schools nationwide, potentially influencing policies and procedures related to food allergy management and emergency response. The case serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences that can occur when proper precautions are not taken to protect vulnerable individuals. The lawsuit seeks to hold the school accountable for its alleged failures and to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. The legal process will determine whether the school’s actions constituted negligence and whether they are liable for Kayleen’s death.
