JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A local family is initiating legal action against Duval County Public Schools after their daughter succumbed to a fatal allergic reaction at a school event, where she was reportedly assured that the food she was offered did not contain nuts. The tragic incident has sparked a conversation about the responsibility of educational institutions to safeguard students with known health risks.
The lawsuit centers on the death of 17-year-old Kayleen Brown, whose parents, Sue Soth and Steven Brown, claim that her severe nut allergy was well-documented in her school records. On April 27, 2023, during a school activity meeting at Atlantic Coast High School, Kayleen consumed baklava after being informed by school staff that the dessert was nut-free.
Shortly after eating, Kayleen experienced symptoms indicative of an allergic reaction. The complaint details that instead of receiving immediate medical attention at the school, she was permitted to leave the premises in search of medication. Tragically, she suffered a severe anaphylactic shock followed by cardiac arrest at a local pharmacy and fell into a coma, passing away three days later.
The legal filing challenges the school’s compliance with its own Food Allergy Management and Prevention Plan, which mandates staff training on recognizing allergy symptoms, administering emergency treatment such as EpiPens, and summoning medical help. The lawsuit alleges that these protocols were grossly neglected in Kayleen’s case.
Accusations detailed in the lawsuit further include negligence on the part of the school for failing to prevent Kayleen from leaving the school after exhibiting initial symptoms, not providing immediate medical aid, and inadequately training staff on handling such medical emergencies.
Kayleen’s family is seeking damages exceeding $50,000, which they state are intended to cover medical and funeral expenses, lost income, and compensation for their emotional anguish. They have requested a jury trial to resolve these claims.
At the time of this report, the school district’s representatives have yet to publicly comment on the allegations. This incident highlights the critical importance of stringent adherence to health safety protocols in schools, particularly for students with life-threatening allergies.
It is essential for educational institutions to reassess and reinforce their health emergency procedures to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The outcome of this lawsuit may set a precedent for how allergy-related incidents are handled by schools nationwide in the future.
This article was composed using generative AI technology by OpenAI and may contain factual inaccuracies. Please address any concerns or requests for corrections, retractions, or removals by emailing [email protected].