Tragic Death Sparks Lawsuit Against Local High School

News Summary

The local high school community in Jacksonville is mourning the loss of 17-year-old Kayleen Brown, who died due to a severe allergic reaction at a school event. Her father has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Duval County Public Schools, citing negligence related to food allergy protocols. The incident has raised awareness about the importance of food safety measures in schools and the need for better training for staff regarding allergic reactions.

Devastating Tragedy Strikes Local High School Community

In Jacksonville, Florida, a heartbreaking incident has led to a wrongful death lawsuit against Duval County Public Schools. The case stems from the tragic loss of 17-year-old Kayleen Brown, a senior at Atlantic Coast High School, who passed away after suffering a severe allergic reaction during a school event.

The Incident

On April 30, 2023, Kayleen attended a school function where she unknowingly consumed baklava that contained nuts, a substance she was severely allergic to. This painful incident unfolded just days after she had raised concerns about food allergens during a school meeting. Despite her inquiries about whether the baklava contained nuts, she was assured by the DCPS staff that it did not.

Failure in Protocol

Kayleen was well aware of her nut allergy, and it is known that the school staff were informed of her condition. However, after eating the baklava, she began to show symptoms of an allergic reaction. Despite these alarming signs, the school employees did not take the necessary steps to address the situation. Instead of leading her to the nurse or calling for emergency assistance, Kayleen was left to go to a pharmacy for Benadryl by herself.

Sadly, her condition worsened dramatically after she reached the pharmacy, leading to anaphylaxis and subsequently cardiac arrest. Despite efforts, Kayleen fell into a coma, remaining in this state until she tragically passed away three days later.

The Lawsuit

In July 2024, Steven Brown, Kayleen’s father, filed a lawsuit against Duval County Public Schools, seeking damages of at least $50,000. The lawsuit accuses the school district of being negligent in their care by failing to inform students about food allergens and neglecting to adequately train staff on food allergy protocols as outlined in the school’s Food Allergy Management and Prevention Plan.

This plan requires staff to be trained to recognize allergic reactions and to administer emergency treatment, which the lawsuit claims was not followed. Steven Brown hopes that shining a light on this devastating incident will foster greater awareness about food allergies and help prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

School’s Response

As this legal matter continues, a spokesperson for Duval County Public Schools expressed condolences to the Brown family. However, due to the ongoing litigation, their response remains limited. It’s clear that this incident has raised important questions regarding the safety measures in place to protect students with severe allergies at school events.

Community Impact

This incident has rippled through the school community, igniting discussions among students, parents, and staff about the necessity of being vigilant and informed about food allergies. Schools are places for learning and growing; however, they must also be environments where students feel safe, especially when it comes to their health.

Steven Brown’s efforts may pave the way for changes within the school district, emphasizing the need for clear communication about food allergens. It is hoped that schools across the county will take a proactive stance, ensuring that similar tragic situations are avoided in the future.

As the community processes Kayleen’s untimely death, all eyes are on the unfolding legal proceedings and the potential changes that could arise from this heartbreaking story. Many hope that raising awareness about food allergies will lead to stricter safety protocols, safeguarding other students and preventing another family from enduring such a devastating loss.

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HERE Resources

Tragic Incident at School Leads to Lawsuit Over Allergy Negligence

Additional Resources

• News4Jax
• People
• Law & Crime
• Wikipedia: Food Allergy
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Allergy