Background: Atlantic Coast High School, Jacksonville, Florida (screengrab via First Coast News). Inset: Kayleen Savonn Brown (Quinn Shalz Funeral Home).
The family of a teen girl with a nut allergy who died after eating baklava at school — allegedly after school staff told her the dessert was nut-free — has reportedly reached a settlement with the school district.
Kayleen Brown, 17, attended Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville, Florida. She suffered from severe food allergies, including a nut allergy. Despite Kayleen and her family having developed a Food Allergy Management and Prevention Plan in conjunction with the Duval County Public School district (DCPS), school staff did not intervene when Kayleen began suffering a severe allergic reaction.
According to the lawsuit filed by Kayleen’s father, Steven Brown, Kayleen had been attending a school activity meeting in 2023 at which baklava — a sweet pastry that traditionally contains nuts like pistachios or walnuts — was served to students. School staff incorrectly told Kayleen that the food did not contain nuts, and after eating it, Kayleen began to experience allergy symptoms. According to Brown’s filing, Kayleen told school employees that she had eaten nuts and was having a reaction, but they did not follow the agreed-upon protocol by notifying emergency response. Instead, Kayleen left the school grounds and went to a local pharmacy where she obtained Benadryl to treat her symptoms.
While at the pharmacy, Kayleen experienced anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest which led to her death.
The Browns’ lawsuit claimed unspecified damages in excess of $50,000 intended to address medical and funeral expenses, lost income, and the suffering. The family’s attorney, Ted Pina, told press that he worked to get the case scheduled for a quick mediation, which, according to court records, occurred on March 11. At the mediation, the parties reached a settlement. No details have been released as to the terms of the settlement.
The school district reportedly issued a statement that said, “While we are grateful to have reached agreement on the settlement, we understand that no legal outcome can ease the pain that comes with the loss of a child.”
Tort claim limits in Duval County, Florida cap recovery for personal injuries against the municipality at $200,000 per person or $300,000 per occurrence.
Law&Crime reached out to the parties for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
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