Lawyers at The Button Law Firm are seeking accountability from Allen Knowledge Beginnings for disregarding a 3-year-old girl’s severe food allergy.
ALLEN, Texas, Feb. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – Allegations have been made against the daycare center Allen Knowledge Beginnings by the mother of a 3-year-old girl, citing repeated negligence concerning the child’s life-threatening fish allergy. In the lawsuit, Danielle Levy claims that despite her explicit notification of her daughter’s allergy and the provision of an emergency plan upon enrollment, caregivers at the facility still served her daughter fish sticks on two separate occasions within a four-month period. The second instance, which occurred in July 2022, resulted in the girl experiencing anaphylaxis after consuming the fish sticks. She was discovered in a bathroom struggling to breathe, with a swollen tongue, lips, and face, as detailed in the lawsuit.
In a disturbing turn of events, the daycare center and the child’s caregiver opted not to seek emergency medical assistance or adhere to the girl’s emergency allergy plan, a crucial requirement in time-sensitive situations, according to the complaint. Instead, Levy was contacted by the daycare center, prompting her to call 911. Upon arrival, emergency responders administered two EpiPens and provided oral medication to counter the anaphylactic reaction before transporting the child to the hospital. It was disclosed by the responders that had Levy delayed the call by just five minutes or attempted to transport her daughter to the hospital herself, the outcome could have tragically been fatal due to anaphylactic shock.
“In a situation where my daughter’s life hung in the balance, Allen Knowledge Beginnings failed to act promptly,” expressed Levy. “The negligence displayed is enraging, and I am grateful that my daughter survived due to the swift response of the first responders I contacted.”
Despite promoting itself as a facility safe for children with food allergies, Allen Knowledge Beginnings allegedly fell short of fulfilling this commitment, according to the lawsuit. A thorough investigation conducted by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Child-Care Licensing Division and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services revealed that the daycare center breached state regulations by exposing a child to a known allergen. Furthermore, it was discovered that the caregiver lacked the necessary background check clearance and training in handling and preventing emergencies like severe allergic reactions, as outlined in the complaint.
“This legal action underscores the fact that the negligence leading to the severe allergic reaction in this young girl is not just a legal matter but also serves as a stark reminder that daycare centers such as Allen Knowledge Beginnings bear the responsibility of safeguarding the lives of the children entrusted to their care by diligent parents,” remarked Russell Button, attorney at The Button Law Firm, representing Levy.
The lawsuit is filed as Danielle Levy, Individually and as next friend of Z.H., a minor child, vs. Kindercare Learning Centers, LLC d/b/a Allen Knowledge Beginnings and Alyssa Crisostomo, Cause No. 296-00789-2024 in the District Court of Collin County, Texas. The complaint can be accessed here.
About the Button Law Firm
The Button Law Firm (buttonlawfirm.com) is a Texas-based legal practice specializing in personal injury cases, particularly advocating for children and their families through impactful litigation to enhance community safety. Focusing on issues such as daycare and child-related injuries including cases of abuse, neglect, burns from bottle warmers, traumatic brain injuries, and catastrophic harm, The Button Law Firm operates across Texas with attorneys in Dallas, Houston, and Midland, assisting families in moving forward.
SOURCE The Button Law Firm
