At Serve Legal, we extend our deepest condolences to the family of Benedict Blythe, a five-year-old boy who tragically lost his life in December 2021 due to a severe allergic reaction at Barnack Primary School.
Benedict suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction after accidental exposure to cow’s milk protein, one of several allergies he had alongside asthma. His parents had worked closely with the school to create a detailed allergy action plan, which included strict instructions for the safe storage and handling of his oat milk substitute. However, the inquest revealed critical failures in following these measures on the day of his death, including cross-contamination risks and delays in administering his adrenaline pen.
The inquest jury highlighted that Benedict’s allergy plan was not fully shared with all teaching staff, and important “lessons learned” from an earlier incident were overlooked. These oversights culminated in a tragic “cascade of failures,” with Benedict vomiting twice at school before collapsing and being pronounced dead shortly after at hospital.
We are profoundly moved by their courage and ongoing commitment to protecting other children from similar heartbreak through their advocacy.
Helen Blythe, Benedict’s mother, has since founded The Benedict Blythe Foundation and is campaigning for the introduction of “Benedict’s Law.” This proposed legislation aims to make it compulsory for all schools to have spare allergy pens, allergy-trained staff, and robust allergy policies to prevent future tragedies.
Benedict’s story is a poignant reminder of how essential it is to have rigorous allergy management in educational settings. At Serve Legal, we fully support the Blythe family’s efforts to drive meaningful change.
Through our partnership with Anaphylaxis UK, we work closely with businesses to ensure they offer the necessary care and accommodations to those who suffer with allergies to keep everyone safe and confident.
If you are a school, hospitality venue, or professional seeking guidance on allergy safety policies or legal advice, please don’t hesitate to contact Serve Legal. We want to see a change.