A 13-year-old girl from east London died after suffering a severe allergic reaction after drinking a hot chocolate bought from Costa Coffee.
Hannah Jacobs, from Barking, went into anaphylactic shock while at a dentist appointment with her mother on February 8 last year, and died soon after.
An inquest into her death, which is expected to last six days, is to begin at East London Coroner’s Court in Walthamstow on Monday (August 12).
Law firm Leigh Day, which is representing Hannah’s family at the inquest, said Hannah died “following a suspected anaphylactic reaction to a hot chocolate drink” that was bought from a Costa Coffee branch in Barking, which is owned and operated by a franchise partner.
Hannah had severe allergies to dairy, egg, fish and wheat. which she had “managed well” throughout her life, having been diagnosed as a toddler.
Just before 11am on the day Hannah died, her mother ordered hot chocolate drinks from the shop, and informed the barista of Hannah’s dairy allergy, said Leigh Day.
Hannah and her mother then went to a dental practice in East Street for a dentist appointment.
“Hannah took a sip of her drink while in the waiting room and told her mother it was not soya milk,” said Leigh Day. “She immediately began having an allergic reaction.”
Hannah and her mother went to a nearby pharmacy to ask for help, and a junior EpiPen was administered.
Paramedics arrived soon after and Hannah was taken to Newham Hospital, but medics were unable to resuscitate her and she was declared at 1pm.
The inquest beginning on Monday is due to examine and establish how Hannah died.
A number of witnesses are due to give evidence.
Hannah’s mother is to be represented by members of Leigh Day’s food safety team, including partner Michelle Victor, senior associate Angela Bruno, and solicitor Andrew Jackson.
Costa Coffee has been approached for a comment.
