CLEARWATER — A widower is suing a Palm Harbor nursing home, alleging breach of duty, negligence and wrongful death.
Brian C. Drutman, as personal representative of his late wife, Paula Drutman, filed a complaint Jan. 25 in Pinellas Circuit Court against 3825 Countryside Boulevard Operations LLC, Lavie Care Centers LLC, et al, alleging they failed to exercise standard care and skill required of health care facilities.
According to the complaint, on April 20, 2012, Paula Drutman was admitted to Countryside Rehab and Health Center in Palm Harbor, her primary residence until she was discharged March 11, 2017. The suit says she died March 23, 2017.
Brian Drutman says he has incurred extensive medical, nursing, funeral, and other expenses as a result of the defendants' negligence in the care and treatment of his wife, which resulted in her death.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to ensure the monitoring of Paula Drutman's nutritional status, failed to ensure that its staff were properly supervised and trained, and failed to ensure adequate supervision for the safety of the resident.
Brian Drutman seeks trial by jury, disgorgement of profits, consequential damages of more than $15,000, attorney fees and court costs, prejudgment interest, punitive damages, and all other relief the court deems appropriate. He is represented by attorney Kathleen Clark Knight of Wilkes & McHugh PA in St. Petersburg.
Pinellas Circuit Court case number 18-CA-539