TALLAHASSEE - The Tallahassee Development Center (TDC) and its owners/operators Quest Management Group, Inc., and Pensacola Care, Inc. are facing civil charges for allegedly intentionally minimizing, downplaying and otherwise concealing the risk of COVID-19.
The suit filed in the Leon County Circuit Court on Feb. 18 by Sunetta Edwards, who represents the estate of TDC hall attendant Theresa Edwards, also says TDC mandated that protective facial coverings not be worn and ultimately caused an outbreak at TDC, a facility for developmentally disabled adults.
Despite multiple affirmations at the national level that the COVID-19 virus was a public health crisis, the defendants issued a formal written mandate forbidding staff from wearing face masks in March 2020, the suit says.
Shortly after, the outbreak of 70 positive COVID tests at TDC occurred. Theresa Edwards contracted COVID-19 in early April and passed away April 25, the suit says.
A subsequent OSHA investigation found the defendants to have intentionally ignored the risks of COVID-19, failed to implement a mitigation plan and neglected employees' and residents' safety by prohibiting face masks, the suit says.
On behalf of the deceased family member, Sunetta Edwards filed seven counts of negligence against the defendants and is demanding judgement for all damages.
Edwards is represented by Amber Hall Law, PLLC, of Tallahassee.