In the Circuit Court of the 6th Judicial Circuit, Pinellas County, Florida, Connie Kersey, acting as durable power of attorney for a disabled adult identified as J.K., has filed a lawsuit against Suncoast New Options, Inc. The case, with ID number 24-001347-CI, was filed on March 25, 2024.
The plaintiff alleges that on April 5, 2022, J.K. was assaulted by Jeffrey B. Daphney Sr., an employee of Suncoast New Options. The incident occurred at a residential facility in Tarpon Springs run by the defendant company. The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 exclusive of costs and interest.
Connie Kersey accuses Suncoast New Options of negligence in vetting and training its employees. She asserts that Daphney was hired just one day before the assault took place and had received virtually no training prior to interacting with disabled adults like J.K.
Kersey is seeking judgment against Suncoast New Options for their alleged failure to provide a safe environment for J.K., resulting in physical harm and emotional distress. She also points out that the defendant company has previously been reprimanded by the State of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.