A shocking lawsuit has been filed against a prominent retirement community, alleging severe neglect and wrongful death. On July 29, 2024, Richard Perry Jr., as the personal representative of the estate of Dianne Perry, filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, against Suncoast Manor Retirement Community Inc., doing business as Westminster Suncoast, and Westminster Services Inc.
The case centers around allegations that Dianne Perry suffered extreme pain, significant scarring, substantial additional care costs, and ultimately death due to negligence and poor care at the defendants' facility. According to the complaint, Perry was admitted to Suncoast Manor on August 8, 2023. Despite being identified as a fall risk with poor safety awareness shortly after her admission, she experienced multiple falls within a short period. The lawsuit claims that these incidents were not adequately addressed by the staff or properly documented.
One particularly harrowing incident occurred on September 6, 2023, when Perry was found lying on the floor behind her bedroom door after attempting to go to the bathroom. Despite adding non-skid socks to her care plan following this fall, there is no documentation showing that this intervention was monitored by staff. Just days later, on September 16 and 17, Perry experienced more falls due to inadequate supervision and assistance from nurses or CNAs.
Perry's condition worsened significantly after these falls. She developed acute pain limiting her ability to participate in therapy and was eventually diagnosed with an acute displaced right femoral neck fracture on September 19. This injury necessitated surgical intervention for a right hip hemiarthroplasty. Tragically, despite undergoing surgery and subsequent medical care at St. Anthony’s Hospital, Perry passed away on October 20, 2023. Her death certificate cites complications from a hip fracture as the cause of death.
The plaintiff alleges that both Suncoast Manor Retirement Community Inc. and Westminster Services Inc., which managed or consulted for Suncoast Manor during Perry's residency, failed in their duty to provide reasonable nursing home care. The complaint details numerous instances of alleged negligence including failure to implement appropriate policies and procedures for resident well-being; negligent hiring; retention; training; supervision of employees; understaffing for financial gain; and failure to ensure residents' rights were met.
Richard Perry Jr., representing his late mother’s estate alongside other surviving family members such as Denise Thompson (Dianne’s daughter), seeks damages exceeding $50,000 exclusive of interest and costs. The plaintiffs are demanding judgment against both defendants for all recoverable damages under Florida law related to wrongful death caused by negligence.
The legal team representing Richard Perry Jr., led by attorney Brian C. Guppenberger from Your Insurance Attorney PLLC based in Maitland Florida will be pursuing this case vigorously seeking justice for Dianne Perry’s untimely demise due allegedly due to gross neglect at what should have been her safe haven during vulnerable times.
This case is being presided over under Case Number:24-003343-CI in Pinellas County Circuit Court with hopes that it will bring accountability upon those responsible while also potentially prompting better standards across similar facilities nationwide ensuring elderly residents receive dignified respectful care they deserve without compromise.