A nursing home in Pinellas County, Florida is facing serious allegations following the death of an elderly resident. On January 17, 2025, Carol J. Caruso filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit against Meadowpark Operations, LLC, doing business as Meadowpark Health and Rehabilitation Center. The lawsuit accuses the facility of failing to provide adequate care to Patricia E. Williamson, leading to her untimely death.
According to the complaint, Patricia E. Williamson was a resident at Meadowpark Health and Rehabilitation Center from July 4, 2023, until her death on August 1, 2023. During this time, it is alleged that the nursing home staff neglected their duty to develop an adequate care plan and failed to properly monitor and supervise Williamson's health condition. This negligence reportedly resulted in Williamson experiencing respiratory distress and developing skin breakdowns due to inadequate care.
The plaintiff claims that these failures constitute a violation of Florida Statute §400, which outlines the standards for operating nursing homes in the state. The statute mandates that facilities like Meadowpark must provide residents with appropriate healthcare and protective services while ensuring their dignity and rights are upheld. Caruso argues that Meadowpark breached these responsibilities by not preventing mental and physical abuse of Williamson and failing to comply with relevant regulations.
In addition to direct liability for these alleged violations, the complaint also asserts that Meadowpark holds vicarious liability for its employees' actions or omissions under its control. This includes failing to properly train staff or maintain adequate staffing levels necessary for providing quality care. As a result of these alleged shortcomings, Caruso contends that Williamson suffered damages including loss of dignity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and ultimately her life.
Caruso seeks compensatory damages on behalf of Williamson's estate for medical expenses incurred due to inadequate care provided by Meadowpark Health and Rehabilitation Center before her passing away on August 1st last year; funeral costs; loss of companionship experienced by surviving family members such as herself (Williamson’s daughter) along with Robert S., another son who survived his mother too – all affected deeply by this tragic event caused allegedly through neglectful practices employed within said institution over those fateful weeks leading up towards what should have been just another ordinary day instead turned into something far more devastating than anyone could ever imagine happening so suddenly without warning signs present beforehand either.
The attorneys representing Carol J. Caruso are from Ford Dean & Rotundo P.A., including Michael Rotundo (Florida Bar No.: 0894575). The case is being heard in front of Judge Ken Burke at Pinellas County Circuit Court under Case ID: 25-000237-CI.