Anna Johnson, acting as the personal representative of her late mother Antoinette Johnston's estate, has filed a lawsuit against Belleair East HCC, LLC and Clear Choice Health Care, LLC. The complaint was lodged in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida on February 27, 2025. The case centers around allegations of nursing home neglect that allegedly led to severe injuries and ultimately the wrongful death of Antoinette Johnston.
According to the court documents, Anna Johnson accuses Belleair East HCC, LLC and Clear Choice Health Care, LLC of gross negligence and violations of statutory duties under Florida law. The lawsuit claims that during Antoinette Johnston's residency at Belleair Health Care Center—a facility operated by the defendants—she suffered from inadequate care which resulted in extreme pain, significant medical expenses, and untimely death on July 23, 2023. "The facility failed to provide necessary care and services," states the complaint, further alleging that Ms. Johnston's rights as a resident were severely compromised due to negligent hiring practices and understaffing aimed at financial gain.
The plaintiff outlines several specific failures by the defendants: inadequate staffing levels leading to poor patient care; failure to implement effective policies for maintaining residents' health; and not ensuring timely medical interventions. These alleged shortcomings are claimed to have directly contributed to Ms. Johnston developing septic shock from an untreated urinary tract infection (UTI), leading to her critical condition upon hospital admission in June 2023.
Anna Johnson is seeking survival damages for bodily injury, pain and suffering endured by her mother before her death. Additionally, she seeks wrongful death damages on behalf of herself and another surviving daughter, Tina Richmond. The lawsuit demands compensation for medical bills incurred due to alleged negligence, funeral expenses, loss of net accumulations from Ms. Johnston’s estate, as well as emotional distress experienced by her daughters due to their mother's premature demise.
The legal action is being pursued under multiple counts citing Chapter 400 Deprivation of Rights Claims pursuant to Florida Statute Sections 400.023 and 768.21 against both Belleair East HCC and Clear Choice Health Care. Anna Johnson argues that these entities had non-delegable statutory duties towards her mother which they failed to uphold—resulting in devastating consequences.
Represented by attorney Joshua Machlus from Your Insurance Attorney PLLC based in Maitland, Florida—the plaintiff is requesting a jury trial for all issues so triable along with costs associated with this legal action including interest from the date of Ms. Johnston’s passing.
The case is being presided over under Case Number: 25-000956-CI within Pinellas County’s judicial system where it will proceed through litigation unless settled outside court or resolved via other means priorly agreed upon between parties involved.