The tragic death of a Florida nursing home resident has sparked a legal battle, as the estate of the deceased has filed a lawsuit against two companies responsible for her care. The Estate of Bernice Deas, represented by Hazeline Parkinson, lodged the complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida on March 5, 2025. The defendants named in this case are Clearwater Care Acquisition, LLC and Citadel Care Group, LLC.
According to the court documents, Bernice Deas was admitted to a nursing home operated by Clearwater Care Acquisition (referred to as "LICENSEE") and managed by Citadel Care Group (referred to as "MANAGEMENT") located at 2055 Palmetto St., Clearwater, FL. During her stay at the facility, Deas suffered from several preventable injuries due to alleged negligence by both LICENSEE and MANAGEMENT. These injuries included skin breakdowns, falls, wandering incidents, infections, malnutrition, and dehydration. Tragically, these conditions persisted until her death on January 15, 2024.
The plaintiff claims that both defendants violated Chapter 400 of the Florida Statutes which sets standards for operating nursing homes. They allege that LICENSEE failed in its duty to provide reasonable care and supervision to residents like Deas. Specific accusations include failing to prevent physical injury and abuse; not properly assessing risks such as skin breakdown or falls; neglecting timely medical consultations; not providing adequate nutrition or hydration; among others.
Similarly, MANAGEMENT is accused of having control over critical aspects of the nursing home's operations but failing to ensure proper staffing levels or maintain adequate policies and procedures for resident care. The complaint details numerous instances where MANAGEMENT allegedly fell short of their obligations under Chapter 400 rights regarding patient safety standards.
The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $50,000 exclusive of costs interest attorney's fees within applicable statute limitations period set forth by law it further demands trial jury all issues so triable Additionally estate survivors including but limited mental pain suffering loss services consortium society comfort support decedent along with funeral expenses medical bills other related costs wrongful death survival actions outlined
Representing plaintiff Senior Justice Law Firm led Ryan G Dwyer Esquire who filed this case Circuit Court Sixth Judicial Pinellas County Florida March Fifth Twenty Twenty Five Case Number:25-001046-CI no information provided about defense counsel judges involved proceedings