Royal Palm Retirement Centre Assisted Living Facility in Port Charlotte – Complaints, Deficiencies, Pending Lawsuit – 2017 Year in Review by Assisted Living Facility Neglect Lawyer James Edwin Keim

Royal Palm Retirement Centre Assisted Living Facility in Port Charlotte, Florida 2017 in Review

As an assisted living facility neglect lawyer handling cases in our local courts in Charlotte County, Florida, I track and monitor issues that arise in local retirement homes concerning the care of residents and how they are being treated.  Our family members deserve to receive the best care — not the cheapest care — that can be provided.  How can you evaluate an assisted living facility’s track record?  First, look at what recent state investigations reveal.  Second, look to see if there are any pending lawsuits.  A review of this type of information for Royal Palm Retirement Centre assisted living facility in Port Charlotte, Florida can provide a snapshot of recent complaints, lawsuits and concerns that may exist. Royal Palm Retirement Centre assisted living facility is a for-profit ALF.  It is located at 2500 Aaron Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33952.  The assisted living facility has 125 licensed bed and is also licensed by the State of Florida to provide limited nursing services to its residents.  Royal Palm Retirement Centre is part of the Holiday Retirement chain of assisted living facilities. As a Florida assisted living facility, Royal Palm Retirement Centre must ensure that its staff adheres to each resident’s rights.  What are those basic rights?  Florida’s assisted living facility resident rights include the right to live in a safe and decent living environment, free from abuse and neglect; the right to be treated with consideration and respect and with due recognition of personal dignity, individuality, and the need for privacy; and, the right to have access to adequate and appropriate health care consistent with established and recognized standards within the community.  If any of these rights are violated under Florida law, the resident has a legal right to file a lawsuit against the assisted living facility.

State Investigators Cited Royal Palm Retirement Centre Assisted Living Facility for Multiple Violations of Law During a 2017 Surprise Inspection

During January 2017, investigators with the Agency for Healthcare Administration arrived at Royal Palm Retirement Centre assisted living facility to conduct a surprise investigation.  The purpose of their visit was two-fold.  Someone had made a complaint about this assisted living facility.  The second reason for the unannounced visit was to conduct the annual inspection at Royal Palm Retirement Centre assisted living facility. Upon conclusion of the investigation at Royal Palm Retirement Centre assisted living facility, the ALF was cited for the following deficiencies, among others:  Resident Care – Supervision (A0025), Resident Care – Rights & Facility Procedures (A0030), Medication – Assistance with Self-Administration (A0052), Medication – Labeling and Orders (A0056), and Limited Nursing Services – Resident Care Standards (AN277). These citations of deficiencies mean that Royal Palm Retirement Centre assisted living facility was found to be in non-compliance with Florida law.  If you believe that an assisted living facility is failing to comply with the law or is responsible for the neglect or abuse of a resident, you may report your suspicions to the Agency for Healthcare Administration at (888) 419-3456.

A Wrongful Death Lawsuit Remains Pending Against Royal Palm Retirement Centre Assisted Living Facility During 2017

A pending lawsuit brought by the estate of a deceased former resident of Royal Palm Retirement Centre assisted living facility remained open during 2017.  The complaint against Royal Palm Retirement Centre alleges that the staff committed a medication error involving the use of a heart medication known as Digoxin. The pending lawsuit seeks damages for the wrongful death of the resident against Royal Palm Retirement Centre.  It is noteworthy that, even after this lawsuit was filed against this assisted living facility, Royal Palm Retirement Centre was found to be in violation of the Florida Administrative Code sections that concern staff assistance with self-administration of medication as well as medication labeling and orders. A large assisted living facility can bring in millions of dollars a year.  If, on a rare occasion, the State of Florida fines an assisted living facility for providing substandard care, the amount is small by comparison:  normally within the range of $1,000 to $5,000.  For a company making millions, this is truly a slap on the wrist.  The assisted living facility is still able to laugh all the way to the bank.  The damages available for resident abuse and neglect in a private lawsuit, however, are not limited.  Therefore, it is only through the enforcement of private lawsuits that an assisted living facility is caused to feel financially threatened.  Lawsuits provide a strong incentive to clean up their act, change policies and hire and train more staff to care for the residents.

Medication Errors in Florida Assisted Living Facilities Remain a Serious Problem Facing Residents and their Families

Unfortunately, as an assisted living facility neglect attorney, I have seen the devastating effects of medication errors.  Poorly educated and untrained staff, a lack of nursing supervision and a failure to follow doctors’ orders all contribute to this problem.  An abusive use of medication to alter the supervision needs of residents may also arise.  Therefore, family members should carefully watch out for any changes in their loved one’s appearance, mental state, and physical abilities.  Abrupt changes should be brought to the attention of a physician immediately — even if assisted living facility staff tries to down-play it or brush off your concerns.  Trust your instincts.  You know the resident better than anyone else.

Have Questions About Royal Palm Retirement Centre Assisted Living Facility or another Florida ALF? Call Assisted Living Facility Neglect and Abuse Lawyer James Edwin Keim at (844) 485-7600

If you wish to join the fight to improve the quality of care in Florida’s assisted living facilities or take action to hold an assisted living facility accountable for the neglect or abuse of a resident, please feel free to call me today for a free, confidential consultation.  I handle cases against assisted living facility corporations throughout Florida with a focus on those ALFs located in Charlotte, Sarasota, Lee and Manatee Counties.  Common problems we see include falls and fractures, bed sores (also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers), medication errors, malnutrition, infection, dehydration, pneumonia and other serious injuries.  Our office is conveniently located at 4140 Woodmere Park Boulevard, Venice, FL 34293.  You may reach me locally at (941) 485-7600 or toll free nationwide at (844) 485-7600.  All cases are handled on a contingency fee and cost basis — there are no fees or costs unless we make a recovery.  James Edwin Keim, Florida Assisted Living Facility Abuse and Neglect Lawyer.  Photographs and text copyright James Edwin Keim © 2017.  All Rights Reserved.