Village Place Retirement Assisted Living Facility Complaint Lawsuit and Deficiencies Review by Assisted Living Facility Abuse Lawyer James Edwin Keim
Placing a loved one into a long-term care facility is a difficult decision. There may be little time to decide. Considering the placement of a relative or loved one in Village Place Retirement assisted living facility? Wondering whether the operator was recently cited by the Agency for Healthcare administration? Are you concerned about complaints and lawsuits brought against the corporations that own and operate Village Place Retirement assisted living facility? A review of the public record and information concerning this ALF may help you to become a better informed consumer. As an assisted living facility abuse lawyer, I often receive calls asking for advice. I am always happy to share what I know with others.
It is advisable to take a comprehensive tour of any assisted living facility before agreeing to admit a resident. Village Place Retirement is a for-profit 114 bed assisted living facility located at 18400 Cochran Boulevard, Port Charlotte, Florida 33948. This ALF is licensed to provide limited nursing services. This does not mean, however, that residents receive 24/7 nursing care and supervision of the type that you would find in a nursing home. When touring the facility, use all of your senses. Do areas of the building appear dirty or damaged? Do the other residents look unkempt? Do there appear to be any safety hazards?
State Investigators Cite Village Place Retirement Assisted Living Facility for Two Class III Deficiencies in April, 2017
During April, 2017, the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration conducted an unannounced survey investigation at Village Place Retirement assisted living facility. The investigation resulted in Village Place Retirement being cited in violation of Florida law for deficiencies. Florida assisted living residents are guaranteed the right to live in a safe, clean, and decent homelike living environment. Of course, safety is the biggest concern. A failure to make repairs in areas where elderly residents frequently walk significantly increases the risk of a fall and serious injury.
State investigators observed and reported that damage to the floor in Village Place Retirement’s secure unit posed a safety hazard to its residents; including damage to the floor that posed a tripping hazard to elderly residents using walkers. This section of Village Place Retirement also appeared dirty and damaged to investigators. As documented by state investigators: “The tile floor throughout the area was soiled with excessive dirt buildup in the corners. The door post [was] heavily scarred. The tile floor was observed to be heavily scared and large chipped areas. The wall near the entrance to the area was observed to have a hole [filled] but not painted. [T]he administrator said the green community on the 1st floor has some serious maintenance issues. She said the area is scheduled to be remodeled but corporate has not authorized the remodeling at this time.” One does not need to be an assisted living facility abuse lawyer in order to see the potential for harm and injury that could occur in light of these types of hazards.
When an assisted living facility corporation knows that damage on its property poses a risk of harm and injury to its residents but fails to the appropriate steps to make repairs in a timely manner, that corporation is exhibiting a conscious disregard for the life, health, safety and well-being of its residents. Such conduct, under Florida law, will often support an award of punitive damages to punish the owners for ignoring problems that any reasonable person can see need to be addressed.
Most Recent Village Place Retirement Assisted Living Facility Complaint Lawsuit Concerned a Resident who Fell and Suffered a Hip Fracture
As of December, 2016, a lawsuit remained pending against the corporate owners and operators of Village Place Retirement assisted living facility. In that case, it was alleged that an elderly woman who resided at Village Place Retirement fell as a result of the negligence of staff. She was alleged in the complaint to have suffered injury, including a fractured hip, and ultimately died. The lawsuit claimed damages for injury, wrongful death, negligence and a violation of her resident rights.
Many factors contribute to the risk of falls and injury in assisted living facility. Perhaps the biggest factor is the lack of “assistance” in the ALF when it is needed. As an experienced assisted living facility abuse lawyer, I assess cases based on liability and damages. Did the staff fail to do something that should have been done to protect a resident? Did the resident suffer some serious harm as a result of that failure, act or omission?
Florida law permits a lawsuit to be filed against the negligent operators of the assisted living facility along with any management or consulting companies that may have played a role in allowing the harm and injury to occur. When these companies know that a certain action is required to protect their residents, but fail to act nevertheless, that conscious failure to take action falls within the definition of “abuse.”
Falls Causing Fractures and Serious Injuries in Assisted Living Facility are Mostly Preventable with Proper Care, Close Monitoring of Changes in Resident Health and Sufficient Staffing
Most people are shocked to learn that falling and suffering a major injury is the number one cause of death for people over the age of 65 in the United States. For this reason, I am always nagging at my own mother to be careful and to watch her step wherever she goes. New and unfamiliar surroundings can pose the greatest risk for falls and injury. Changes in prescription medication can lead to side effects that increase the risk of falling. If your loved one has a history of falling at home, be sure to make staff at the assisted living facility aware of this — preferably in writing.
Questions concerning a loved one at Village Place Retirement or the neglect, abuse or injury of a resident occurring at another Florida assisted living facility?
Admitting a loved one to an assisted living facility or nursing home can be a stress-filled occasion. You want to feel like you are making the best choice. I recommend that you cross out and refuse to sign any admission agreement that contains the word “Arbitration.” If you have questions about a particular assisted living facility, including Village Place Retirement, or a nursing home, please feel free to give me a call. I provide a free, confidential consultation. (941) 485-7600. James Edwin Keim Florida Assisted Living Facility Abuse Lawyer. Our office is located at 4140 Woodmere Park Blvd., Suite 4, Venice, Florida. We represent victims and families in cases of assisted living abuse and nursing home abuse involving injury, wrongful death and damages. Serving Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port, Sarasota, Venice, Englewood, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and surrounding communities in Florida. Photographs and text copyright James Edwin Keim © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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