Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon is a large 350 bed assisted living facility located at 5617 NW 7 Street, Miami, Florida 33126. The facility, which promises an affordable home with assisted living services that allows older adults to live in a safe, caring, and supportive environment while maintaining their dignity, independence, and purpose. has been operated by Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon, Inc. since September 1993. The facility has been fine twice in the past three years by the Agency for Health Care Administration (“AHCA”).
In addition to AHCA citations for violations of state and federal regulations, Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon has been the subject of several lawsuits alleging negligence. A summary of the most recent negligent cases is provided below.
Lawsuits Against Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon Alleging Resident Care Negligence
Estate of Franco v. Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon, Inc., d/b/a Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon
Allegations: According to the lawsuit filed against Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon alleging assisted living facility negligence, Ms. Franco suffered from cognitive impairment and unsteady gait, making her a fall risk. Ms. Franco allegedly suffered multiple falls at Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon, including a catastrophic fall that contributed to her wrongful death.
Maria Elena Marange as Personal Representative of the Estate of Digna Dieguez v. Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon, Inc., d/b/a Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon
Allegations: According to the Complaint, Ms. Digna Dieguez was a resident at Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon which failed to prevent her from falling and suffering injuries. As a result of the facility’s negligence, the Complaint alleged that Ms. Dieguez suffered injuries, loss of dignity, aggravation of existing diseases or physical defect, and consequently died on December 5, 2015. This lawsuit against Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon resolved before trial.
Monica Acosta as Next Friend of Ines C. Gomez v. Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon, Inc. d/b/a Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon
Allegations: The Complaint alleges that while Ms. Ines C. Gomez was a resident at Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon, she suffered a significant fall that resulted in a fractured ankle. The Complaint sought damages for the injury, pain and suffering, loss of capacity to enjoy life, discomfort, and medical expenses related to the injury. This lawsuit against Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon resolved before trial.
Survey Citations at Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon Assisted Living Facility in Miami
In addition, a summary of the most recent regulation violation citations issued to the Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon by AHCA is summarized below. The violations show that the facility may present a risk of harm to its residents through its negligent care.
April 22, 2022 Survey at Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon
During this biennial re-licensure and complaint investigation, the State found multiple violations at Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon resulting in a 22 page citation.
Standard Statement of Deficiencies dated 7/30/2019 at Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon
During this routine inspection, ACHA found that two staff members lacked documentation that they had been cleared as having no signs or symptoms of communicable diseases. In addition, another staff member had not been provided with introductory training regarding resident’s rights. The same staff member also lacked training regarding elopement, reporting adverse incidents, and facility emergency procedures. This indicates that the staff member would not be aware of resident’s rights, would not be able to recognize when a resident’s rights had been violated, nor be able to properly report any incidents of neglect or abuse. Three other staff members lacked documentation that they had received initial training regarding the limited mental health services offered by the facility.
Even more concerningly, the surveyor found that two residents had incomplete records. One resident’s report had missing sections such as the dietary requirements for the resident. Nor had that resident’s assessment been updated to show a change in that resident’s condition. Another resident’s health assessment did not accurately reflect his condition.
Finally, one bathroom had peeling paint on the wall and the bathroom in another resident’s room had black stains on the ceiling.
Standard Statement of Deficiencies dated 7/14/2017 at Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon
The surveyor found that the assisted living facility failed to provide appropriate care for one resident out of the 17 sampled. In this resident’s case, the surveyor noted a strong odor and found the resident lying with soiled sheets and a used incontinence pad on the floor. A staff member stated that the resident had been changed earlier and that she needed constant changing. In addition, the resident’s health assessment form was not properly updated for this particular resident and one other resident.
The assisted living facility also failed to keep medications locked at all times, as a medication cream was situated on a resident’s dresser.
In addition, one staff member had not received training with regard to one subject matter, and that another employee who worked in the kitchen had not received training in Nutrition and Food Service.
Structurally, one resident had spoiled food in his refrigerator and garbage on the floor, and one of the elevators was out of order. Furthermore, one resident’s records lacked documentation regarding guardianship, surrogate, or proxy. Finally, the facility did not submit an incident report within fifteen days as required, when a resident eloped and did not return as he should have.
Complaint Statement of Deficiencies dated 10/28/2016 at Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon
In this survey which was initiated by a complaint received by AHCA, two residents had incomplete records regarding their current status. Another resident who was required to be assisted with meals and given thicker liquids stated upon interview that she had eaten by herself, as she did every day. Water observed next to the resident had not been thickened and staff confirmed that they did not thicken the water prior to giving it to the resident, despite the fact that she was at risk of choking.
Another resident had been found on the floor and checked for cuts and bruises.
Nor did the facility ensure that changes made by third parties to meet resident needs were properly documented. This was evident for one resident who had medications in his refrigerator labeled “by home health” and doctor’s orders regarding the medication dosage also noted “by home health.” These changes had not been reflected in the resident’s medication orders.
Facility staff also failed to fill out Medication Observation Records (MOR) when residents self-administered medication, nor did the facility report to residents’ health care providers or document when medication was refused. For example, one resident was to have a medicated shampoo applied every other day. The shampoo was not on the medicine cart, and the MOR was not initialed for several dates. Staff stated that the resident applies it in the shower. The same resident had refused medication on a daily basis for a period of time which was reflected in his medical record. However, his MOR was initialed for that same period as if he had been taking his medication.
Finally, prescription and over-the-counter medication was not centrally stored as required, and that labeling was inaccurate. One resident had refused medication but the MOR indicated that it had been taken. The Healthcare Supervisor stated that they do not document when residents refuse medication until a month has passed and after the third day of refusals, the facility will call the doctor.
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If you or a loved one is a resident at Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon, or any other Florida facility, and has experienced negligent care, contact our Miami nursing home abuse attorneys. Our team at the Senior Justice Law Firm may be able to help you with your case.
Disclaimer
*The above does not mean your loved one would be in harm at this facility. Each facility gets inspected often. Almost all facilities have deficiencies. Many face civil lawsuits. You should not make a facility placement decision based solely on the above information. Each case is different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome or indicate an expected outcome on your particular case. The above prior lawsuit information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice from an attorney. This individual case information above is publicly filed information gathered from the publicly filed complaint. This information and these cases are not the work of this law firm. The inspection results are provided from public government agency surveys. The state Department of Health conducts a survey of all nursing home facilities at least once every 15 months. The deficiencies listed on this page may have been corrected after the date of the inspection and date of publishing this material. Citations, ratings and deficiencies are current as of the date of this post and will change later on. The inspection findings published are not complete. You may find the most up to date information at medicare.gov. This material is not endorsed by the facility or by any governmental agency. Speak with an attorney immediately if you believe you have a viable case against a nursing home, assisted living facility or medical facility.
