Fines Against Westminster Towers
Located at 70 West Lucerne Circle, Orlando, Florida 32801, Westminster Towers is a not-for-profit nursing home that offers a total of 120 beds. The facility is owned by Presbyterian Retirement Communities, Inc. and has been fined by the Agency for Health Care Administration.
In addition, several lawsuits alleging Orlando nursing home negligence have been filed against Presbyterian Retirement Communities, Inc. Some recent cases are summarized below.
Deborah Wood, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Donald Carnahan v. Presbyterian Retirement Communities, Inc., d/b/a Westminster Towers
Allegations: The Complaint states that Donald Carnahan was a resident of Westminster Towers when he suffered a preventable fall that resulted in serious injuries, including a subdural hemorrhage. Mr. Carnahan died as a result of the blunt force head injury from the trauma. The Complaint alleged that the fall was due to the negligence of the staff at the facility.
David Thomas, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Gladys Thomas v. Presbyterian Retirement Communities, Inc., d/b/a Westminster Towers
Allegations: The Complaint states that Gladys Thomas was a resident at the facility in 2016 when she suffered a fall. Ms. Thomas fractured her femur and spine, which required that she undergo surgery, and died as a result.
Charles E. Willis v. Presbyterian Retirement Communities, Inc., d/b/a Westminster Towers
Allegations: According to the Complaint, Charles E. Willis was admitted as a resident of Westminster Towers since 2012. Pre-dating his admission into the facility, Mr. Willis depended heavily on Ms. Allison Moss who provided companionship and looked after Mr. Willis’ day to day care. Even while at Westminster Towers, the Complaint alleges, Ms. Moss continued to visit and care for Mr. Willis as the facility did not adequately monitor his health. However, the facility stopped Ms. Moss from visiting and continuing to provide care for Mr. Willis after she allegedly wrote a negative post regarding Westminster Towers after witnessing an incident between a resident and a staff member in a public place. Shortly after Ms. Moss was barred from the facility, Mr. Willis was rushed to the hospital suffering from sepsis, severe pressure sores, inflamed gums from poor dental care, and dehydration.
Attorney Disclaimer
*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 contents of this website should not be construed as legal advice on any specific fact or circumstance. Your receipt of such information does not create an attorney-client relationship with this law firm or any of its lawyers. You should not act or rely on any of the information contained herein without seeking professional legal advice. Speak with an attorney immediately if you believe you have a viable case against a nursing home, assisted living facility or medical facility.
The facility has also been cited by AHCA for regulation violations. A summary of the three most recent citations is provided below:
Complaint Statement of Deficiencies dated 4/29/2019
During this survey, a resident was found to have been admitted for short term care. She had suffered an infection to a wound on her right leg but told her private sitter that she was experiencing left leg pain. This information was related to the resident’s family, who reported it to a doctor who then informed the facility. The resident also complained of left hip pain to a nurse and a X-ray was conducted which showed an injury. However, the facility did not report this incident of serious bodily injury of unknown origin to law enforcement or adult services, immediately or within 2 hours of the discovery of the injury.
Standard Statement of Deficiencies dated 10/18/2018
During a standard survey, the surveyor found that a resident has several dark purple bruises on her upper extremities, such as the top of her hand and multiple large bruises on her forearm and a skin tear on her other forearm. The resident’s spouse was in the room and stated that he was unsure what occurred as he had not been present, but assumed something had happened while the staff were repositioning her or moving her.
Upon inquiry, a Certified Nursing Assistant told the surveyor that the resident had fallen from her bed while care was being provided. However, the resident’s daughter-in-law believed that she had been beaten or fell out of bed. After receiving another call from another family member alleging abuse, it was found that the resident’s injuries did not match the incident reports and she had new bruises. Two CNAs were consequently suspended due to the incident but one was permitted to return to work the following day.
The surveyor also found that the facility did not comply with federal regulations in that the Admission Agreement waived the facility’s responsibility to replace resident’s money or personal items.
The facility also failed to ensure that medication regimens for residents were free of unnecessary medications as it did not record the rationale behind extending a prescription for antipsychotic medication past fourteen days. In one resident’s case, the medical records indicated that the medication regimen should be changed to discontinue anti-anxiety medicine. However, staff had failed to follow the physician’s orders.
Finally, while the facility’s policy is to post signs outside a resident’s room who needs to be in isolation due to an infection, one nurse found that a resident was in isolation from speaking to other nurses, not from any signs posted outside the resident’s door. Alarmingly, the Director of Nursing was not aware the resident was in isolation and could not explain why the appropriate signs had not been posted outside the resident’s door.
Fire/Life/Safety Statement of Deficiencies dated 10/15/2018
In an annual life safety survey, AHCA found that the facility did not have a cooling plan that would maintain the temperature of the facility in the event of a power outage. In addition, several doors did not properly latch, thereby presenting a danger against any possible fires.
Free Case Consultation: 407-698-3277
