A lawsuit filed in Pinellas County Circuit Court alleges that failures by a local nursing home operator and its management company resulted in the death of a former resident, raising questions about the care provided to vulnerable individuals in long-term care facilities. The Estate of Florence Stroessner, represented by Lee Brunngraber as personal representative, initiated the complaint on March 25, 2026, against Palm Garden of Largo, LLC doing business as Palm Garden of Largo, and Palm Healthcare Management, LLC.
According to court documents, Florence Stroessner was a resident at Palm Garden of Largo from approximately February 21, 2024 through March 20, 2024. The complaint states that she died on March 28, 2024. The plaintiff alleges that both defendants were responsible for the day-to-day operations at the facility and owed Stroessner a duty to exercise reasonable care under Florida Statute Section 400.023(5). The filing outlines that Palm Healthcare Management acted as either the management company or de facto licensee for Palm Garden of Largo and had control over staffing levels, budgeting, hiring decisions, and implementation of policies at the facility.
The complaint details several statutory duties allegedly owed to Stroessner under Florida Statutes Sections 400.022 and 400.023. These include providing adequate health care and support services; developing comprehensive assessments and care plans; promptly notifying family members and physicians about significant changes in health status; reporting unusual incidents; maintaining proper medical records; training staff; ensuring sufficient staffing with appropriate education; and protecting residents from foreseeable harm. The plaintiff asserts that these responsibilities were not met.
Specifically, it is alleged that “as a direct result” of breaches by the defendants—including inadequate care planning and failure to protect from harm—Stroessner developed an unstageable sacral pressure wound with osteomyelitis requiring debridement, an unstageable right heel pressure wound, severe infection and pneumonia with sepsis which ultimately led to her death. The complaint further claims these injuries caused physical pain, mental suffering, embarrassment, loss of dignity, extensive medical treatment needs, increased expenses for medical care and funeral costs.
The legal action includes two counts: one seeking damages for wrongful death under Chapter 400 of the Florida Statutes and the Florida Wrongful Death Act (Section 768.21), and another seeking survival damages pursuant to Section 46.021. In both counts, the estate argues that violations deprived Stroessner of her statutory rights as a nursing home resident.
The plaintiff requests all compensatory damages allowed by law against both defendants for deprivation of rights leading to injury and death. Relief sought includes compensation for medical expenses incurred before death as well as funeral costs paid by surviving family members. Additionally, the estate demands compensation for mental pain suffered by Stroessner’s daughter due to loss of comfort and guidance.
A Notification of Violation was sent by certified mail to both defendants on March 7, 2025—received on March 10th and March 11th respectively—as part of what plaintiff’s counsel describes as a good faith investigation into the merits of their claim.
The case was filed by attorney Thomas S. Harmon (Florida Bar No. 061352) with Harmon Parker P.A., located in Tampa. The Letters of Administration appointing Lee Brunngraber as personal representative were signed by Circuit Judge Sherwood Coleman on December 5th, 2024 (File No. 24-010382-ES). The case number is 26-001852-CI.
Source: 26001852CI_The_Estate_of_Florence_v_Palm_Garden_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
