A lawsuit filed in Pinellas County Circuit Court alleges that a nursing home resident suffered preventable injuries and ultimately died as a result of negligent care at a facility operated by three companies. The complaint was submitted on March 16, 2026, by the Estate of Chri Collins through James Collins, the personal representative, naming Highlands Blvd Opco, LLC; Aspire Healthcare, LLC; and Aviata Health Group as defendants.
According to the filing, the case centers on alleged violations of Florida Statutes Chapter 400 during Chri Collins’s residency at the defendants’ nursing home located at 2600 Highlands Blvd N in Palm Harbor. The plaintiff claims that all conditions precedent to bringing the action have been met or waived and that the suit is within the applicable statute of limitations. The complaint asserts that each defendant—referred to as Licensee (Highlands Blvd Opco), Management (Aspire Healthcare), and Corporate (Aviata Health Group)—was responsible for operating or managing the facility and owed a duty to provide reasonable care to residents.
The document outlines that Chri Collins was admitted to the facility due to ongoing medical conditions and cognitive changes, which made him vulnerable and dependent on staff for daily living activities. The plaintiff states that during his stay, Collins was at risk for preventable injuries such as skin breakdown, falls, infection, malnutrition, and dehydration. Despite this vulnerability, it is alleged that “Defendants by and through their staff, negligently failed to provide the required reasonable care, supervision, and assistance.”
As described in the complaint, these failures allegedly resulted in injuries including dehydration, acute metabolic encephalopathy, acute hypoxic respiratory failure, pressure injuries to multiple areas including coccyx and feet. The document states: “The aforementioned injuries plagued RESIDENT until his death on December 12, 2025.”
The estate argues that these events constitute both wrongful death under Florida law as well as survival claims should it be determined that not all injuries directly caused Collins’s death. Damages sought include “any and all damages available under the wrongful death statute; medical bills and expenses; funeral expenses; loss of net accumulations,” along with compensation for mental pain suffered by survivors due to loss of companionship.
In detailed counts against each defendant—Licensee (Highlands Blvd Opco), Management (Aspire Healthcare), Corporate (Aviata Health Group)—the plaintiff lists numerous alleged breaches of duty such as failing to prevent physical injury or abuse; failing to assess or treat skin breakdowns; inadequate response to infections; lack of proper supervision; failure to maintain hygiene; not informing family members about serious changes in condition; insufficient nutrition or hydration; not following physician’s orders; failing to appropriately staff or train employees; improper budgeting; lacking necessary policies or procedures; not providing medication when required; among others.
Each count asserts: “The above negligence occurred from the actions and omissions of employees, agents and apparent agents… while in the course and scope of their employment.” As a direct result of these actions or omissions by staff under each defendant’s authority or control, it is claimed that Chri Collins wrongfully died.
In addition to wrongful death claims against all three entities named as defendants for their respective roles in operating or managing the facility, separate survival claims are asserted should some damages be found unrelated directly to cause of death but instead linked with pain and suffering prior to passing.
For relief, the estate demands judgment for damages against each defendant individually along with requests for jury trials on all triable issues.
The complaint is signed by attorneys Samantha A Harris Esq., Senior Justice Law Firm (Florida Bar No.: 1025455), located at 7700 Congress Ave., Suite 3216 Boca Raton FL 33487. Contact information includes phone number (561) 717-0817 and email addresses eservice@SeniorJustice.com, Samantha@seniorjustice.com. The case number is 26-001642-CI.
Source: 26001642CI_Estate_of_Chri_Collins_v_Highlands_Blvd_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
