TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A developmentally disabled woman has filed a lawsuit against the Sunrise Community in Tallahassee after suffering severe burns and neglect while in their care.
Katrina Marggraff, through her mother, Tina, is suing Sunrise Community for negligence and abuse. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday by Morgan & Morgan.
The complaint alleges that Katrina Marggraff was severely burned in January 2018 when Sunrise Community nurse Elizabeth McDonald placed Marggraff in a scalding shower without checking the water temperature. The document says McDonald, who was later fired, then tried to conceal the burns.
Hours passed before other Sunrise Community employees realized the extent of Marggraff's injuries and took action, the complaint alleges.
The document alleges that second- and third-degree burns covered parts of Marggraff's entire body and have caused her permanent scarring and tremendous pain.
Taken first to Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Marggraff was airlifted to Shands Hospital in Gainesville and remained there for nearly a month.
Tina Marggraf said she wants to ensure nothing like this occurs again at Sunrise Community.
"Seeing your child in pain is something no parent should have to experience, and to have our daughter suffer abuse and neglect from the very people supposed to care for her has just been heartbreaking," the mother said.
The family's attorney, Spencer L. Payne, said Marggraff received unconscionable care at Sunrise Community.
"Not only does it appear Sunrise Community failed to provide a safe and nurturing environment, but also traumatized a vulnerable and disabled young woman, causing her tremendous pain and suffering from which she’ll never fully recover," he said.
On Jan. 17, 2018, Marggraff's mother reported the abuse to the Leon County Sheriff's Office. After an investigation, McDonald was arrested and charged with harming Marggraff through negligence.
McDonald, who entered a plea of not guilty, has a case management hearing set for July 17.
