BOCA RATON, FL — The estate of a woman who died shortly after leaving a Boca Raton-area rehabilitation center has filed a civil lawsuit alleging inadequate care during her seven-month stay contributed to her death, according to a complaint filed this week in Palm Beach County Circuit Court.
The complaint, filed July 8, 2026 in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, identifies Boca Circle Rehabilitation Center at 7225 Boca Del Mar Drive as the facility at issue and names the nursing home's licensed operator, related corporate entities, and two facility administrators as defendants. The case is styled The Estate of Barbara Ann Poitier, by and through Delshawn Smith-Parker, Personal Representative, v. Heartland Boca Opco LLC, et al., Case No. 502026CA007646XXXAMB, and has been assigned to Division AE.
According to the complaint, Barbara Ann Poitier was admitted to Boca Circle Rehabilitation Center on June 21, 2024 and remained there until her discharge on January 15, 2025. The filing states she died on January 25, 2025.
The plaintiff is represented by Kyle D. Ross of Mendes, Reins & Wilander, PLLC, based in Tampa. Delshawn Smith-Parker, one of Poitier's children, was appointed personal representative of the estate on November 3, 2025 in Miami-Dade County probate court, according to letters of administration attached to the complaint.
Named as defendants alongside the facility's licensed operator, Heartland Boca Opco LLC, are Heartland Boca Intermediate Opco Holdco LLC, Excelsior Care Group LLC, and Palm Beach Health Consulting LLC. The complaint alleges those companies operated, managed, or oversaw the facility. The lawsuit also names two administrators, Katherine Ellen Hilgar and Ellie Schutt. According to the complaint, Boca Circle Rehabilitation Center is a fictitious name owned by Heartland Boca Opco LLC.
The complaint brings six counts. Counts I through III allege non-lethal negligence, lethal negligence, and wrongful death, and are brought against all defendants. The lawsuit alleges the defendants failed to provide sufficient staffing, adequately monitor Poitier's condition, respond to changes in her physical signs and symptoms, or develop and implement an adequate care plan. The complaint claims those alleged failures caused injury and, ultimately, her death.
Count IV alleges breach of fiduciary duty against Heartland Boca Opco LLC. The complaint claims the operator accepted money intended for resident care but diverted funds through inter-company fees and transfers for the benefit of related entities.
Count V alleges aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty against Heartland Boca Intermediate Opco Holdco LLC, Excelsior Care Group LLC, and Palm Beach Health Consulting LLC. The lawsuit alleges those entities knowingly participated in the diversion of facility revenues.
Count VI alleges violations of Florida Statutes §415.1111, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, against the two individual administrators, Hilgar and Schutt. The complaint claims Poitier was a vulnerable adult and that the administrators failed or refused to effectively use her income or assets for her support and maintenance.
The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $50,000, disgorgement of profits, consequential damages, attorneys' fees and costs, pre-judgment interest, and a jury trial.
The complaint states that the plaintiff is not pursuing any COVID-19-related claims under sections 768.38 and 768.381 of the Florida Statutes.
The filing reviewed by Boca Post does not include a response from any of the defendants. The allegations described in the complaint are unproven and have not been tested in court.
Boca Post reviewed the complaint, The Estate of Barbara Ann Poitier v. Heartland Boca Opco LLC, et al., Case No. 502026CA007646XXXAMB, filed July 8, 2026 in Palm Beach County Circuit Court.
Learn more about nursing home negligence cases. Civil cases are filed daily in Palm Beach County courts. Boca Post documents many of those filings in its Boca Raton lawsuits coverage.
Your Side of the Story
Boca Post reports on civil filings, complaints, and public disputes based on official court records and public documents. A filing represents an allegation and does not constitute a finding of liability.
Individuals and businesses mentioned in coverage may submit a clearly labeled Sponsored Response to share their perspective. This is separate from our journalism and does not alter our reporting.
Factual errors are corrected free of charge.
