Fired Nurse Alleges Retaliation After Reporting Resident’s Maggot-Infested Wound

A Florida registered nurse with 35 years of experience is suing a Boca Raton nursing home, claiming she was fired in retaliation for reporting a resident whose infected leg wound had become infested with live maggots after going unwashed for weeks.

Nuella Joseph, employed as a medical records coordinator at Boca Raton Rehabilitation Center, filed suit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court in January 2026 against FI-Boca Raton, LLC (case #50-2026-CA-000730-XXXA-MB). The lawsuit alleges violations of Florida’s Private Whistleblower Act (§§ 448.101–448.104) and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The complaint does not specify a damages amount.

Joseph began working at the facility in January 2025. According to the amended complaint, she quickly observed troubling conditions — staff openly acknowledging a lack of infection-control supplies during morning meetings, while management required staff to recite a written pledge of “dignity, accountability, and patient-centered care” during morning meetings.

The complaint centers on a 62-year-old male resident with a documented history of stasis ulcers requiring regular wound care. Court filings allege the Director of Nursing, Karen McKoy, and facility Administrator, Kirkland Rodney, referred to the resident as “just plain nasty” and said he smelled like “rotten meat” during staff meetings — while discussing transferring him to another facility before the upcoming Annual State Survey rather than escalating his care.

On February 20, 2025, Joseph clocked out after her shift and contacted on-duty staff out of concern for the resident, who told her he had not had a shower in weeks. The following morning, she assisted him with a shower and found a severe wound on his right leg containing live maggots and necrotic tissue. His clothing had adhered to his skin and had to be cut off.

When Joseph asked whether photographs should be taken for documentation, the Director of Nursing reportedly replied, “I don’t want no picture here, man!” The DON then turned to the resident and said: “Actually O.R., the maggots are somehow doing you very good service for they have been sucking up all the necrotic dead tissues. Have you ever heard of Maggots Therapy, sir?”

Joseph reported her findings internally, advocated for hospital transfer at a Quality Assurance meeting on March 5, and separately reported pest infestations — including termites and roaches in patient areas — to management. When she presented physical evidence of the infestations, the administrator allegedly instructed her to discard it.

On March 20, 2025, Joseph was issued a disciplinary notice accusing her of “gossiping, spreading negativity, and creating safety concerns for the DON.” She experienced a panic attack during the meeting and was fired later that same day — 27 days after her most recent internal report and shortly before the Annual State Survey.

Approximately two months later, the resident died while still in the facility’s care. The complaint alleges his death was a direct result of untreated wounds, infection, and the facility’s failure to transfer him for higher-level care.

The amended complaint includes photographs described as having been taken during a state survey. The images show a collapsed kitchen ceiling with debris falling into a commercial sink, a staff group text documenting a severe hallway water leak, mold on an AC unit, and what the complaint describes as unsanitary conditions in a patient bathroom.

The complaint also notes that Joseph wrote a “Whistleblower Article” documenting her concerns — a document the defense has disclosed it possesses and may use in litigation.

The facility has moved twice to dismiss the case, arguing that Joseph raised internal “concerns” rather than explicitly invoking specific laws or regulations — a standard required under a 2024 Florida appellate ruling (Gessner v. Southern Company, Fla. 1st DCA 2024). The defense also argues the conduct alleged does not meet Florida’s high legal bar for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Plaintiff’s attorneys countered by citing healthcare-specific cases in which similar internal objections survived dismissal, arguing the complaint identifies specific federal and Florida statutes governing nursing home care — including 42 CFR Part 483 and Florida Statute § 400.022 — and that the cumulative conduct, from the maggot-infested wound to the retaliatory firing on the eve of a state inspection, clears the legal threshold when viewed as a whole. The court had not yet ruled on the motion as of late April 2026.

The facility said it reported all allegations to the appropriate governmental agencies, which conducted an on-site review and did not verify the claims. In a statement to CBS12 News, Boca Raton Rehabilitation Center said: “Due to Resident privacy concerns, we are unable to provide any details at this time… The trained healthcare professionals at Boca Raton Health and Rehab Center strive to provide the highest quality of care and are committed to the safety and well-being of our residents. Boca Raton Health and Rehab Center have been serving the community for over 50 years.”

Following her termination, Joseph says she lost steady employment, received an eviction notice in June 2025, and lost her vehicle. She reports persistent insomnia, nightmares, and intrusive recollections — describing vivid images when she closes her eyes and ongoing guilt over the resident’s suffering and death. Joseph, who previously provided nursing care to earthquake victims in Haiti, states in the complaint she had never encountered a condition comparable to what she witnessed.

Nurses who believe they have witnessed violations in their workplace can find guidance on whistleblower protections and reporting options at Nurse.org.

This article is based on allegations contained in court filings in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, Case No. 50-2026-CA-000730-XXXA-MB. The defendant has denied the claims. Nurse.org will update this article with additional information about the case as it proceeds through court.

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