Cat Died While Being Groomed. Negligence?

Location: Florida, US

looking for advice on whether this situation is worth pursuing or if I’m overreacting.

My 10 year old indoor cat had chronic IBD (managed with steroids for years) and mild arthritis, but was otherwise stable playing, eating, and acting normal the night before/morning of.

A couple of days ago, I noticed matted fur on her back legs. Since brushing/trimming didn’t work, I booked a mobile groomer I had used once before. Before the appointment when handing him my can I verbally told him she was anxious, had IBD (vomits), and arthritis. I specifically said do not blow dry her, and if she resisted anything, to skip it. My only priority was removing the mats. He said he dosnt like returning wet cats, I said i understand but sh get really stressed.

Also important: I was not given or asked to sign any grooming consent/disclosure forms for this appointment. The only form I ever signed was about a year ago, which must include her rabies tag. That tag had expired. No one asked me for her new one and I didnt think about it till after.

About 25 minutes into the appointment, he sent two low quality short videos of her being rinsed and blow dried she wasn’t moving in either, which I thought was odd. He then texted right after she was almost done. About 30 seconds later, he called saying she was unresponsive.

I ran outside and found him attempting to revive her. She had dilated eyes, her tongue out, and a little vomit on her face. I could tell she was already gone.

Afterward, he said he “wished I told him she had medical issues,” even though I had. He also said she was “fighting him the whole time.” Was asking me whats on her face, it explained it was vomit. I just took her back home .

Later that day via text, he said he used a blinder on her (which I was never told about), and claimed she went unconscious after vomiting, he didnt know she vomited till I told him.

When I first got her inside I noticed:

Small bruising above her eye and in her ears

A small amount of blood in the vomit

Some mats still not removed

He also contradicted himself in txt (initially saying he didn’t notice vomiting, then later saying she vomited before collapsing).

When i called the company the appointment settter/admin was unaware of the incident, and all owners are currently “out of town.”

No response so far.

Sent certified mail and email to owners of a formal demand for the preservation of all evidence. This all happend yesterday, sent email yesterday evening sent mail today-pending

I understand cats can have underlying heart issues and die from stress, but I’m struggling with:

Ignoring my instruction not to blow dry

Continuing despite saying she was “fighting” him despite being told to skip anything causing stress

Using a blinder without my consent

Not recognizing distress sooner

No signed consent/disclosure for this visit

We’re considering a necropsy, but it’s expensive and the closest clinc is 3 hours away.

Am I overreacting, or does this sound like possible negligence worth pursuing?