Nursing Facility Accused of Elder Abuse After Resident Suffers Severe Injuries

By Northern California Record

A skilled nursing facility in California is facing serious allegations of elder abuse and negligence after a resident suffered severe injuries due to inadequate care. The complaint was filed by Virginia Estrada, through her successor in interest, Ester Baldwin, against O'Connor Woods Housing Corporation and Eskaton Properties, Inc., on July 24, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento.

According to the complaint, Virginia Estrada was admitted to Meadowood A Health & Rehabilitation Center on May 12, 2023. She required extensive assistance with daily activities due to chronic Type II diabetes mellitus. Despite knowing her medical needs, the defendants allegedly failed to provide adequate care. Estrada's condition deteriorated significantly during her stay at the facility from May 12 to May 16, 2023. On May 16, she was found unresponsive with low blood sugar levels and improperly administered oxygen.

The lawsuit details multiple instances where the facility's staff neglected Estrada's needs. For example, a licensed nurse gave her orange juice instead of the physician-ordered glucagon gel for low blood sugar and failed to notify her physician or recheck her blood sugar levels every 15 minutes as required. The California Public Health Department investigated these incidents and issued deficiencies against the facility for failing to meet professional standards of care.

Estrada's complaint accuses the defendants of understaffing and underfunding the facility to maximize profits at the expense of residents' health and safety. It alleges that this neglect led directly to Estrada's severe injuries and emotional trauma. The plaintiffs seek general and special damages, punitive damages for elder abuse claims, attorneys' fees, treble damages under applicable laws, and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.

The case is being handled by Stephen M. Garcia of Garcia & Artigliere law firm. The presiding judge is yet to be named under Case No. 24003014737.

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Nursing Facility Accused of Elder Abuse After Resident Suffers Severe Injuries