A recent court filing reveals a harrowing account of alleged elder abuse and negligence at a Sacramento-based skilled nursing facility. On June 26, 2024, attorney Michael J. Farley filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California for the County of Sacramento against S.H.C.C. Inc., doing business as Sherwood Healthcare Center, and Maltique LLC.
The plaintiff, John Darden, alleges that after undergoing hip replacement surgery on June 29, 2022, he was transferred to Sherwood Healthcare Center for post-operative care. During his stay from July 4 to July 11, 2022, Darden claims he suffered severe mistreatment and neglect. According to the complaint, a certified nursing assistant at Sherwood recklessly mishandled Darden's leg during a routine repositioning exercise, causing a periprosthetic fracture in his newly replaced hip. "The Plaintiff heard the sound of a snap or crack and immediately cried out in pain," states the document.
Darden further alleges that despite his continuous complaints of pain following this incident, the staff at Sherwood failed to properly assess or treat his condition. Instead, they allegedly continued to administer Tylenol and prescription pain medications without investigating the cause of his discomfort. It wasn't until July 11 that medical personnel removed his PICO dressing and noted significant issues with his surgical site. He was then readmitted to Sutter Memorial Hospital where a CT scan confirmed the fracture.
The lawsuit accuses Sherwood Healthcare Center and Maltique LLC of elder abuse under Welfare & Institutions Code §15600 et seq., negligent hiring, training & supervision, and violation of patient rights under Health & Safety Code §1430(b). The plaintiff argues that these actions constitute "reckless neglect" and claims that Sherwood's management prioritized profit over patient care by employing insufficiently trained staff.
Darden is seeking compensatory damages for medical expenses exceeding $1 million, punitive damages for alleged reckless conduct by the defendants, attorneys' fees under Welfare & Institutions Code §15657(a), and statutory penalties for each violation of patient rights as stipulated by Health & Safety Code §1430(b).
Representing John Darden is attorney Michael J. Farley from Sacramento. The case has been assigned Case No. Ace WOTSsone in front of Judge [Name]. The defendants are yet to respond formally to these allegations.