Garcia, Artigliere & Medby Files Lawsuit Against Covenant Care California, LLC For Elder Abuse and Negligence

LONG BEACH – Elder abuse law firm Garcia, Artigliere & Medby, filed a lawsuit today against Covenant Care California, LLC (manager of Courtyard Healthcare Center in Davis), alleging elder abuse, negligence, assault and battery, as well as negligent hiring and supervision. Garcia, Artigliere & Medby filed the lawsuit on behalf of their client, Clara Cranford, who was physically assaulted while a patient at Courtyard Healthcare Center in Aliso Viejo, CA.

Mrs. Cranford’s injuries are a result of Courtyard Healthcare Center’s financial limitations forced upon by its directors. Had Courtyard Healthcare Center been diligent in conducting extensive pre-employment interviews, background checks and other employment processes, the dangerous and violent tendencies of the attacker and other unfit employees would have been apparent. 

“It appears that Courtyard Healthcare Center is focused on unlawfully increasing their earnings by cutting corners at every turn as opposed to providing the standard quality of care to their patients,” said founding partner Stephen M. Garcia.

Background

On March 4, 2014, Carla Cranford was admitted to Courtyard Healthcare Center for rehabilitation after a hip surgery. On March 22, when Mrs. Cranford’s family visited her, they learned that she had been physically assaulted by an employee at the facility. The employee allegedly went into her room and violently thrust her right leg, the same side on which Mrs. Cranford had undergone a hip replacement. The employee proceeded to punch her while she cried out for help.

Mrs. Cranford reported the incident to the next employee that entered her room and was told “not to worry” and that “it was taken care of and the attacker would not be allowed in the room anymore”. The very next day, Mrs. Cranford’s attacker delivered food and proceeded to feed her.

When asking to speak to the head nurse and for a copy of the report of the incident, Mrs. Cranford’s family was told they would receive a copy of the report before leaving that day. The facility’s dietician, claiming to be the manager, advised they had to follow protocol when asked by the family to call the police.  At which time, a family member proceeded to call the police herself. With a police officer present, the family asked for the report once again and was told there was no such report.

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Garcia, Artigliere & Medby is a national law firm with offices in California, Florida, Arizona, Washington and Kentucky focusing on litigation involving elder abuse and nursing home neglect.

California

One World Trade Center

Suite 1950

Long Beach, CA 90831

800.281.8515

Arizona

2575 Camelback Road

Phoenix, AZ 85016

800.281.8515

Florida

631 West Morse Boulevard

Suite 200

Winter Park, FL 32789

800.281.8515

Kentucky

220 West Main Street

Suite 2250

Louisville, KY 40202

800.281.8515

Washington

200 West Second Avenue West

Seattle, WA 98119

800.281.8515