Mariner Health Care, a company operating multiple facilities across California, has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by local county prosecutors and the State of California. The lawsuit alleged that the company neglected the medical care and hygiene needs of vulnerable patients, exposing them to physical and sexual assaults. Under the terms of the settlement, Mariner Health Care has agreed to pay up to $15.5 million if it fails to comply with patient safety and staffing level requirements.
The settlement comes after an investigation by California’s Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, along with the district attorneys of Alameda, Marin, Santa Cruz, and Los Angeles counties. The lawsuit, filed in Alameda County Superior Court, accused Mariner of understaffing its facilities, resulting in harm to residents. It also claimed that the company unsafely discharged patients and submitted false staffing numbers to inflate its rating on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Five-Star Quality Rating System for nursing homes.
According to the press release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office, the inadequate care provided by Mariner Health Care led to unnecessary amputations, the spread of diseases such as lice and pests among residents, and a high number of unreported sexual assault cases. Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price’s office added that issues at Mariner facilities included infected bedsores, falls, and disease outbreaks.
In a separate case involving Mariner’s Parkview Healthcare Center nursing home in Hayward, five residents and five family members of deceased patients filed a lawsuit in October 2021. The lawsuit alleged that staff shortages were at the root of the problems and held the facility and Mariner responsible for deaths and patient abuse. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 111 residents at the facility contracted the virus, resulting in 18 deaths.
The settlement with the state and county district attorneys requires Mariner Health Care to adhere to state and federal laws regarding patient discharge plans, timely notification of impending discharges, reporting abuse and neglect, and providing adequate staffing. The company is also prohibited from providing false or misleading information to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
1 Response
While it is commendable that Mariner Health Care has reached a settlement in the lawsuit, it is important to consider the potential negative consequences of such a resolution. Settlements often allow companies to avoid admitting any wrongdoing or taking responsibility for their actions. This can perpetuate a culture of negligence and disregard for the well-being of residents in their facilities.
Additionally, settlements may not provide sufficient compensation for the victims or adequately address the underlying issues that led to the lawsuit. By accepting a settlement, Mariner Health