Skilled Health Care Faces $670 Million in Damages over Nursing Home Violations

Los Angeles, CA: A jury in Humboldt County has ordered California-based Skilled Healthcare Group to pay $670 million in damages, as settlement in a class action suit alleging nursing home staffing violations.

Specifically, the suit alleges that the company understaffed its 22 assisted living facilities in California, and the jury agreed, finding that Skilled Healthcare had violated the California Health and Safety Code, which requires nursing homes to maintain 3.2 nursing hours per patient per day.

The settlement represents the maximum amount of damages that can be imposed for violating the state's statutes, plus $58 million in restitution. However, the jury will decide next week whether the company should also pay punitive damages.

According to one attorney representing the plaintiffs, the lack of staffing put patients at risk, and as he told the LA Times, "Call lights don't get answered, persons don't get proper hygiene, persons don't get their medications on time or the care they need."

Skilled Healthcare plans to appeal the decision.