SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — The California Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Sweetwater Care, a San Diego-based nursing facility chain, accusing the company of failing to adequately staff its facilities, resulting in patient harm and violations of state laws governing minimum staffing levels.
The lawsuit targets Sweetwater’s 19 facilities across California, alleging that persistent understaffing has directly led to neglect and serious injuries for patients.
The chain, which provides skilled nursing care, is accused of not meeting the staffing requirements set by state law, putting vulnerable residents at risk.
The Allegations: Understaffing Leading to Neglect
According to the Attorney General’s Office, a Department of Justice investigation found that Sweetwater’s facilities were understaffed on more than 14,126 separate occasions between 2020 and 2024.
This alleged chronic understaffing resulted in numerous instances of patient neglect, including situations where patients with serious injuries, such as fractured bones, went days without medical care or assessment.
Additionally, the lawsuit claims that medical emergencies, including falls, went unaddressed due to insufficient staff, leaving patients without the necessary response or care.
The Attorney General’s Office contends that the lack of adequate staffing directly impacted the quality of care and the safety of residents at Sweetwater’s facilities.
The Attorney General’s Statement
California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed his frustration with Sweetwater’s actions, stating that the company violated the trust of the communities it served by failing to ensure the health and safety of its residents.
“Sweetwater and its skilled nursing facilities violated the law and betrayed the trust of communities by failing to safeguard the health and safety of its residents. This is simply unacceptable,” Bonta said in a statement. “The California Department of Justice will step in whenever the well-being of patients is at stake. With today’s lawsuit, we are holding Sweetwater accountable for breaking the law by understaffing its facilities and leaving residents vulnerable to serious neglect and injuries. No one is above the law, and our vulnerable patients deserve nothing less than dignity, safety, and high-quality care.”
Lawsuit Details: Violations of State Law
The lawsuit alleges that Sweetwater Care violated California’s Unfair Competition Law by failing to maintain adequate staffing levels. As a result, the Attorney General’s Office is seeking several remedies, including:
- Monetary penalties
- An injunction to prevent further violations of staffing laws
- Appointment of a compliance monitor to ensure Sweetwater meets required staffing levels in the future
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Sweetwater’s Response
As of now, Sweetwater Care has not issued a public response to the lawsuit. Representatives from the company were unavailable for immediate comment. The nursing chain is expected to mount a defense as the legal proceedings unfold.
What’s Next: Ongoing Investigation
The case highlights ongoing concerns about nursing home care in California, a state with a large and aging population. Understaffing has long been a challenge in the skilled nursing industry, and authorities are continuing to monitor facilities across the state for compliance with staffing laws.
The Attorney General’s Office has vowed to continue holding facilities accountable when patient well-being is compromised.
What Do You Think?
Do you believe that nursing home chains like Sweetwater should be held accountable for understaffing and patient neglect? Should stricter regulations be imposed on the industry? Share your thoughts in the comments below on RidgecrestPact.org.
