The daughter of a Chico woman who died in 2014 from stage five kidney failure has filed a wrongful death suit against Windsor Chico Creek Care & Rehab. The nursing home is being accused of dependent adult abuse and neglect, wrongful death and violation of patient's bill of rights.
Jamie Torres, one of Librada Torres’ two daughters, filed the complaint against Windsor Chico Creek on Nov. 2, 2015.
The suit claims that the nursing home was “intentionally underfunded and understaffed," and that the business was prioritizing profit over its patients. An example provided in the suit claims that Torres' eating patterns were not monitored by Windsor Chico Creek staff, which resulted in a severe drop in her nutritional health. She was subsequently sent to an acute care hospital, claimed the Torres family. These claims coupled together, the Torres family says, created an unsafe environment for Librada which resulted in her death.
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| Chico courthouse where the civil case will take place. |
The defendants go on to claim that the damages suffered by Torres were caused by direct acts of the Torres family. This is in reference to a Torres family member removing a fecal impaction, dried stool stuck in the anus. Since this was not done by a professional it could have caused unwarranted pain and infection.
The Torres family has stated that a family member performed the act because no staff personnel was present to remove the impaction.
The Torres family has stated that a family member performed the act because no staff personnel was present to remove the impaction.
The Torres family is suing for Torres death, punitive damages, cost of the suit, attorney fees, and whatever else “the Court deems just and proper.”
The case will be presented in front of judge. Michael Candela on May 6.
-- By James Groh