Top California Medical Malpractice Verdicts & Settlements of 2026

$110M Verdict in Assisted Living Neglect and Wrongful Death Case

Represented by: Dudensing Law

A Sacramento County jury awarded $110 million to the family of Mildred Hernandez, a 100-year-old assisted living resident who died after wandering outside her facility and being exposed to freezing conditions. Hernandez, who suffered from Alzheimer’s and was a known elopement risk, exited Greenhaven Estates through an unsecured area and was later found injured outside in 38-degree weather. She was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The verdict includes compensation for her pre-death suffering, wrongful death damages for her family, and significant punitive damages.

At trial, evidence showed the facility had a long history of operational failures and safety issues, which were known to its corporate owners, including private equity firm Formation Capital and REIT Colony Capital. Despite regulatory scrutiny and systemic deficiencies, the companies failed to implement necessary safeguards, prioritizing financial performance over resident care. The jury found their conduct amounted to malice, oppression, or fraud, highlighting broader concerns about how complex ownership structures in long-term care can contribute to lapses in accountability and patient safety.

$15.75M Verdict in Nursing Home Bedsore Neglect and Wrongful Death Case

Represented by: Dudensing Law, Buckley Law

A Solano County jury awarded $15.75 million to the family of Ruby Evans, a 96-year-old woman who developed a severe pressure ulcer during a one-week stay at Windsor Vallejo Care Center in 2019. Evans, who had been admitted following a stroke and was identified as high risk for bedsores, was supposed to be regularly repositioned and monitored. Instead, she developed a painful Stage 3 bedsore on her lower back and buttocks, which worsened after discharge and contributed to her suffering until her death in October 2019.

At trial, attorneys argued that the facility falsified medical records and concealed the severity of Evans’ condition from her family, while operating with chronic understaffing driven by profit motives. The jury found the facility, its owner, and its management company liable, awarding both compensatory and punitive damages. Evidence also showed a history of regulatory violations and poor care conditions at the facility, reinforcing claims that systemic neglect and inadequate oversight led to Evans’ injuries and ultimate death.

$11.6M Settlement in Surgical Error and Amputation Malpractice Case

Represented by: Robinson Calcagnie

An electrician was awarded nearly $11.6 million in a settlement with the University of California Board of Regents after losing his leg following routine knee surgery at UC Irvine Medical Center. During the procedure, the surgeon allegedly severed a major artery and then left the state the next day, despite signs of serious complications. In the hours that followed, the patient exhibited clear symptoms of vascular distress, but necessary diagnostic tests were reportedly delayed or canceled, allowing his condition to worsen and ultimately resulting in amputation.

The lawsuit further alleged that the surgeon prioritized outside business commitments over patient care and that the hospital failed to intervene appropriately. Additional claims included the destruction of key surgical video evidence after litigation became foreseeable and misrepresentations regarding billing for corrective procedures. The case underscores concerns about physician oversight, hospital accountability, and the handling of critical post-operative complications.

Conclusion

The significant verdicts and settlements emerging across California in 2026 reflect an increasing focus on accountability in both healthcare and long-term care settings. From fatal assisted living failures and preventable nursing home injuries to serious surgical errors, these cases illustrate how lapses in oversight, staffing, and clinical judgment can lead to devastating outcomes for patients and their families. They also highlight the broader role that corporate ownership structures and operational decisions can play in shaping the quality of care.