Case: CRIPA Investigation of the Laguna Honda Hospital, San Francisco, CA

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Case Summary

On February 7, 1997, the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an investigation under the Civil Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1997, into conditions at the Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in San Francisco, California. On May 6, 1998, the Department issued a report on its findings. The officials found, upon review of medical records, interviews, and on-site surveys, that the Center's conditions violated the residents' constitutional rights. The Center pro…

On February 7, 1997, the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an investigation under the Civil Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1997, into conditions at the Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in San Francisco, California. On May 6, 1998, the Department issued a report on its findings. The officials found, upon review of medical records, interviews, and on-site surveys, that the Center's conditions violated the residents' constitutional rights. The Center provided inadequate health care services, particularly nursing and specialized rehabilitative services, and inadequate activities and stimulation for residents. The findings also concluded that the Center also made inappropriate use of physical restraints; failed to protect residents from harm; and failed to provide a safe and adequate living environment. Finally, the Center failed to serve residents in the most integrated setting suitable to their needs.

The report recommended changes, including improved supervision and management programs, especially regarding abuse and neglect; and enhanced health care access. Furthermore, the report recommended additional activities and stimulation; increased number of staff and better training for them; and the termination of use of bedrails except where ordered by physicians.

On June 13, 2008, DOJ entered into a comprehensive settlement agreement with the City of San Francisco to addressing outstanding deficiencies at the Center. The agreement required the City to address the DOJ's findings, in part, by developing a rich network of community homes and programs that serve hundreds of former residents of the Center as well as an unquantifiable number of persons who likely who have have been admitted to an institutional setting like the Center but for the newly-established community network.

According to a spreadsheet on CRIPA matters shared by the DOJ, the matter was finally closed in the summer of 2011; the city matter on July 18, the state matter on August 12.

Summary Authors

Laura Uberti (6/18/2006)

Jessica Kincaid (3/29/2015)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Acosta, R. Alexander (District of Columbia)

Becker, Grace Chung (District of Columbia)

Boyd, Ralph F. Jr. (District of Columbia)

Brown Cutlar, Shanetta Y. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Farano, Richard J. (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Findings Letter re: CRIPA Investigation of the Laguna Honda Hospital, San Francisco, CA

CRIPA Investigation

May 6, 1998

May 6, 1998

Findings Letter/Report

Findings Letter re: Investigation of Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center

April 1, 2003

April 1, 2003

Findings Letter/Report

Findings Letter Re: Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, San Francisco, California

CRIPA Investigation of the Laguna Honda Hospital, San Francisco, CA

Aug. 3, 2004

Aug. 3, 2004

Findings Letter/Report

Settlement Agreement

June 13, 2008

June 13, 2008

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:49 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Nursing Home Conditions

Special Collection(s):

Olmstead Cases

Key Dates

Closing Date: 2011

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Department of Public Health of the City and County of San Francisco, County

Laguna Honda Hospital (San Francisco), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Order Duration: 2008 - 2011

Issues

General:

Individualized planning

Rehabilitation

Restraints : chemical

Restraints : physical

Sanitation / living conditions

Disability and Disability Rights:

Integrated setting

Least restrictive environment

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run