$116 Million Claimed In New Medford Drug Diversion Case Lawsuit
MEDFORD, Ore — In the case involving Dani Marie Schofield, a former Asante nurse accused of administering tap water to patients instead of fentanyl, another lawsuit was filed against Medford’s Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center (RRMC) on September 6. Schofield is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
See also: Civil Case Against Former Asante Nurse Stayed Pending Outcome Of Criminal Trial.
New Lawsuit Against Asante
The Jackson County Circuit Court records indicate that an attorney for 63-year-old Candi Kay Palomares alleges that Schofield diverted fentanyl prescribed to Palomares for severe respiratory distress- the underlying reason for her admission to Asante’s intensive care unit, on March 26, 2023.
Palomares’ is claiming $116 million for pain and suffering, as well as future medical expenses and lost wages.
The suit claims that blood test results revealed infections in Palomares on March 31, 2023. She was a mobile home park manager in Brookings at the time but by April 3, 2023, she suffered from sepsis-induced brain dysfunction.
An Asante patient safety representative posted a notice online on April 14 2023 about what Asante called “water quality rumors.”
The notice indicated that bacteria can be common in any water supply, but when used for vulnerable patient care, it could be harmful. It continued, saying, “That’s one reason why we check our water source regularly and have precautions in place to prevent waterborne infections.”
Attorney In Medford Drug Diversion Lawsuit Alleges Asante Was Negligent
In court papers, Attorney Bruce Nishioka argues that Asante acted with negligence by failing to prevent what he termed “the foreseeable diversion of fentanyl.” The papers indicate that Palomares can no longer work and lost her home as it was one of the benefits of managing the mobile home park.
In June, a grand jury indicted Schofield on accusations of harming 44 patients and she now faces 44 counts of second-degree assault for “intentionally or knowingly” causing serious injury to these people.
No allegations of homicide are made on the indictment even though civil lawyers representing the estates of some of Schofield’s former patients at least eight of those listed on the indictment are dead.
An Asante spokesperson declined to comment on this suit.