A jury on Thursday awarded $27.5 million to a former St. Mary Medical Center Long Beach chief nursing officer, finding hospital executives and parent company Dignity Health unlawfully retaliated against her and failed to accommodate her disability in violation of California law.
Nancy Valla, now 61, was hired in 2018. Her duties included overseeing patient safety at the hospital and she alleged in her Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit that she was forced out of her role after raising serious concerns about patient care and safety.
“This verdict sends a powerful message: retaliation and indifference to mental health in healthcare settings can’t be tolerated,” Valla’s attorney, David M. deRubertis, said after the verdict. “Nurses who speak up for patient safety should be valued and appreciated.”…