Prosecutors Reach Settlement with Loma Linda over Waste Disposal Violations

RIVERSIDE (CNS) - A lawsuit against Loma Linda University Health
stemming from alleged improper disposal of hazardous waste and confidential
medical records was settled after the provider agreed to pay $7.5 million in
penalties and modify its procedures to meet compliance standards, prosecutors
said Wednesday.
  

The pretrial settlement was reached in recent weeks between Loma Linda
and the Riverside County and San Bernardino County district attorney's
offices. The agreement was formalized during a hearing in San Bernardino County
Superior Court last month.
  

The civil action was initiated in April 2022 after an investigation
revealed Loma Linda University Health Network staff had allegedly discarded
``pharmaceutical waste, batteries, aerosol cans, medical waste and documents
containing protected health information'' in regular trash receptacles, bound
for landfills, instead of in appropriate containers designed for hazardous
waste, which state law requires, according to the plaintiffs.
  

In the case of medical records bearing patients' personal details,
they were supposed to be shredded or rendered unreadable prior to disposal,
prosecutors said.
  

Requests for comment from the health system were not immediately
answered. Loma Linda operates several facilities in Riverside County.
  

``During the investigation, Loma Linda University Health cooperated
with prosecutors and undertook significant corrective actions, including a
system-wide overhaul of its waste management program, modifications to employee
training and improvements to waste handling procedures,'' the DA's Office
stated.
  

The pretrial agreement's terms include a permanent injunction
stipulating that the defendants establish and maintain a ``comprehensive
compliance program,'' at a cost of about $3 million. Failure to satisfy the
injunction's requirements could result in an additional $1 million penalty,
according to the prosecution.
  

Out of the settlement total, Riverside County will receive $2.8
million, a sum that combines penalties and reimbursement for investigative
costs.
  

Copyright 2026, City News Service, Inc.