On April 2nd, 2025, the Sacramento Bee reported that a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against a rehabilitation facility in California related to the overdose of a patient. The parents of Justin Cartwright—a 30-year-old man who tragically died due to an overdose in early 2024—are suing HealthRight 360, a company that operates several sober living treatment centers in the San Francisco area. The family alleges negligence. Here, our Stockton wrongful death attorney provides a more comprehensive overview of the allegations and the law.
Background: Vulnerable Man Tragically Overdoses on Fentanyl
In December of 2023, 30-year-old Justin Cartwright entered a San Francisco rehab facility that is owned and operated by a firm called HealthRight 360. It operates substance abuse facilities in California. Notably, Mr. Cartwright had recently been released from jail after serving three months. Further, he had willingly agreed to treatment as a condition of receiving housing and a job from his mother. Mr. Cartwright was listed as a “highly vulnerable” patient due to his addiction and recent battle with homelessness. Unfortunately, Mr. Cartwright relapsed just one day after admission. He overdosed on fentanyl that he allegedly found in a facility bathroom. He was hospitalized and later returned to the facility. However, sadly, on January 14th, 2024—less than three weeks after entering treatment—he died from a third overdose. Shockingly, staff did not discover his body for 12 hours.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit: The Family Alleges that the Facility Was Negligent
In the wrongful death lawsuit, the parents of the victim argue that HealthRight 360 was seriously negligent. According to allegations raised within the complaint, the staff at the facility failed to enforce critical safety protocols, including mandatory drug testing, the searching of the personal belongings of residents, and hourly monitoring of “vulnerable” residents. In fact, within the lawsuit, the facility is described as having virtually “non-existent monitoring practices.” The parents of Mr. Cartwright argue that systemic issues at the facility allow drug use to happen on the premises and, in effect, facilitate overdose deaths.
Notably, HealthRight 360 has reportedly received more than $65 million in state funding. Still, the wrongful death claim contends that the organization has repeatedly failed to comply with California regulations. On March 27th, 2025, the parents of Justin filed a wrongful death lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court. They are demanding a jury trial and seeking damages. Among other things, the complaint accuses HealthRight 360 of maintaining unsafe treatment environments and ignoring both internal policies and state standards.
A Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California Provides a Civil Remedy for Grieving Families
A wrongful death claim is a civil cause of action. In California, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed by certain family members of the victim against any party whose negligence—failure to exercise due care—contributed to the death. Wrongful death cases fall under state law. If your loved one was killed due to negligence in Stockton or elsewhere in the area, it is crucial that your family understands California law. Here are some key points:
- The Purpose: A wrongful death claim is a type of civil lawsuit filed when a person dies due to the wrongful act or negligence of another individual or another entity, such as a business or an organization. The purpose of the claim is to provide financial compensation to surviving family members for their losses related to the death. These losses may include funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, and non-economic harm, such as loss of love, loss of companionship, and loss of consortium.
- The Standard: Liability in a California wrongful death case arises when a person, business, or organization causes death through negligence actions or negligent inactions. Wrongful death cases can arise in a number of different contexts, including car crashes, truck accidents, premises liability cases, dangerous products, medical malpractice, and health care provider misconduct. In the case of institutions like a rehabilitation center, liability may stem from failing to follow safety protocols, monitor patients, or prevent access to dangerous substances.
- The Claimants: Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, only specific people are permitted to bring a wrongful death claim. These include: 1) The decedent’s surviving spouse or domestic partner, and 2) The decedent’s children. If there is no surviving spouse or child, then other dependent family members (like parents or stepchildren) may be eligible. Beyond that, in some cases, other people who can prove they were financially dependent on the deceased may also have standing to bring a claim.
- The Timeline: In most cases, a wrongful death claim in California must be filed within two years of the date of death (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). It is a strictly enforced deadline—meaning a proactive approach after a loved one’s fatal accident is a must. With that being said, there are some exceptions. For example, if the death resulted from medical malpractice, the time limit may be shorter (generally one year from discovery of the injury). Further, if a government entity is involved, a notice of claim must usually be filed within 6 months to comply with specialized requirements set forth by California law.
We Fight for Justice for Grieving Families in Stockton and Throughout California
The loss of a loved one is a terrible tragedy. Health care providers—including substance abuse rehabilitation facilities—have an obligation to protect vulnerable people. If their negligence contributes to a death, they may be held civilly liable. Wrongful death cases are notoriously complex. At Redkey Gordon Law Corp, we fight for justice for grieving families. With millions of dollars in compensation recovered for clients, our firm has a proven history of case results. An initial consultation with our Stockton wrongful death lawyer is free and confidential.
Contact Our California Wrongful Death Lawyers Today
At Redkey Gordon Law Corp, our Stockton wrongful death lawyers provide compassionate, justice-focused advocacy to grieving families. If you lost a loved one because of the negligence of any health facility, we are here to help. Contact us today for a free, completely confidential consultation. With an office in Stockton, we fight for families throughout the San Joaquin Valley.