Norristown Rehab Center Sued After Patient Sexually Assaulted

NORRISTOWN, PA — A nurse at a Norristown rehab facility repeatedly sexually assaulted one of his patients, according to a lawsuit filed in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, which alleges the facility's extreme negligence and focus on profits enabled the trauma.

The victim was receiving physical therapy and daily living assistance at the Suburban Woods Health and Rehabilitation Center when the incidents occurred in late September 2020.

"The deterioration of her health and physical condition was negligently accelerated and resulted in both physical and severe emotional injuries, a loss of dignity, degradation, severe emotional trauma, severe pain and suffering, extreme mental anguish, fright and shock, anxiety, depression, loss of sleep, past and future impairment of ability to enjoy life, and unnecessary hospitalizations," the suit states.

Patch has reached out to Saber Healthcare, the owner of Suburban Woods, for comment. The healthcare chain did not immediately respond.

The suit names a licensed practical nurse, Charles Dalce, as the attacker. Charges of aggravated indecent assault and related counts were filed against Dalce in Montgomery County in late September, according to court documents.

Lawyers for the victim say that Dalce's nursing license has since been revoked by the state.

Attorneys specifically note that not just Suburban Woods, but Saber itself, must held responsible. They claim a "profit over people" mindset that led to staffing and hiring processes inadequate to protect the victim.

"Notably, these alleged failures go beyond the nursing home itself," lawyers Ultima Morgan and Jordan Solarz, who represent the victim via the Philadelphia law firm Morgan and Morgan, said in a statement. "The lawsuit alleges that the substandard care and overall poor conditions at the nursing home were the result of decisions made at the corporate level, for the purpose of increasing profits."

The suit, which was originally filed Jan 12, seeks a $50,000 judgement in favor the victim, as well as any punitive damages. It also calls for a jury trial.

Subruban Woods is located on 2751 DeKalb Pike in Norristown.