Daniel Ridge, a former morgue attendant from Oakland, California, has won a $2.4 million wrongful termination lawsuit against Alameda Health System, but his whereabouts remain unknown. Ridge, 49, was dismissed from his job after returning from a leave period, sparking an eight-year legal battle that concluded last month with an Alameda County Superior Court jury ruling in his favor. However, Ridge was not present in court to hear the verdict.
Ridge’s lawyers, including Lawrance A. Bohm, have been unable to locate him. They suspect he is among the many homeless individuals in Oakland. “Finding him will require a tremendous effort,” Bohm stated. According to the Los Angeles Times, Ridge’s mental health deteriorated over the years, leading to homelessness and estrangement from his family, including his 10-year-old son.
Ridge’s troubles began when he was forced to work full-time hours while receiving part-time pay, without benefits, at Highland Hospital in Oakland. He raised numerous concerns about working conditions, including safety and health issues related to formaldehyde disposal and the handling of bodies. His complaints were ignored, and he was eventually fired in 2015 after returning from medical leave.
Despite the jury’s decision, Alameda Health System plans to appeal, arguing that the verdict was not supported by evidence. Meanwhile, the search for Ridge continues, highlighting the challenges faced by homeless individuals in maintaining connections with family and accessing legal victories. The Independent reports that Ridge’s past traumas, including witnessing the violent death of his uncle and the suicides of two cousins, contributed to his PTSD, which went untreated for decades.
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