A new lawsuit alleges six California nursing homes owned by Sava Senior Care routinely refuse to provide residents with an advance written notice of discharge or their rights to contest that discharge.

Attorneys for affected residents want an injunction to stop the provider from allegedly illegally dumping others. They’re also seeking statutory damages.

One of the locations in question is Courtyard Care Center in San Jose, where two residents claim they were illegally discharged without notice or medical clearance. Both had  “debilitating medical conditions,” according to their attorneys.

The suit, filed last week in Santa Clara County Superior Court, claims Sava ignores longstanding rules designed to protect residents in favor of making more money.

In San Jose, an evicted Anita Willis stayed at a motel and then became homeless until she went to a hospital for emergency surgery. In December, she was featured prominently in a national news article about patient-dumping.

Courtyard Care Center spokeswoman Annaliese Impink told a local television station the company was made aware of the lawsuit Monday and is investigating.

“According to our initial review, we see no merit to the allegations,” Impink said in an emailed statement. “We continue to focus on the care and services we provide to the residents we have the privilege to serve and we thank all of our staff for their diligence and commitment.”

Skilled nursing facilities are required to inform residents of their rights to appeal a discharge decision and notify an ombudsman, who can advocate for residents. The suit claims the Sava facilities violates those requirements.

California has been at the center of a renewed focus on patient-dumping and has drawn the attention of local and federal regulators. Last year, AARP sued a provider in Sacramento over similar claims.

California state Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) has introduced a bill in the California State Senate to curb the practice. His legislation would prohibit discharging patients to any place other than the location identified by the patient as where they live, unless it is to another licensed facility or to a social services provider that has agreed to accept the patient.