Dr. Sadeed Jawad, a physician-psychiatrist, has filed a lawsuit against his former employer, Sierra Health and Wellness Centers, LLC, and its associated entities in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento on February 15, 2026. The complaint alleges multiple breaches of contract and violations of California labor laws by Sierra Health and Wellness Centers, LLC, Sierra Health and Wellness Group, LLC, and Joseph Henderson.
The case centers around Dr. Jawad’s employment as a staff psychiatrist and later as Medical Director for Sierra Health and Wellness Centers (SH&W). Dr. Jawad claims that despite fulfilling his contractual obligations from April 2021 to August 2025, SH&W failed to compensate him for services rendered during June and July 2025. According to the complaint, Dr. Jawad was recruited for his specialized skills in General Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine to help SH&W qualify for medical reimbursement programs. His employment agreement stipulated compensation at an hourly rate with additional pay for “on-call” hours.
However, the situation deteriorated when SH&W faced staffing shortages in mid-2025. Dr. Jawad was pressured into working extended hours to cover the deficit but alleges he was not compensated for this extra work. In June 2025, Dr. Jawad decided to resign due to concerns over patient safety practices at SH&W and provided a formal notice on June 25th that he would leave in thirty days.
After his departure on August 1st, attempts by Dr. Jawad to submit invoices for unpaid wages were thwarted when he found himself locked out of the company’s systems. Despite repeated communications with CEO Joseph Henderson about outstanding payments—documented through text messages included as exhibits in the complaint—Dr. Jawad did not receive payment or satisfactory explanations.
In addition to breach of contract claims for unpaid wages totaling $91,550 just for June 2025 alone—and further claims including interest penalties—the lawsuit accuses SH&W of unfair business practices under California Business & Professions Code §17200 by continuing to use Dr. Jawad’s credentials without permission post-employment termination.
Dr. Jawad seeks various forms of relief from the court: compensatory damages exceeding $35,000; statutory penalties under California Labor Code §§203 & 218; injunctive relief preventing SH&W from using his professional credentials; disgorgement of ill-gotten gains estimated at no less than $8 million; reimbursement for necessary expenditures incurred during employment amounting to approximately $7,319; along with attorney fees and litigation costs.
Representing Dr. Sadeed Jawad is Abraham Sandoval from Sandoval Law APC while Taliah B Mirmalek Esq., previously issued demand letters on behalf of Dr.Jawad seeking resolution before filing suit against defendants including Joe Henderson who is also named individually under certain labor code violations pertaining owner/officer liability (California Labor Code §558).
This legal battle unfolds under Case No: [2A OOS So] before Judge [Name], reflecting broader issues surrounding employee rights within healthcare industry settings amidst allegations concerning unethical business conduct involving insurance reimbursements through misuse professional identities after contractual relationships have ended—a matter now pending judicial scrutiny seeking justice accountability all parties involved therein.
Source: 26CV003550_Dr_Sadeed_v_Sierra_Health_Complaint_County_of_Sacramento_California.pdf
