Nursing Home Abuse

Protecting the Rights of Vulnerable Adults

We Stand With Elders and their Families.

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are trusted to provide safety, respect, and medical attention to elderly and dependent adults. When that trust is broken through abuse or neglect, the consequences can be devastating. Families have the right to demand accountability, protect their loved ones, and ensure that standards of care are upheld.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse Cases We Handle

Fighting for Justice in Every Situation

Neglect

When Care is Withheld or Ignored

Neglect occurs when staff fail to provide residents with the essentials of daily life—food, water, hygiene, medication, and attentive monitoring. It can also mean ignoring call lights, leaving residents unattended, or failing to supervise those at risk of falls or wandering.


Why It Matters: Neglect can cause malnutrition, dehydration, infections, untreated injuries, and dangerous bedsores. Over time, it erodes both health and dignity.


Protecting Your Loved Ones: Families have the right to intervene when facilities fail to provide proper care. Acting quickly preserves evidence, exposes neglect, and ensures residents are treated with the respect they deserve.



We handle nursing home neglect cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Physical Abuse

When Harm is Inflicted Intentionally

Physical abuse includes hitting, pushing, shoving, rough handling, or the improper use of restraints. These actions cause visible injuries—such as bruises, fractures, or cuts—as well as lasting trauma for residents who often cannot protect themselves.


Why It Matters: No one should suffer intentional harm in a place of care. Abuse not only violates state and federal elder protection laws but also strips residents of safety and dignity.


Protecting Your Loved Ones: Families can take immediate legal action to hold facilities and abusers accountable, stop the mistreatment, and prevent further harm.


We handle nursing home abuse cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Emotional & Psychological Abuse

When Dignity is Attacked

Emotional abuse is often less visible but equally damaging. It includes verbal insults, humiliation, intimidation, threats, and deliberate isolation from loved ones.


Why It Matters: These actions foster fear, depression, and long-term psychological harm. Many residents may stop eating, lose interest in activities, or develop anxiety due to constant mistreatment.


Protecting Your Loved Ones: Families have the right to demand accountability when care facilities allow such behavior. Addressing abuse protects not only your loved one but also other residents in the facility.


We handle elder abuse cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Financial Exploitation

When Savings Are Stolen

Financial abuse happens when staff, caregivers, or outsiders take advantage of vulnerable adults for personal gain. This may involve stealing money, pressuring residents to change wills or property titles, or misusing credit cards and bank accounts.


Why It Matters: Exploitation robs seniors of their life savings and strips away financial independence. In many cases, the harm is discovered only after substantial losses have occurred.


Protecting Your Loved Ones: Families can take legal steps to stop exploitation, recover assets, and hold wrongdoers accountable for betraying trust.


We handle elder financial exploitation cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Elder & Nursing Home Abuse in California

What Families Should Know About the Process

Elder abuse in nursing homes and long-term care facilities is a serious violation of trust that can take many forms—neglect, physical harm, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, or even abandonment. California law provides strong protections for seniors and dependent adults, but holding facilities accountable can be complex. These cases often involve medical records, state and federal regulations, and powerful corporate defense teams. Having an experienced attorney ensures your loved one’s rights are protected and that abuse or neglect is fully investigated.


Reporting Deadlines

Families should report suspected abuse or neglect as soon as possible. Under California law, claims for elder abuse or neglect must generally be filed within two years of the incident, but waiting can make it harder to gather evidence. Immediate reporting to Adult Protective Services or the California Department of Public Health can also trigger investigations that help preserve records and protect other residents.


Who Is Protected

California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA) protects individuals who are:


Age 65 or older (elder adults)


Dependent adults age 18–64 with physical or mental limitations that restrict normal daily activities or ability to protect themselves


This means both elderly residents and younger dependent adults in care facilities are covered by the law.



Common  Elder Abuse Questions

Helping Families Understand Their Legal Options

  • What is considered elder abuse under California law?
    Under California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA), elder abuse can include physical abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other treatment that causes harm or suffering. Physical abuse may involve hitting, shoving, or rough handling, while neglect includes failing to provide food, water, hygiene, or medical care. Emotional abuse covers threats, humiliation, or intentional isolation from loved ones. Financial abuse occurs when caregivers or others take advantage of an elder’s assets for personal gain. California law is designed to protect both individuals over 65 and dependent adults with physical or mental limitations. Because abuse often happens behind closed doors, even subtle signs can be enough to trigger an investigation and potential legal action.
  • What are common warning signs of nursing home neglect or abuse?
    Warning signs can vary depending on the type of abuse. Physical abuse may show as bruises, fractures, or unexplained injuries. Neglect might appear as bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, poor hygiene, or frequent infections. Emotional abuse is harder to detect but may include sudden withdrawal, fear of staff, depression, or dramatic personality changes. Financial exploitation may show up as missing money, unusual bank transactions, or sudden changes to wills or legal documents. Abandonment and isolation can appear when residents are consistently left unattended, ignored, or cut off from family communication. Because nursing home residents may be unable or unwilling to report abuse, families should remain alert to changes in behavior, health, or financial stability.
  • Who can bring an elder abuse lawsuit in California?
    Lawsuits for elder abuse are typically brought by the abused individual themselves or, if they are unable, by their legal representative or family members. If the abuse results in death, surviving heirs may bring a wrongful death action connected to the abuse or neglect. California law allows heirs such as spouses, domestic partners, children, and in some cases financially dependent relatives, to pursue justice. In financial exploitation cases, family members may also have standing if they can prove losses connected to the elder’s estate. An attorney can help identify the proper party to file the lawsuit, ensure the claim is brought within the statute of limitations, and coordinate among multiple family members to present a unified case.
  • How long do I have to file an elder abuse lawsuit in California?
    The statute of limitations for elder abuse cases depends on the type of claim. Generally, civil lawsuits must be filed within two years of the abuse or neglect. However, if the abuse involves financial exploitation, the deadline may extend to four years from when the wrongful conduct was discovered. In cases of medical negligence within a facility, the shorter medical malpractice statute of limitations may apply—often one year from discovery of the harm. Because deadlines can vary and missing them can bar recovery, families should consult an attorney immediately upon discovering potential abuse. Early action also helps preserve evidence, secure medical records, and prevent facilities from covering up misconduct.
  • What damages can be recovered in an elder abuse case?
    Families and victims of elder abuse may be entitled to recover multiple categories of damages. These include compensation for medical bills, costs of relocating the elder to a safe environment, and treatment for physical or psychological injuries. Victims can also pursue damages for pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life. In financial exploitation cases, victims can recover stolen funds, lost property, or damages for fraudulent transactions. Importantly, under California law, plaintiffs in elder abuse cases may also recover attorney’s fees and costs, making it easier for families to pursue justice without upfront expenses. In cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish wrongdoers and deter future abuse in the facility.
  • How are nursing homes held accountable for abuse or neglect?
    Nursing homes and long-term care facilities can be held liable when abuse or neglect occurs under their supervision. This includes situations where staff directly harm residents, or when facilities fail to hire qualified employees, provide adequate training, or maintain safe staffing levels. Facilities may also face liability for ignoring complaints, covering up incidents, or failing to follow state and federal safety regulations. Investigations often involve reviewing staff records, state inspection reports, medical charts, and facility policies. In addition to civil lawsuits, nursing homes may face fines, loss of licenses, or increased regulatory oversight. By pursuing legal action, families not only secure compensation but also help pressure facilities to improve conditions for all residents.
  • Can I sue for financial exploitation of an elder?
    Yes. California law recognizes financial abuse of elders as a serious and actionable offense. Financial exploitation may include theft, misuse of credit cards, coercing elders into changing wills, or unauthorized access to bank accounts. Families can sue caregivers, staff, financial advisors, or even facility operators if they facilitated or failed to prevent exploitation. Remedies include recovery of stolen funds, return of property, and damages for financial and emotional harm. In many cases, courts also allow recovery of attorney’s fees, making it financially feasible to pursue these claims. Because exploitation often goes unnoticed until significant losses occur, quick action is critical once suspicious activity is discovered.
  • What should I do if I suspect my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?
    If you suspect abuse, your first priority should be the safety of your loved one. Document visible injuries, behavioral changes, or unsafe conditions with photographs, notes, and witness accounts. Report concerns immediately to facility management, but do not stop there. Families should also file a complaint with Adult Protective Services (APS) or the California Department of Public Health, which can investigate facilities for violations. In cases of immediate danger, contacting law enforcement is appropriate. Finally, consulting with an attorney ensures that evidence is preserved, deadlines are met, and the legal claim is properly pursued. Taking early action protects not only your loved one but potentially other residents in the facility as well.
  • Will pursuing an elder abuse lawsuit help prevent future abuse?
    Yes. Elder abuse lawsuits not only provide compensation for victims but also serve as a powerful tool for accountability. When facilities face financial consequences, regulatory action, or public exposure, they are more likely to improve training, increase staffing, and adopt stricter safety protocols. Past lawsuits have led to meaningful changes, such as better fall-prevention policies, stricter medication oversight, and stronger background checks on employees. Families often find comfort knowing their case may help prevent other residents from experiencing the same suffering. While nothing can undo the harm caused, pursuing a claim can both honor your loved one’s dignity and contribute to lasting improvements in elder care.