California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer California Lawyers For Nursing Home Abuse Reviewed by Julie Rivers, MBA Eldercare Advocate & Expert Home / Nursing Home Legal Advice / Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer / California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Quick Answer If you or a loved one faced abuse or neglect in a California nursing home, assisted living facility, or other care facility, a specialized attorney may be able to help. California nursing home abuse lawyers help families seek justice and financial compensation after harm in long-term care facilities. See if you can connect with a top lawyer right now. Get a Free Case Review How Can a California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help? A California nursing home abuse lawyer can help individuals affected by nursing home abuse or neglect hold facilities and staff members accountable for the harm they caused. Victims of nursing home abuse often face long-lasting physical and psychological harm and even death in severe cases. A skilled California nursing home abuse attorney can file a lawsuit to pursue compensation and justice for negligent care. “In cases of severe neglect or wrongful death, compensation can reach hundreds of thousands or even more than a million dollars, but there’s never a guarantee.” – Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Ricky LeBlanc Experienced California nursing home abuse lawyers make filing a lawsuit as stress-free as possible. They collect evidence, build a strong case, and work to win the compensation your family deserves. The Nursing Home Abuse Center partners with skilled attorneys across the country who are fully vetted and part of our extensive national network. Together, our legal partners have recovered over $318 million for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. Get a free case review right now to see if we can connect you with a top California nursing home abuse attorney. Get a Free Case Review by Fight back against nursing home abuse and neglect — start now with a free case review. Start My Free Case Reviewor call (855) 264-6310 High-Risk California Nursing Homes Identified by CMS (2026) CMS maintains a Special Focus Facility (SFF) list of nursing homes with a history of serious, repeated care violations. These facilities have ongoing problems that inspections show were not consistently fixed, so CMS monitors them more closely and may take enforcement action. These California nursing homes are on the most recent SFF list: Artesia Palms Care Center (Artesia) Greenfield Care Center of Fairfield (Fairfield) Oakwood Healthcare Center (Chico) Rio Hondo Subacute & Nursing Center (Montebello) Riverside Postacute Care (Riverside) Sunray Healthcare Center (Los Angeles) Examples of Nursing Home Abuse in California Nursing home abuse includes neglect and physical, sexual, and emotional harm. Any type of mistreatment can cause serious injuries or worsen existing health conditions. Here are documented examples of California nursing home abuse and neglect: Anberry: A resident at Anberry Nursing and Rehabilitation Center died from choking. Bellflower: A resident with dementia was sexually abused at Bellflower Post Acute. Cherry Valley: A Miravilla Care Center supervisor stole money from residents. Chico: A resident at Windsor Chico Creek died from a lack of oxygen. Chino Valley: A resident was killed by their roommate at Chino Valley Health Care Center. Lakeport: An Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare resident was dragged, hit his head, and died as a result. Lawndale: A resident at Lawndale Healthcare & Wellness fell from their bed, putting them into a vegetative state. Lomita: Mass drugging and violations at Palos Verdes Health Care Center occurred. Long Beach: A Long Beach Healthcare Center was cited for neglect leading to a resident’s death. Los Angeles: Hyde Park Healthcare Center transferred four residents with extensive care needs into an unlicensed facility. Palm Desert: A nursing aid at Monterey Palms filmed a resident’s genitals. Petaluma: EmpRes Post Acute Rehabilitation heavily drugged a resident. Selma: A Bethel Lutheran Home resident died after multiple falls. Sonoma: A Nazareth Agua Caliente Villa was cited for restraining a resident. Stockton: An unsupervised resident from a facility taken over by Eduro Healthcare was killed by a train. Sylmar: Maclay Healthcare Center was cited for neglect, including live maggots in a resident’s mouth. Tujunga: An Oakpark Healthcare Center resident died from a neglected wound. If you or a loved one has experienced any form of harm in a California nursing home, you may be able to take legal action. Find out right now with a free legal case review. Our California Nursing Home Abuse Settlements and Verdicts Nursing home settlements and verdicts provide the financial support needed after abuse or neglect causes harm or death. Many nursing home settlements have awarded millions of dollars to families. Settlements are the most common outcome of nursing home abuse and neglect lawsuits. Most happen out of court. However, if a fair settlement isn’t reached, nursing home claims may proceed to trial, where a judge or jury delivers a verdict. These are some of our California nursing home settlements and verdicts: $2 million for a Castro Valley man whose wife with dementia died within 48 hours of entering a care facility $1 million for a Hayward man whose mother choked to death during assisted feeding $700,000 in Los Angeles to a woman whose mother was denied her medication $845,000 for a Los Angeles woman whose grandmother was hospitalized for severe bedsores $700,000 to a San Lorenzo woman who developed a serious bedsore in a care facility $1 million for an Orangevale woman whose mother-in-law with dementia developed a UTI and pressure sores The average payout for serious harm suffered in a nursing facility is around $400,000, but some families who have worked with our legal partners have received $1 million or more. For many families, working with an experienced California nursing home abuse lawyer helped increase their payout. Get a free case review right now to see if you qualify to work with one of the top California nursing home abuse attorneys in our network. Get a Free Case Review by Fight back against nursing home abuse and neglect — start now with a free case review. Start My Free Case Reviewor call (855) 264-6310 California Elder Abuse Statistics Elder abuse and mistreatment in nursing homes are a devastating reality across the nation, and unfortunately, California has some of the highest rates. State data highlights the scale of the elder abuse risk: California’s senior population reached 6.4 million by 2025, the fastest growth of any U.S. state. The number of Californians 65 and older is projected to nearly double between 2010 and 2030. About 410,000 older adults live in licensed or unlicensed care facilities statewide. 150,000+ seniors live in unlicensed assisted living facilities, often with little oversight. 13% of all California long-term care complaints involved abuse, gross neglect, or exploitation, double the national average. Many affected residents have dementia, increasing vulnerability to abuse, neglect, and overmedication. California also operates a dedicated enforcement program overseeing 1,300 skilled nursing facilities, reflecting the ongoing risk of abuse and neglect statewide. Types of Cases Nursing Home Attorneys Handle California nursing home abuse lawyers handle cases of serious harm that occur in assisted living, long-term care, or other types of nursing facilities. You may also need help from a California nursing home abuse lawyer if you believe a nursing home or its staff is providing a substandard level of care. These are some situations California nursing home abuse lawyers handle: Bedrail injuries Bruising or bleeding around the genitals, indicating sexual abuse Dehydration or weight loss caused by malnutrition Elopement (exiting the facility unnoticed) Inadequate diabetic care Lack of proper medical care for infections Medication errors or prescribing unnecessary medications Nursing home medical malpractice Physical or chemical restraints Repeated nursing home falls that should have been prevented Serious injuries that go untreated by health care providers Staffing issues that cause harm (understaffing or lack of staff training) Preventable pressure ulcers, especially stage 4 bedsores If you or a loved one experienced any form of abuse or neglect in a California nursing home, your family may be eligible for compensation. Don’t wait to learn about your legal options. Call our team at (855) 264-6310 or Click to Live Chat right now. Working With a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney An experienced California nursing home abuse lawyer can simplify your family’s role in the lawsuit process. They will handle all legal work on your behalf and create a personalized plan. Here is what a skilled California nursing home abuse lawyer can do: Provide a free consultation: Top California nursing home abuse lawyers offer free case reviews to determine if there may be a valid claim. Investigate the nursing home: Your lawyer carefully evaluates the details of neglect or abuse to determine if the facility or staff could be held responsible. Collect evidence: California nursing home abuse lawyers gather medical records, bills, expert opinions, and other evidence to build a strong case. File the lawsuit: They handle each step of the legal process, ensuring all documents are filed correctly and within your case’s specific deadlines. Negotiate on your behalf: They will work to secure the highest nursing home settlement without going to court. Represent you in court: If a fair settlement isn’t reached, they can take your case to trial to continue fighting for your family. Hiring an experienced California nursing home abuse attorney lets you focus on your loved one’s care while your legal team pursues accountability and financial support. When Should I Hire a Nursing Home Lawyer? Consider hiring a California nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as you suspect neglect or abuse has occurred. It’s important to act quickly because there’s a strict deadline for filing lawsuits, known as the statute of limitations. Once this window passes, you won’t be able to pursue legal action. Each state has a specific deadline, making it essential to talk with a lawyer who understands the laws in your area. In California, the statute of limitations to take legal action for nursing home abuse or neglect is 2 years. However, these laws can be tricky to understand. A California nursing home abuse attorney can advise exactly how much time you have to file your lawsuit. They will make sure your case is filed before the deadline. Worried About Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?When you're ready to act, here’s what to expect:1. Spot Red Flags Before It’s Too Late Look for bedsores, confusion, weight loss, fear, or silence. 2. Reach Out to Our Team, Day or Night Speak with a trained advocate who listens and understands. 3. Our Legal Partners File Your Lawsuit We handle the paperwork and figure out who’s responsible. 4. You Get Help — and Money If We Win Receive financial compensation and get justice. Start My Free Case Review How to Find the Best California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Finding the right California nursing home abuse lawyer means choosing a firm that focuses on elder abuse and neglect cases under California law. The strongest attorneys handle claims involving bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, medication errors, falls, and wrongful death, and know how to investigate long-term care facilities and corporate ownership. While state agencies can offer guidance, working with a lawyer experienced in California nursing home abuse cases is often the most direct path to accountability and protection for a loved one. Below are some qualities to look for in California nursing home abuse attorneys. No Upfront Costs Generally, the best California nursing home abuse lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs, and you only pay legal fees if your case is successful. Your California nursing home abuse attorney will receive a percentage of your compensation if they negotiate a settlement or win a verdict for you. Additionally, top lawyers offer free case reviews, so you shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket to find out if you may have a valid claim. Get a free case review right now. Experience With Nursing Home Abuse Cases Seek California nursing home abuse lawyers with a history of handling similar cases involving various types of nursing home abuse. Nursing home residents are often frail and prone to injuries, falls, and infections. Therefore, proving that harm was preventable and directly caused by negligence or abuse can be difficult. Top lawyers know how to gather the evidence needed to build a strong case linking harm to negligence in nursing facilities. History of Winning Nursing Home Abuse Compensation Experienced California nursing home abuse attorneys have a proven track record of success in getting compensation for nursing home cases. This means they can accurately assess the impact of the harm and calculate the amount of money your family needs and deserves to recover from the trauma. Works at a Reputable Nursing Home Abuse Law Firm Your California nursing home abuse lawyer should work at a trusted nursing home law firm. This allows them to partner with other nursing home lawyers on their cases to get the best results for families. They can also access extensive resources, including expert witnesses, paralegals, and other legal professionals. Download our free attorney checklist to help you understand what to look for in a California nursing home abuse lawyer and how to choose legal representation that’s right for your family. Free Nursing Home Abuse Attorney ChecklistDownload our free checklist for the questions that matter most when choosing a nursing home lawyer.Get Your Free Checklist Now What Areas Do California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Serve? The California nursing home abuse lawyers in our network can help families across the state. Here are some areas California nursing home abuse attorneys serve: Alturas Anaheim Angels Camp Bakersfield Bishop Chico Chula Vista Clearlake Colusa Concord Corona Crescent City Daly City El Centro Elk Grove Escondido Eureka Fontana Fremont Fresno Fullerton Garden Grove Glendale Grass Valley Hanford Hayward Hollister Huntington Beach Irvine Ione Lancaster Long Beach Los Angeles Loyalton Madera Mammoth Lakes Marysville Merced Modesto Moreno Valley Napa Oakland Oceanside Ontario Orange Orland Oxnard Palmdale Pasadena Placerville Pomona Portola Rancho Cucamonga Red Bluff Redding Riverside Roseville Sacramento Salinas San Bernardino San Diego San Francisco San Jose San Luis Obispo San Rafael Santa Ana Santa Clara Santa Clarita Santa Cruz Santa Maria Santa Rosa Sonora Stockton Sunnyvale Susanville Torrance Vallejo Visalia Woodland Yreka Yuba City Zipcodes: 90011 90059 91701 92007 92251 92501 92801 93001 93101 93201 93202 93203 93401 93513 93541 93610 93650 93901 94002 94022 94101 94203 94501 94503 94505 94510 94901 94922 95001 95023 95201 95221 95301 95305 95306 95410 95422 95501 95531 95601 95602 95605 95623 95901 95912 95913 95914 95915 95945 96001 96006 96008 96010 96021 96101 96120 Show More These are just some of the cities and towns the California nursing home abuse attorneys we’ve partnered with serve. Our network includes experienced lawyers ready to assist, no matter where you are in California. Get Help from a California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Nursing home abuse and neglect cases can be challenging, requiring a lawyer who possesses both legal expertise and a commitment to advocating for your family’s unique needs. The Nursing Home Abuse Center team understands that protecting your loved one is your top concern. We believe that having the right California nursing home abuse lawyer can significantly improve the outcome of your case. We partner with some of the country’s best nursing home lawyers. Together, they have helped families like yours recover over $318 million for nursing home abuse and neglect, including in California facilities. Experienced California nursing home abuse attorneys can provide clear guidance throughout the legal process, tirelessly fighting for your rights and pursuing the compensation your family deserves. Contact us right now at (855) 264-6310 or get a free case review to find out how we can help your family recover after nursing home neglect or elder abuse in California. California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer FAQsHow much can you sue a nursing home for negligence in California?The average nursing home neglect payout is about $400,000 in cases of severe and preventable harm. However, many families have received $1 million or more. For example, our California nursing home abuse attorneys secured $2 million for a Castro Valley man whose wife with dementia died within 48 hours of entering a care facility. That said, the value of a nursing home settlement is affected by various factors, such as the severity of the injury and whether it could have been prevented. Skilled California nursing home abuse lawyers can assess the specifics of your case and tell you what you may be able to expect. We can connect you right now if you qualify — call our team at (855) 264-6310. Do I need an elder abuse attorney in California?Yes, if you or a loved one was harmed in a nursing facility in California, consulting with a California nursing home abuse attorney is recommended. They can help assess your situation, protect your rights, and pursue justice and compensation for the harm caused. Remember, if the harm occurred in California but you live in another state, you still need a California nursing home abuse lawyer to navigate the state’s legal system. How do I find nursing home attorneys near me?The Nursing Home Abuse Center can connect you with a top California nursing home abuse lawyer if you qualify. Get a free case review right now to find out if we can help. What is the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse in California?The statute of limitations for nursing home abuse in California is generally 2 years from the date of the injury or death. However, specifics can vary, so consulting with an experienced California nursing home abuse attorney for your particular situation is recommended to ensure your rights are protected. Nursing Home Abuse Support TeamLast modified: December 19, 2025Reviewed by:Julie Rivers, MBAEldercare Advocate & ExpertFact-CheckedEditorJulie Rivers is an eldercare advocate with over 15 years of dedicated service to victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. Her journey in this field became deeply personal when she assumed the role of an unpaid caregiver during her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Written by:The Nursing Home Abuse Center TeamThe Nursing Home Abuse Center (NHAC) was founded to bring justice to those affected by nursing home and elder abuse. Our mission is to educate and empower victims of abuse and their families to take a stand against this unlawful mistreatment. We work to return dignity back to those who have been broken down by nursing home abuse and neglect. View Sources California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR). (n.d.) Nursing home fact sheets. Retrieved from https://canhr.org/nursing-home-fact-sheets-english/. California Department of Aging. (n.d.). Long-term care ombudsman. Retrieved from https://www.aging.ca.gov/Programs/LTCOP/. California Department of Social Services. (n.d.). Adult Protective Services (APS). Retrieved from http://www.cdss.ca.gov/Adult-Protective-Services. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). (2025). Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/sff-posting-candidate-list-september-2025.pdf. Perry, A.J. (2019). California nursing homes some of the worst in the nation. Retrieved from https://www.kqed.org/news/11757175/california-nursing-homes-some-of-the-worst-in-the-nation. Phelan A. (2015). Protecting care home residents from mistreatment and abuse: On the need for policy. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S70191. Sharma, A. (2022). El Cajon nursing home keeps operating despite record of abuse, poor care. Retrieved from https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2022/09/08/el-cajon-nursing-home-keeps-operating-record-abuse-poor-care. Sokolove Law. (2025). California nursing home abuse lawyer. Retrieved from https://www.sokolovelaw.com/locations/california/nursing-home-abuse/. State of California Department of Justice. (n.d.) Elder abuse. Retrieved from https://oag.ca.gov/dmfea/elder. State of California Department of Justice. (n.d.) Elder abuse laws (criminal). Retrieved from https://oag.ca.gov/dmfea/laws/crim_elder.