El Dorado County
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
From the historic Gold Rush town of Placerville to the mountain communities of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County seniors in care facilities deserve fierce legal protection. Our attorneys used to defend nursing homes, and we fight for your family across El Dorado County.
Elder Abuse in El Dorado County
El Dorado County stretches from the Sacramento Valley foothills to the crest of the Sierra Nevada, encompassing the county seat of Placerville, the bedroom communities of El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park, and the resort town of South Lake Tahoe. Seniors live throughout the county, and many came for the outdoors and for the county's closeness to Sacramento.
Despite its relative affluence compared to neighboring foothill counties, El Dorado County faces real challenges in elder care. The county's skilled nursing and residential care facilities are spread across vast, mountainous terrain, with facilities in South Lake Tahoe operating in virtual isolation during winter months when mountain passes can close. Wildfire risk, underscored by the 2021 Caldor Fire that forced mass evacuations, adds another layer of vulnerability for seniors who cannot easily relocate.
At California Nursing Home Law, attorneys Michael Young and Thomas Wallin are dedicated to protecting El Dorado County's seniors. As former nursing home defense attorneys, they know how facilities respond to abuse claims, and they use that knowledge to build compelling cases for families from Placerville to South Lake Tahoe.
Types of Cases We Handle in El Dorado County
Our attorneys represent El Dorado County families in all types of nursing home abuse and neglect cases:
Nursing homes in El Dorado County: every certified facility in the county, with its CMS star rating, inspection findings and citation history.
How to Report Elder Abuse in El Dorado County
If you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected in an El Dorado County nursing home or care facility, it is critical to act quickly. Contact the following agencies to file a report:
- El Dorado County Adult Protective Services (APS)
(530) 621-6150: Report suspected abuse or neglect of elderly and dependent adults in El Dorado County. - California Long-Term Care Ombudsman
(800) 831-9505: Investigates complaints about nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Visit website - California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Licensing & Certification
(800) 236-7510: File complaints about facility licensing violations. File a complaint online - El Dorado County District Attorney
(530) 621-6472: Prosecutes criminal elder abuse cases in El Dorado County. Visit website
Senior Advocacy & Support Organizations
These organizations provide resources, support, and advocacy for seniors and their families in El Dorado County:
- El Dorado County Area Agency on Aging
Local agency providing senior services, nutrition programs, caregiver support, and elder abuse prevention resources for El Dorado County residents. - California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
Statewide advocacy organization providing resources, referrals, and legislative advocacy for nursing home residents and their families. - National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)
Federal resource center providing research, training materials, and elder abuse prevention resources.
California Elder Abuse Law
California law gives nursing home residents specific legal protections. Key laws that protect El Dorado County seniors include:
Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act
Welfare & Institutions Code 15600-15675. This landmark California statute allows elder abuse victims to recover enhanced damages, including attorney's fees and costs. It covers physical abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, abandonment, isolation, and other forms of mistreatment.
Criminal Elder Abuse
California Penal Code Section 368. Makes it a felony to inflict unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering on an elder or dependent adult. Violations can result in imprisonment and fines.
Patients' Bill of Rights
Health & Safety Code 1599. Guarantees nursing home residents fundamental rights including dignity, privacy, freedom from abuse, adequate medical care, and the right to voice grievances without retaliation.
Communities We Serve in El Dorado County
Our nursing home abuse attorneys represent families in every city and community across El Dorado County, including: