Kings County
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
In Kings County's small, tight-knit communities, families often have few alternatives when a nursing home fails their loved one. Our attorneys used to defend nursing homes, and we use that experience to fight for your family.
Elder Abuse in Kings County
Kings County, centered on the city of Hanford, is a rural county in California's Central Valley.
In a county built on agriculture and close community ties, the scarcity of care facilities means that when abuse or neglect occurs, families may feel trapped, with no nearby alternative to move their loved one to. The geographic isolation common in rural Central Valley communities can also let problems go unnoticed.
At California Nursing Home Law, attorneys Michael Young and Thomas Wallin have spent decades fighting for elder abuse victims across California, including Kings County. As former nursing home defense attorneys, they know how facilities defend against abuse claims, and they use that insider knowledge to tear those defenses apart.
Types of Cases We Handle in Kings County
Our attorneys represent Kings County families in all types of nursing home abuse and neglect cases:
Nursing homes in Kings County: every certified facility in the county, with its CMS star rating, inspection findings and citation history.
How to Report Elder Abuse in Kings County
If you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected in a Kings County nursing home or care facility, it is critical to act quickly. Contact the following agencies to file a report:
- Kings County Adult Protective Services (APS)
(559) 582-3211 ext. 2900: Kings County Human Services Agency. Report suspected abuse or neglect of elderly and dependent adults in Kings 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 - Kings County District Attorney
(559) 582-0326: Prosecutes criminal elder abuse cases in Kings County.
Senior Advocacy & Support Organizations
These organizations provide resources, support, and advocacy for seniors and their families in Kings County:
- 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 Kings 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.
Cities We Serve in Kings County
Our nursing home abuse attorneys represent families in every city and community across Kings County, including: