In the shadow of Lassen Peak and across the high desert of northeastern California, seniors in care facilities deserve vigilant legal protection. Our former defense attorneys understand how remote facilities evade accountability — and we fight tirelessly for families in Susanville and across Lassen County.
Lassen County occupies a vast stretch of northeastern California, a rugged landscape of volcanic terrain, pine forests, and high desert plateaus. Named after the iconic Lassen Peak — one of the world's largest plug dome volcanoes — the county is home to approximately 31,000 residents. The county seat of Susanville serves as the primary population center, while smaller communities like Janesville, Westwood, and Herlong are spread across thousands of square miles of sparsely populated terrain.
With roughly 5,500 seniors aged 65 and older and only three care facilities in the entire county, Lassen County's elderly residents face significant vulnerability. The county's remote location makes it difficult to attract and retain qualified healthcare workers, and state regulatory inspections are less frequent than in urban areas. These staffing shortages and oversight gaps create an environment where neglect and abuse can persist unchecked.
At California Nursing Home Law, attorneys Michael Young and Thomas Wallin refuse to let distance diminish the quality of justice available to Lassen County families. Having served as defense attorneys for nursing homes earlier in their careers, they possess a unique understanding of the tactics facilities use to conceal wrongdoing — and they deploy that knowledge aggressively on behalf of northeastern California families.
Our attorneys represent Lassen County families in all types of nursing home abuse and neglect cases:
If you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected in a Lassen County nursing home or care facility, it is critical to act quickly. Contact the following agencies to file a report:
These organizations provide resources, support, and advocacy for seniors and their families in Lassen County:
California provides some of the strongest legal protections for nursing home residents in the country. Key laws that protect Lassen County seniors include:
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.
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 significant fines.
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.
Our nursing home abuse attorneys represent families in every city and community across Lassen County, including: