Merced County
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Every day, seniors in Merced County suffer abuse and neglect at the hands of those entrusted with their care. Our attorneys used to defend nursing homes, and we use that experience to fight for your family.
Elder Abuse in Merced County
Merced County sits in the San Joaquin Valley, and many seniors call it home. As a growing university town anchored by UC Merced and surrounded by California's agricultural heartland, the county's senior population is expanding rapidly while healthcare infrastructure struggles to keep pace.
Skilled nursing facilities serve families across the Merced County region.
At California Nursing Home Law, attorneys Michael Young and Thomas Wallin have spent decades fighting for elder abuse victims across California's Central Valley, including Merced County. As former nursing home defense attorneys, they know how facilities defend abuse claims, and they use that insider knowledge to take those defenses apart.
Types of Cases We Handle in Merced County
Our attorneys represent Merced County families in all types of nursing home abuse and neglect cases:
Nursing homes in Merced County: every certified facility in the county, with its CMS star rating, inspection findings and citation history.
How to Report Elder Abuse in Merced County
If you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected in a Merced County nursing home or care facility, it is critical to act quickly. Contact the following agencies to file a report:
- Merced County Adult Protective Services (APS)
(209) 385-3000: Report suspected abuse or neglect of elderly and dependent adults in Merced 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 - Merced County District Attorney
(209) 385-7381: Prosecutes criminal elder abuse cases in Merced County. Visit website
Senior Advocacy & Support Organizations
These organizations provide resources, support, and advocacy for seniors and their families in Merced 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 Merced 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 Merced County
Our nursing home abuse attorneys represent families in every city and community across Merced County, including: