San Benito County
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
San Benito County may be small, but its seniors deserve the same fierce advocacy as any major metro. With limited local care options, many families place loved ones in neighboring counties, far from home. Our former defense attorneys know how facilities conceal the truth, and we fight to expose it.
Elder Abuse in San Benito County
San Benito County, centered on the city of Hollister, is a growing community between the Central Valley and Silicon Valley. Many seniors live here, and families may find a loved one placed in a nursing home or assisted living facility in neighboring Santa Clara, Monterey, or Santa Cruz County.
This geographic separation can make it hard for families to visit regularly, keep an eye on care, and catch early signs of abuse or neglect. When problems arise, families in Hollister, San Juan Bautista, and surrounding communities often feel powerless, unsure where to turn or whether they have legal options.
At California Nursing Home Law, attorneys Michael Young and Thomas Wallin represent San Benito County families regardless of where their loved one's facility is located. 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 San Benito County
Our attorneys represent San Benito County families in all types of nursing home abuse and neglect cases:
Nursing homes in San Benito County: every certified facility in the county, with its CMS star rating, inspection findings and citation history.
How to Report Elder Abuse in San Benito County
If you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected in a San Benito County nursing home or care facility, it is critical to act quickly. Contact the following agencies to file a report:
- San Benito County Adult Protective Services (APS)
(831) 637-9293: Report suspected abuse or neglect of elderly and dependent adults in San Benito 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 - San Benito County District Attorney
(831) 636-4110: Prosecutes criminal elder abuse cases in San Benito County.
Senior Advocacy & Support Organizations
These organizations provide resources, support, and advocacy for seniors and their families in San Benito 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 San Benito 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 San Benito County
Our nursing home abuse attorneys represent families in every city and community across San Benito County, including: