In one of the most expensive cities in the nation, a high cost of care does not guarantee quality. Seniors in San Francisco County deserve protection from abuse and neglect — and our former defense attorneys know how facilities hide the truth.
San Francisco County is home to approximately 875,000 residents, including more than 160,000 seniors aged 65 and older. With over 30 licensed skilled nursing facilities packed into just 47 square miles, the city has one of the densest concentrations of elder care in California.
Despite San Francisco's reputation for progressive values and high cost of living, many of the county's nursing homes are operated by the same corporate chains found throughout the state — chains that prioritize profits over patient care. Chronic understaffing, high staff turnover, and corporate cost-cutting put vulnerable seniors at risk, regardless of how much families pay for care.
San Francisco's remarkably diverse senior population — spanning dozens of languages and cultural backgrounds — faces additional barriers when reporting abuse. Language access failures and cultural isolation can allow mistreatment to go undetected for months. At California Nursing Home Law, attorneys Michael Young and Thomas Wallin fight for every family, using their insider knowledge as former nursing home defense attorneys to tear apart facility cover-ups.
Our attorneys represent San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco County:
California provides some of the strongest legal protections for nursing home residents in the country. Key laws that protect San Francisco 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 neighborhood and community across San Francisco County, including: