San Francisco County
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Seniors in San Francisco County deserve protection from abuse and neglect, and our attorneys, who used to defend nursing homes, use that experience to fight for your family.
Elder Abuse in San Francisco County
San Francisco County is home to seniors and their families across the city.
In San Francisco, as anywhere, what a family pays for care does not by itself protect a loved one from abuse or neglect.
San Francisco's diverse senior population, spanning many 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.
Types of Cases We Handle in San Francisco County
Our attorneys represent San Francisco County families in all types of nursing home abuse and neglect cases:
Nursing homes in San Francisco County: every certified facility in the county, with its CMS star rating, inspection findings and citation history.
How to Report Elder Abuse in San Francisco County
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:
- SF Adult Protective Services (APS)
(800) 814-0009: 24-hour hotline for reporting suspected abuse or neglect of elderly and dependent adults in San Francisco County. - California Long-Term Care Ombudsman, San Francisco Region
(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 Francisco Police Department (SFPD)
911 (emergency) or (415) 553-0123 (non-emergency): Report criminal elder abuse. - San Francisco District Attorney
(628) 652-4000: Prosecutes criminal elder abuse cases in San Francisco County. Visit website
Senior Advocacy & Support Organizations
These organizations provide resources, support, and advocacy for seniors and their families in San Francisco 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. - SF Department of Disability and Aging Services
City agency providing senior services, aging and disability programs, and advocacy resources for older adults in San Francisco. - National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
National advocacy group representing consumers of long-term care, providing information and tools for families.
California Elder Abuse Law
California law gives nursing home residents specific legal protections. Key laws that protect San Francisco 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.
Neighborhoods We Serve in San Francisco County
Our nursing home abuse attorneys represent families in every neighborhood and community across San Francisco County, including: