Santa Clara County
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Silicon Valley's wealth and innovation haven't protected its seniors from abuse and neglect. Our attorneys used to defend nursing homes, and we use that experience to fight for your family.
Elder Abuse in Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County is the heart of Silicon Valley. Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living and residential care homes serve seniors across the county.
Yet wealth and prestige do not shield seniors from abuse. The county's diverse immigrant senior population, many of whom face language barriers and cultural isolation, can be especially vulnerable to neglect and exploitation.
Tech workers' aging parents placed in local care facilities deserve the same vigilance as any medical decision. At California Nursing Home Law, attorneys Michael Young and Thomas Wallin have spent decades fighting for elder abuse victims. As former nursing home defense attorneys, they know how facilities defend abuse claims, and they use that insider knowledge to tear those defenses apart.
Types of Cases We Handle in Santa Clara County
Our attorneys represent Santa Clara County families in all types of nursing home abuse and neglect cases:
Nursing homes in Santa Clara County: every certified facility in the county, with its CMS star rating, inspection findings and citation history.
How to Report Elder Abuse in Santa Clara County
If you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected in a Santa Clara County nursing home or care facility, it is critical to act quickly. Contact the following agencies to file a report:
- Santa Clara County Adult Protective Services (APS)
(408) 975-4900: Report suspected abuse or neglect of elderly and dependent adults in Santa Clara County. - California Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Bay Area 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 Jose Police Department
911 (emergency) or (408) 277-3211 (non-emergency): Report criminal elder abuse. - Santa Clara County District Attorney
(408) 299-7400: Prosecutes criminal elder abuse cases in Santa Clara County. Visit website
Senior Advocacy & Support Organizations
These organizations provide resources, support, and advocacy for seniors and their families in Santa Clara 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. - Sourcewise, Santa Clara County Senior Services
Local nonprofit providing information, referrals, case management, and advocacy services for older adults and their caregivers in Santa Clara County. - Santa Clara County Department of Aging & Adult Services
County agency providing protective services, in-home support, and community resources for seniors and dependent adults.
California Elder Abuse Law
California law gives nursing home residents specific legal protections. Key laws that protect Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County
Our nursing home abuse attorneys represent families in every city and community across Santa Clara County, including: