Sonoma County
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Many Sonoma County seniors depend on local care facilities. Our attorneys used to defend nursing homes, and we use that experience to fight for your family.
Elder Abuse in Sonoma County
Sonoma County is part of California's Wine Country. The county is a retirement destination that attracts retirees from across the state and nation.
Sonoma County families face particular challenges in elder care. Rural communities spread across the county often have limited care options, forcing families to accept whatever facility is available. The devastating wildfires that have struck Sonoma County in recent years have displaced seniors from their facilities, creating chaos and further exposing vulnerable residents to neglect and abuse.
At California Nursing Home Law, attorneys Michael Young and Thomas Wallin have spent decades fighting for elder abuse victims across Northern California, including Sonoma County. 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 Sonoma County
Our attorneys represent Sonoma County families in all types of nursing home abuse and neglect cases:
Nursing homes in Sonoma County: every certified facility in the county, with its CMS star rating, inspection findings and citation history.
How to Report Elder Abuse in Sonoma County
If you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected in a Sonoma County nursing home or care facility, it is critical to act quickly. Contact the following agencies to file a report:
- Sonoma County Adult Protective Services (APS)
(707) 565-5940: Report suspected abuse or neglect of elderly and dependent adults in Sonoma County. - California Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Sonoma 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 - Sonoma County District Attorney
(707) 565-2311: Prosecutes criminal elder abuse cases in Sonoma County. Visit website
Senior Advocacy & Support Organizations
These organizations provide resources, support, and advocacy for seniors and their families in Sonoma 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. - Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging
County agency providing senior services, caregiver support, nutrition programs, and advocacy for older adults throughout Sonoma County.
California Elder Abuse Law
California law gives nursing home residents specific legal protections. Key laws that protect Sonoma 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 Sonoma County
Our nursing home abuse attorneys represent families in every city and community across Sonoma County, including: