FAQs

We represent individuals and families who have been seriously harmed by the negligence, abuse, or misconduct of institutions, caregivers, and others in positions of responsibility. Our areas of practice include:

• Elder Abuse & Neglect — Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse and neglect of elderly individuals by caregivers, facilities, or others in positions of trust.
• Dependent Adult Abuse & Neglect — Abuse or neglect of adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who have physical or mental limitations that restrict their ability to protect themselves.
• Financial Exploitation — Unauthorized or improper use of an elder or dependent adult’s money, property, or assets by a caregiver, family member, or other individual.
• Institutional Negligence — Failure by nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools, foster care systems, hospitals, or other institutions to meet the standard of care owed to those in their custody or care.
• Catastrophic Injury — Serious, life-altering injuries resulting from abuse, neglect, dangerous conditions, or institutional failure — including cases involving children, adults, and vulnerable individuals of any age.

If you’re not sure whether your situation falls within one of these areas, please contact us. We’re happy to talk through what happened and help you understand your options.

No. While a significant part of our practice focuses on elder and dependent adult abuse, we represent people of all ages who have been seriously harmed by the negligence or misconduct of an institution or caregiver. We have represented children who were sexually abused in schools or foster care, adults injured in catastrophic accidents, and younger patients harmed by nursing facility negligence. If you or someone you love has suffered serious harm at the hands of an institution or someone in a position of responsibility, we want to hear from you.

Denial is extremely common. Nursing homes and care facilities are businesses, and they have strong incentives — legal and financial — to minimize or dispute claims. A denial does not mean abuse or neglect didn’t happen. We know how to investigate these cases, gather evidence, and hold facilities accountable even when they push back. Our job is to cut through the denials and get to the truth.

If your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911 first.

For all other situations, you don’t have to wait. You can contact us at any time, even before making a formal report to Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, or any other agency. In some situations, we may advise you on the most effective sequence of steps. Reporting and pursuing a legal claim are not mutually exclusive — both can move forward simultaneously, and one does not prevent the other.

The vast majority of our cases are contingency fee cases, which means our clients pay no costs or fees unless we win a recovery for them. Our firm will cover the costs of the lawsuit as we litigate the case. Our contingency fee is an industry standard percentage of the recovery, which we are paid as a fee, and our costs are reimbursed when we make a recovery for our clients.

The first conversation is free. So is everything after it — unless we recover compensation for you and your family. You have nothing to lose by calling us.

Every case is different, and fee arrangements can vary depending on the nature and complexity of your situation.

Every case is different, and timelines can vary depending on the complexity of the facts, the number of parties involved, and whether a case settles or goes to trial. Some cases resolve in a matter of months; others may take a year or more. What we can tell you is that we move cases forward as efficiently as possible — particularly when a loved one’s health or safety is still at risk. We’ll give you a realistic picture of what to expect during your consultation.

Yes. California law imposes strict deadlines — called statutes of limitations — on elder abuse and personal injury claims. Waiting too long can permanently bar you from pursuing legal action, regardless of how strong your case is. If you suspect abuse or neglect, it’s important to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible to make sure your rights are protected.

We are deeply sorry for your loss. Even if your loved one has died, it may still be possible to pursue a legal claim on behalf of their estate. California law allows surviving family members to bring claims for elder abuse, neglect, and wrongful death in certain circumstances. Please contact us — we can help you understand your options.

You don’t need to have everything organized before you call us — that’s what we’re here for. But if you have them available, it’s helpful to bring or have on hand any photos of injuries or living conditions, medical records or incident reports, correspondence with the facility or care provider, financial statements if financial exploitation is involved, and the names and contact information of any witnesses. Don’t worry if you don’t have all of this — we can help you gather what’s needed.

The majority of elder abuse and neglect cases are resolved through settlement before trial, which spares families from a lengthy court process. However, we prepare every case as though it will go to trial, because that preparation is what puts us in the strongest negotiating position. If a fair resolution cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take the case to court and fight for the outcome your family deserves.

Abuse and neglect don’t only happen in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. We also handle cases involving in-home caregivers, family members, or other individuals in positions of trust. If your loved one was harmed by someone responsible for their care — wherever that care took place — we want to hear from you.

Call us at (831) 515-7007 or submit a Free Case Evaluation form on our website. All consultations are free, confidential, and carry no obligation. We serve families throughout California, and we are here to help — in English and Spanish.