When a loved one is living in a nursing home, you place enormous trust in the facility. If you suspect neglect or mistreatment, you may feel angry, anxious, and unsure about your next steps.
A nursing home abuse lawyer serving San Mateo from Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys can help you protect your family member, report concerns, and pursue a civil claim for accountability and compensation. Our personal injury lawyer serving San Mateo can help you hold the liable parties accountable.
Compassionate Legal Help for Nursing Home Abuse
You want your loved one safe, heard, and respected. Our nursing home abuse lawyers serving San Mateo start by listening to you, reviewing records, and mapping out a plan that puts resident safety first. If immediate risk exists, we can help you report the situation and request interventions while we begin the civil case evaluation.
We handle elder abuse and neglect cases throughout San Mateo County. Our work includes investigating facility practices, preserving proof, and pursuing claims against owners, management companies, and any responsible third parties. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee, so you pay attorneys’ fees only if we recover compensation.
Warning Signs of Abuse and Neglect
Abuse and neglect can present in subtle ways at first. Pay attention to changes in behavior, appearance, and medical status, especially when staff explanations do not match what you observe. Common warning signs include:
- Unexplained bruises, fractures, or frequent falls
- Pressure ulcers, infections, or untreated wounds
- Sudden weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition
- Overmedication, missed medications, or confusion tied to drug changes
- Poor hygiene, soiled bedding, or strong odors of urine or feces
- Fearful behavior, withdrawal, or agitation around certain staff or residents
If you notice one or more of these signs, document what you see with dates, photos, and names of staff involved. Even small details can help build a strong timeline of what happened. One of our founding partners, Robin Saghian, understands how a loved one suffering abuse can affect your livelihood, and we are here to help.
What to Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse
Acting quickly can protect your loved one and preserve proof. If the resident is in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, consider these steps to document and report concerns while we evaluate your legal options:
- Photograph injuries, unclean rooms, or hazardous conditions
- Request a copy of the care plan and recent nursing notes
- Keep a log of conversations with staff and administrators
- Ask for an immediate care conference to address specific issues
- Report concerns to the Ombudsman or Adult Protective Services and request a case number
We can draft preservation letters to stop the facility from deleting video, overwriting electronic records, or discarding logs. Early action can prevent evidence from disappearing.
How We Build Your San Mateo Nursing Home Abuse Case
Our investigation begins with records: medical charts, care plans, medication administration records, incident reports, and hospital transfers. We look for gaps in charting, late entries, inconsistent narratives, and signs of understaffing. When appropriate, we work with geriatric medicine and nursing professionals to evaluate the standard of care.
We also examine staffing schedules, training files, and prior survey results. Patterns of short staffing, high turnover, or repeat violations can show systemic failings. Witness interviews with former staff and other residents’ families may reveal routine practices that put residents at risk.
If your case involves bedsores, falls, wandering, or medication errors, we analyze risk assessments, preventive measures, and whether basic safety protocols were followed. The goal is to connect policy-level decisions to the harm your loved one suffered.
Damages Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Serving San Mateo Can Recover
Compensation depends on the nature and extent of harm. In many cases, damages may include medical bills, costs of future care, and pain and suffering. California law can allow punitive damages in cases involving malice, oppression, or fraud, which are rare but possible with strong proof.
Families pursuing wrongful death cases can seek damages for the loss of a loved one, including funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and related harms. Our nursing home abuse lawyers serving San Mateo can discuss available damages in your consultation and explain how they apply to your case.
Since 2016, our team has recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Our case results page can help you further understand our recoveries.
Filing a Nursing Home Abuse Claim in San Mateo
Every case has filing deadlines. California personal injury and wrongful death claims must be filed within two years.
Claims involving a public entity may require a government claim within six months before filing a lawsuit. Different timelines may apply based on the facts, so early legal guidance helps protect your rights.
Our process is straightforward. We start with a free consultation, gather records, and send preservation and notice letters while we continue investigating. If settlement talks do not resolve the matter, we can file a complaint in San Mateo County Superior Court and proceed through discovery, depositions, mediation, and, if needed, trial.
Local Resources for Families
Families benefit from quick access to local support. Adult Protective Services (APS) accepts reports for vulnerable adults in the county. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program assists residents in nursing homes and can investigate complaints, help resolve issues with administrators, and visit facilities in person.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) oversees licensing and conducts investigations when a facility violates state or federal rules. For immediate threats, contact local law enforcement or emergency services. We can provide agency contacts and links during your consultation and help you report concerns in a way that protects your loved one.
Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Serving San Mateo
If you suspect abuse or neglect at your loved one’s facility, our nursing home abuse lawyers serving San Mateo are ready to help you take action.
Contact Omega Law Group to discuss your case in a free consultation.