You can report elder abuse in California to Adult Protective Services in the county where the person lives. You can report to the Long‑Term Care Ombudsman if the abuse occurs in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Documenting dates, names, and any observable injuries or missing funds can help with your report, as well as a civil claim.
A Los Angeles elder abuse lawyer can help you explore whether a civil claim may be available to pursue financial recovery related to abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Who to Contact to Report Elder Abuse and How to File a Report
When you suspect abuse in a nursing home or care facility, report it promptly to stop ongoing harm, create a clear record, and trigger investigations by safety agencies and law enforcement. A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can explore your options for taking legal action against a negligent nursing home once you have secured your loved one’s safety.
When a Loved One Is in Immediate Danger
If you believe your loved one is in immediate danger, calling emergency services may be appropriate. Request police and, if necessary, paramedics. Provide the resident’s location within the facility. You can ask for a copy of the report, or your lawyer can help obtain one to file a claim after you have secured your loved one’s safety.
Reporting to Your Loved One’s Local Ombudsman
You can file a complaint through your loved one’s Ombudsman office, which you can locate on the California Department of Aging website. Long-term care ombudsman programs help residents of assisted living facilities by advocating for their rights when complaints and violations arise.
Reporting to Your County’s Adult Protective Services
You can report concerns affecting your loved one to Adult Protective Services (APS) in the county where the facility is located. You can report elder abuse online or by calling 1-833-401-0832.
Reporting to Local Law Enforcement
Assaults, theft, threats, or financial exploitation of your loved one may warrant police involvement. Even if their life is not in immediate danger and you have already reported the previously mentioned agencies, you can file a report with your local police department.
A lawyer can help you submit supporting materials, such as MARs (medication administration records), incident logs, and witness contacts. Obtain the report number and a detective’s name.
Follow up by reporting elder abuse to:
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH): The CDPH’s Licensing and Certification Program regulates health care facilities in the state, including nursing homes.
- California Department of Social Services (Community Care Licensing): For assisted living facilities that do not provide medical care, such as a residential care facility, you can report elder abuse to California’s Community Care Licensing Division.
How to Report Elder Financial Abuse in California
Elder financial abuse in nursing homes can occur alongside other forms of elder abuse or in a stand-alone case. Staff or others may gain unauthorized access to debit cards or checkbooks. They might coerce account changes or forge signatures on facility documents.
Misuse of resident trust accounts is another red flag. Some residents are pressured to buy items or to “tip” for care that should already be included.
Notify the bank or credit union fraud department if you suspect elder financial abuse. Preserve account statements and suspicious communications. An attorney can also help you seek recovery for a loved one’s elder financial abuse.
Treble Damages in Financial Elder Abuse
In California, treble damages apply to financial elder abuse cases only. Courts may award up to three times the compensatory damages when the evidence shows wrongful taking or retention of an elder’s money or property for a wrongful use, with intent to defraud, or by undue influence.
Treble damages do not extend to claims based solely on physical abuse or neglect.
Filing Elder Abuse Civil Lawsuits
How long you have to sue for elder abuse depends on the specific harm your loved one endured.
For physical abuse or neglect, you generally have to file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the injury or of discovering the injury, per Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
For financial elder abuse, the statute of limitations is four years for any financial exploitation.
Our Lawyers Can Help You Report Elder Abuse in California and Seek Compensation
Reporting elder abuse can raise urgent questions about safety, accountability, and what comes next. A civil claim may provide a way to pursue financial recovery and hold responsible parties accountable.
Arias Sanguinetti brings over 300 years of combined experience to elder abuse litigation across California. If you want to understand your options after reporting abuse, we can walk through what a civil case may involve and whether legal action makes sense for your situation.
Call or text 310-844-9696 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
