Learning that your loved one has been mistreated in a nursing facility you trusted to keep them safe is heartbreaking. California offers multiple avenues for reporting suspected nursing home abuse. If you suspect your loved one is receiving poor quality of care or mistreatment in a long-term care facility, report it immediately, even if you do not have proof or are less than 100 percent certain.
You don’t have to go through this alone. Our dedicated California nursing home abuse lawyers can help you understand how to report nursing home abuse in California and protect your loved one.
Reporting Elder Abuse in California: A Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you are a family member, friend, or concerned visitor, California law allows you to file a complaint against a nursing home when you suspect abuse. Nursing home abuse occurs in many different forms, and each form has certain signs and symptoms to look for, such as the following:
- Physical abuse: Unexplained bruises, broken bones, frequent emergency department visits, fear of staff
- Verbal abuse: Social withdrawal, loss of confidence, fear of staff, depression, increased agitation
- Emotional abuse: Anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, personality changes, health decline
- Sexual abuse: Difficulty walking or sitting, sexually transmitted infections, unexplained fear or anxiety, torn clothing, bleeding in the genital or anal areas
- Neglect: Bedsores, poor hygiene, unexplained weight loss, frequent falls, wandering and elopement, unkempt appearance, frequent infections
If you notice any of these signs, the resident may be experiencing abuse or neglect. Err on the side of caution and take steps to report it.
Step 1. Gather Information and Evidence
Before you file your complaint, document what you have observed. Gather the following information to the best of your ability:
- Name and address of the facility
- Your loved one’s personal information
- Dates and times of the incidents
- Names of witnesses, such as other residents and paramedics
- Names of staff members involved
- Photographs of injuries
- Photographs of conditions, such as a dirty bathroom
- Medical records and care plans
- A written log of your observations
If you do not have all of this information, you can still file your report. You do not need proof to file a nursing home abuse complaint. A reasonable suspicion is enough.
Step 2. Contact the Appropriate Authorities
Notify the facility’s administration or the state agency responsible for overseeing the facility. The appropriate agency varies based on the nature of the abuse and the type of facility. If your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911.
Nursing homes are required to investigate all reports of abuse and report them to the California Department of Health. However, it is essential to file your own report to ensure the facility complies with the requirements and remains accountable. You can also file your report with the appropriate agency without notifying the facility’s administrator. You have a right to remain anonymous when you file your report.
Step 3. Follow Up On Your Report
When you report suspected abuse to the appropriate agencies, each will investigate and notify you of its findings. Timelines and procedures vary by agency. Request the case number and the name and contact information of the investigator assigned to the case. Follow up with the agency if you do not hear back within a reasonable time.
Where to Report Nursing Home Abuse in California
California offers multiple options for reporting nursing home abuse, which vary depending on the nature of the abuse and the type of facility. You may also be able to file a report with multiple agencies, allowing them to collaborate. This can make it easier to substantiate the abuse and hold the facility accountable.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a federally funded program that advocates for residents of long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and care homes. While the ombudsman’s office does not have direct authority over facilities, it can investigate abuse, advocate for residents’ daily needs, and assist families in reporting abuse.
The California Department of Aging operates local ombudsman programs throughout the state through the Area Agencies on Aging. You can find the contact information for your local ombudsman through the Department of Aging’s statewide directory. You can also call the statewide CRISIS Line at 1-800-231-4024.
California Department of Social Services
The California Department of Social Services handles complaints against assisted living facilities and other board and care homes for the elderly. To file a complaint, call 1-844-438-8766 or send an email to letusno@dss.ca.gov. You can also file a complaint through the Department’s online portal. The Department also recommends calling the Long-Term Care Ombudsman for additional advocacy and support throughout the process.
Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services, or APS, handles complaints about abuse of adults ages 60 and older and dependent adults ages 18 through 59 in private home and hospital settings. To report abuse, call the statewide 24-hour state hotline at 1-833-401-0832 or call your local APS office. You can find contact information for your local APS office through its county website directory.
California Department of Public Health
The California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, is the primary state agency responsible for licensing, inspecting, and regulating skilled nursing facilities. The Department of Health accepts complaints online, over the phone, by fax, or via email. To file a complaint online, visit the Cal Health Find complaint site. To file by phone, contact the district office for your loved one’s facility or call 1-800-554-0354.
Once you file your CDPH nursing home complaint, you are entitled to receive the name and contact information of the investigator within two days and to be present when the investigator visits the facility. The investigator must perform the site visit within 10 days of your report. The California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, or CANHR, recommends calling the investigator to ensure they understand your concerns.
Did You Know?
The California Department of Public Health reported that it received over 13,001 complaints in Fiscal Year 2024-25. However, these complaints only represent a small portion of the incidents of nursing home abuse. Research suggests that for every reported case of mistreatment at long-term care facilities, five more cases are undisclosed and undetected by the authorities.
California Office of the Attorney General
The Division of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse at the Attorney General’s Office investigates and prosecutes nursing home abuse and neglect. The Attorney General accepts cases involving physical abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect. You can file a complaint by phone, email, or mail.
To file a complaint over the phone, call the toll-free complaint line at 1-800-722-0422. To file by email, complete the Attorney General’s contact form and submit your information.
You can also file a complaint by mail to the following address:
California Department of Justice
Division of Medi-Cal Fraud Elder Abuse
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
Include a detailed description of what happened, the names of staff, dates, places, your name and contact information, your loved one’s name, and the full name and address of the facility.
Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Nursing home abuse is often a criminal offense. If you suspect physical, sexual, or financial abuse, contact your local police department or sheriff’s office to report a crime. This may trigger a criminal investigation. Calling law enforcement, in addition to the other agencies, can strengthen your report and ensure the responsible individuals, as well as the facility, are held accountable.
Why It’s Important to Report Nursing Home Abuse
Reporting nursing home abuse is often the only effective way to stop nursing home abuse, particularly if you are unable to move your loved one to another facility. Your loved one may be unable to tell you about the abuse because of cognitive challenges or intimidation.
An investigation can uncover the full extent of the abuse and the resulting harm. It can also provide valuable evidence to support a nursing home abuse lawsuit.
Empowering Others and Bringing About Change
Reporting abuse goes beyond protecting your loved one. It helps other families make informed decisions and gives them confidence to come forward when they suspect abuse. It provides a written record and an added layer of accountability that can ultimately stop nursing home abuse through public outrage and legislative change.
When the CDPH investigates an abuse allegation, it publishes the complaint and findings on its website, while maintaining the confidentiality of the victim’s identity. If inspectors corroborate abuse, the facility can receive fines and sanctions. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also publishes these findings and uses a red hand icon to warn others about the facility’s history of abuse. A facility with a history of frequent abuse violations can lose its license.
With over 75 years of combined experience, our attorneys can help you file your report, provide emotional support, and pursue justice and compensation for your loved one’s nursing home abuse injuries.
Support Resources for Victims of Nursing Home Abuse and Their Families
Several independent organizations work to protect nursing home residents in California through direct assistance, research, and advocacy for systemic change:
- California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, or CANHR: A state advocacy organization that provides complaint assistance and step-by-step guidance
- National Center on Elder Abuse, or NCEA: A national resource center dedicated to preventing elder abuse by providing information and pushing for policy change
- Justice in Aging: A national organization that fights for legislative change to protect vulnerable adults through administrative advocacy, litigation, and training
At Lanzone Morgan, LLP, we are dedicated to informing families about how to report nursing home abuse in California. We provide emotional support, counseling, legal representation, and resources to help families protect their loved ones. Our firm has recovered over $250 million in nursing home abuse settlements and verdicts for victims and their families.
If you suspect your loved one has experienced abuse or neglect in a California nursing home, contact us online or call 888-887-9777 today for a free case evaluation.
FAQs
Can I Report Nursing Home Abuse Anonymously?
Yes, under California Health & Safety Code § 1432(h), you have a right to remain anonymous when reporting nursing home abuse to CDPH. However, remaining anonymous can make it more difficult for authorities to substantiate the abuse if they need more information.
One option is to disclose your identity to the agency, but request that the agency withhold your identity from the facility. California Health & Safety Code § 1419(e) prohibits the California Department of Public Health from disclosing your name to the facility unless you request it be disclosed.
Do I Need Proof Before Making a Report?
No, you do not need proof to report nursing home abuse. You only need a reasonable suspicion or even a gut feeling that something is wrong. If you wait until you have definitive proof, abuse could continue unchecked for a prolonged period. Many people are hesitant to report abuse for fear of retaliation. However, when you work with our firm, it puts the nursing home on notice that if anything happens to your loved one, it will be held accountable.
Can I File Multiple Complaints if New Issues Arise?
Yes, you can and should file multiple complaints if new incidents of abuse or neglect occur. Reporting new issues while an investigation is ongoing can help support the initial report and demonstrate a pattern of abuse that state regulators must take more seriously. Each additional complaint can result in additional citations, fines, and sanctions against the facility. This brings about increased government scrutiny and can help support a nursing home abuse lawsuit should you choose to file one.
How Do I Know if My Loved One’s Situation Qualifies as Elder Abuse?
When in doubt, err on the side of caution and report the issue. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman can investigate and provide guidance and support. Keep in mind that not all nursing home abuse involves physical assault. Nursing home abuse can be physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, financial, or neglect.
If you notice health declines, unexplained injuries, unusual depression or anxiety, weight loss, frequent falls, poor hygiene, or bedsores, these are hallmark signs of abuse and neglect. If your loved one experiences frequent admissions to the emergency room or the nursing home stops talking to you, you are right to be concerned and should consider reporting.
Can Our Family Pursue Legal Action Against A Nursing Home For Elder Abuse?
Yes, the California Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act gives residents and their families the right to pursue civil damages for nursing home abuse or neglect.
Damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, the costs of transferring to another facility, pain and suffering, emotional distress, attorney fees, court costs, punitive damages, and more.
The following content has been legally reviewed and approved by nursing home abuse attorney Anthony Lanzone. Anthony holds notable memberships with professional organizations including the American Association for Justice and Consumer Attorneys of California.