Absolutely. Your priority should be the safety and well-being of the senior. Moving to a different facility does not negatively impact your legal case; in fact, our team can help ensure that all medical documentation is preserved during the move.
Yes. If an Oakland facility’s management intentionally maintains staffing levels that are too low to provide safe care—usually to maximize profits—it is considered reckless neglect under California law.
Families can seek recovery for medical bills, physical pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and funeral expenses. In cases involving extreme corporate negligence, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the facility and prevent future harm.
Most specialized attorneys, including those at Stebner, Gertler, & Guadagni, operate on a 100% contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs or hourly fees; our firm only receives payment if we successfully recover a settlement or jury award for you.
The Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA) provides enhanced remedies, including the ability to recover damages for a victim's pain and suffering and the reimbursement of attorney’s fees in cases of proven recklessness or fraud.
Generally, you have two years from the date of the injury to file. However, because critical evidence in Oakland facilities—such as surveillance footage and staffing rosters—can be lost or destroyed, it is vital to begin the legal process as soon as possible.
Yes. If the facility failed to implement a safety protocol or lacked the staff to provide necessary supervision for a high-risk resident, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim to hold the institution accountable.
Formal complaints are filed with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) East Bay District Office. This agency is responsible for investigating regulatory violations and issuing citations to facilities in the Oakland area.
Common red flags include Stage III or IV bedsores, frequent "accidental" falls, rapid weight loss, and recurring infections like UTIs. In Oakland facilities, these are frequently indicators of systemic understaffing rather than isolated medical issues.
Contact Alameda County Adult Protective Services at (510) 577-3500 or the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at (510) 638-6878. For immediate emergencies involving physical danger within an Oakland facility, call 911 or the Oakland Police Department right away.
