Yes, in many cases you can still pursue a lawsuit. Many large assisted living corporations embed mandatory arbitration clauses in their initial admission paperwork to prevent families from taking them to court. However, California courts frequently throw out these agreements if they are deemed unconscionable, improperly executed, signed by a family member who lacked explicit legal power of attorney, or if the case involves egregious, reckless elder neglect. A Santa Rosa assisted living abuse attorney can evaluate your contract to see if the clause can be bypassed.
