Best Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Santa Rosa

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Santa Rosa, California?

  For non-emergency concerns, contact the Santa Rosa Police at (707) 528-5222.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Santa Rosa, California?

  To get a copy of a police report, visit the Records Section located in the lobby of the Santa Rosa Police Department. The department is located at 965 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95404. The Records Section is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. except on holidays. To request the report copy, fill out and submit a Request For Inspection Or Copy Of Public Record form along with the $2 application fee. You will be informed if the copy is available for release in 10 days. You can also mail the completed request forms and fee to the Santa Rosa Police Department. You can go here to obtain a copy of the Public Record form: https://www.srcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/7622/Application-for-Record-Information-PDF?bidId=.

• When should you file a lawsuit for nursing home abuse in Santa Rosa?

  Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you need to file the lawsuit within two years of the incident of abuse or the victim's passing if the abuse led to wrongful death. The two-year statute of limitations may be adjusted for victims in Santa Rosa who were mentally or physically incapacitated by the harm suffered, or for those whose symptoms only manifested at a later time.

• Where can you report a suspected nursing home abuse case in Santa Rosa?

  If the elder is in immediate danger, call 911. If you suspect abuse or neglect of a nursing home resident, report to the following agencies in Sonoma County:

  • Long-term care ombudsman: (707) 526-4108.
  • Adult Protective Services 24-hour lines: (707) 565-5940 and (800) 667-0404. You can report the suspicion anonymously.
  • Santa Rosa Police: (707) 528-5222. You don’t have to have evidence to be able to report, but provide as many specific details as you can.

• Are you legally obligated to report elder abuse in a nursing home in Santa Rosa?

  Under California’s Welfare & Institutions Code for Elder Abuse, people who are “mandated reporters” are legally required to report elder abuse or neglect, both suspected and observed. Failure to do so can result in misdemeanor charges in Santa Rosa. Mandated reporters include health practitioners, care custodians, clergy people, law enforcement employees, and health and social service providers. Non-mandated reporters are also required to report if the victim tells them about the abuse.

• How does a “binding arbitration agreement” affect a nursing home abuse case in Santa Rosa?

  If a nursing home resident signed a binding arbitration agreement, it may be a hindrance to filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit because this particular agreement stipulates that if the resident is harmed in the facility, the resulting legal dispute must be settled through arbitration instead of going to court. If this is your situation, consult an experienced nursing home abuse attorney in Santa Rosa to determine your legal options.

• How common is nursing home abuse in Santa Rosa?

  The Senior Advocacy Services’ Ombudsman for Sonoma County, where Santa Rosa is located, received 949 reports of suspected abuse in nursing homes and elder care facilities. Meanwhile, 6,029 suspected elder abuse were reported to Adult Protective Services. These total 6,978 reports of elder abuse in the county for the year 2022. This is an increase of about 8% from the county’s 2021 statistics.