12 Best Attorneys for Senior Abuse Near Me Budget Seniors, February 18, 2026February 26, 2026 Key Takeaways 💡 How common is elder abuse, really? About 1 in 10 older adults who live at home experience some form of abuse, including neglect and exploitation. Most of it never gets reported. Who usually commits the abuse? Most perpetrators are people the senior already knows. Known others — friends, family members, or caregivers — account for 72% of elder financial exploitation, stealing $20.3 billion per year. How much money are seniors losing? Older Americans lose an estimated $28.3 billion annually to elder financial exploitation alone, and 87.5% of victims exploited by someone they know never report it to authorities. What can an attorney actually do? An elder abuse attorney can investigate, gather evidence, file civil lawsuits, negotiate settlements, and take cases to trial. The average nursing home abuse settlement is around $400,000, though many families receive over $1 million. Do I need money upfront? No. Nearly every firm on this list works on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless they win. How fast do I need to act? Urgently. Most states have a 2–3 year statute of limitations for elder abuse claims, and evidence disappears fast. The Number That Should Make You Stop Scrolling Right Now Americans 60 and older reported $4.9 billion in fraud losses in 2024 alone, according to the FBI — but that figure likely represents just a fraction of the actual amount, since many victims are too embarrassed or doubtful to come forward. And that’s just fraud. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, and institutional neglect add a staggering human toll on top of the financial one. Studies estimate that roughly only 1 in every 14 to 24 cases of elder abuse is ever reported to police, which means the true scale of what’s happening to seniors in homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing centers dwarfs any official statistic you’ll ever see. The DOJ’s own data underscores how seriously the federal government now takes this: from July 2023 through June 2024, the Department of Justice brought over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants charged with stealing nearly $700 million from over 225,000 older victims. But government prosecution and your family’s civil case are two completely separate tracks. Criminal charges punish the abuser. A civil lawsuit compensates your loved one — and that requires hiring the right attorney. What Counts as “Senior Abuse” in a Legal Claim? (The Answer Is Broader Than You Think) Most people picture bruises or broken bones when they hear “elder abuse.” But the legal definition is far wider and, frankly, far more useful to families seeking justice. The National Center on Elder Abuse, operating under the U.S. Administration for Community Living, recognizes the following categories, each of which can support a civil lawsuit: Physical abuse involves any use of force that causes bodily injury — hitting, pushing, improper use of chemical or physical restraints, or rough handling during daily care. Financial exploitation covers unauthorized use of a senior’s money, property, or assets — including forged signatures, undue influence over a will, power of attorney misuse, and outright theft. Neglect is the failure to provide basic necessities — food, hydration, medical care, hygiene, or protection from known hazards. In February 2024, a Beverly Grove nursing home was ordered to pay over $2.3 million to an 84-year-old woman who suffered neglect and abuse during post-surgery care, resulting in a fractured shoulder and pelvis. Emotional and psychological abuse includes intimidation, isolation from family, humiliation, and verbal threats. Sexual abuse refers to any non-consensual sexual contact, including cases where the resident cannot legally consent due to cognitive decline. Wrongful death — the most devastating outcome — occurs when abuse or neglect directly causes a senior’s death, and can generate the largest legal awards. 🔍 Type of AbuseCommon Signs⚖️ Legal Action🤕 PhysicalUnexplained bruising, fractures, flinchingPersonal injury lawsuit💸 FinancialSudden account changes, missing assetsCivil fraud claim, theft restitution🚫 NeglectBedsores, malnutrition, poor hygieneNegligence/malpractice claim😔 EmotionalWithdrawal, fear, sudden depressionCivil rights / dignity violation claim💀 Wrongful DeathPreventable death in care facilityWrongful death lawsuit🔞 SexualUnexplained injuries, behavioral changesCriminal + civil claims simultaneously Morgan & Morgan — Best for Families Who Need a Legal Army Behind Them 🦁 When the nursing home’s defense lawyers show up with a full team, you want someone who can match them person-for-person. Morgan & Morgan is the largest personal injury law firm in the United States by attorney count, with over 1,000 trial-ready lawyers nationwide — a genuine organizational advantage when going up against the corporate structures that own most nursing homes and assisted living chains. Discover Best Car Insurance Rates for SeniorsMorgan & Morgan operates on a strict “Fee Is Free” contingency model, meaning you only pay if they win. They handle physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and wrongful death cases in virtually every state. 🏢 DetailInfo💡 Pro Tip📞 Phone1-877-667-4265Available 24/7🌐 States CoveredAll 50 statesNo matter where the facility is💰 Fee StructureContingency onlyNo upfront costs, ever🔍 Case TypesAll elder abuse typesIncluding financial exploitation⭐ Known ForSheer legal firepowerIdeal for complex multi-defendant cases Pro Tip: Morgan & Morgan has local offices in dozens of cities, so despite being a national firm, you can often meet with an attorney in person. Always request a local licensed attorney for your state. Sokolove Law — Best for Families with No Legal Experience Who Need a Trusted Guide 🤝 Over the past 45+ years, Sokolove Law has helped victims of elder abuse and their families secure more than $318 million. What makes Sokolove stand out isn’t just the dollar figure — it’s their infrastructure. When you call, a dedicated case manager is assigned to walk you through every step, answer every question, and keep you updated. For families navigating their first lawsuit while simultaneously managing a loved one’s care, this communication model makes an enormous difference. The average nursing home neglect settlement nationwide is around $400,000, and Sokolove has recovered much higher amounts, with many families receiving over $1 million. 🏢 DetailInfo💡 Pro Tip📞 Phone1-800-995-1212Free case review available🌐 States CoveredAll 50 statesLicensed attorneys in nearly every state💰 Fee StructureContingency onlyZero out-of-pocket costs📋 SpecialtyNursing home abuse, elder abuse45+ years dedicated to this field🏆 Total Recovered$318+ millionOne of the highest in the industry Pro Tip: Sokolove’s team is particularly skilled at identifying abuse that was disguised as “natural decline.” If your loved one deteriorated rapidly in a facility, call them even if you’re uncertain whether legal action is warranted. Lanzone Morgan, LLP — Best for California Families Seeking Record-Breaking Results 🌴 Lanzone Morgan has been awarded the 2025 Top Verdict in California for nursing malpractice, elder abuse, bedsores, and elder law, and has over 75 years of combined experience in nursing home and elder abuse litigation. They’ve recovered over $250 million for vulnerable adults statewide. What distinguishes Lanzone Morgan from generalist firms is depth — they handle nothing but elder abuse and nursing home neglect. Both founding partners are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and have been recognized as Top 10 Nursing Home Trial Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers. These are not accolades a firm receives by dabbling in elder cases between car accident claims. 🏢 DetailInfo💡 Pro Tip📞 Phone1-888-887-9777Free initial case evaluation🌐 States CoveredCalifornia (statewide)Handles rural and urban CA equally💰 Fee StructureContingency onlyNo payment unless you win🏆 Total Recovered$250+ million for CA clientsBenchmark results in elder law⚖️ Supreme Court WinYes (CA Supreme Court, arbitration rights)Legally pioneered protections for seniors Pro Tip: If a nursing home tried to get your loved one to sign an arbitration agreement upon admission, Lanzone Morgan may be able to challenge it. Their attorneys recently prevailed in the California Supreme Court, securing an opinion that the agent under a Durable Health Care Power of Attorney cannot waive a resident’s right to trial by signing an arbitration agreement. Garcia & Coman — Best for Families Facing the Largest Nursing Home Corporations 🔥 Founded in 1993, Garcia & Coman has established one of the most remarkable track records in elder abuse litigation in the country. Their results include the largest Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act settlement in California history, totaling $38.6 million, along with a $19.5 million arbitration award and more than $3 billion in recoveries across actions in which they’ve served as counsel. Discover 12 Best Monitoring Devices for SeniorsThis is the firm you call when your opponent is a national nursing home chain with an in-house legal team and unlimited resources. Garcia & Coman has offices in Long Beach, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and New Orleans, and takes cases nationwide. 🏢 DetailInfo💡 Pro Tip📞 Phone1-866-489-8797Free, confidential consultation🌐 States CoveredCA, AZ, LA + nationalRegional offices + national reach💰 Fee StructureContingency onlyNot paid unless you win🏆 Largest Settlement$38.6 million (EADACPA, CA)Historic elder abuse result🎖️ Founding PartnerStephen M. Garcia (30+ years)Testified before legislators on elder law Pro Tip: Garcia & Coman’s attorneys have testified in front of legislators on nursing home abuse, which means they understand the political and systemic forces enabling abuse — a perspective that makes their courtroom arguments unusually compelling. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm — Best for Families in Any State Who Want Proven National Reach 🗺️ In more than two decades, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm has represented clients in virtually every state, and their attorneys are able to take cases nationwide through bar reciprocity, court approval, or local co-counsel arrangements. This is critical for families whose loved ones were abused while living in a different state. Their case results include $1 million for an elderly woman sexually assaulted by a rehabilitation center employee, $917,000 for a man who died after not receiving chemotherapy medication, and $450,000 for a woman whose bedsores were so severe that her leg required amputation. 🏢 DetailInfo💡 Pro Tip📞 Phone1-800-842-6336Free case evaluation available🌐 States CoveredVirtually all 50 statesTrue national reach💰 Fee StructureContingency onlyNo fees unless you win📋 SpecialtyNursing home abuse, bedsores, wrongful death20+ years dedicated practice🧳 Out-of-State CasesFully accommodatedIdeal for cross-state family situations Pro Tip: If your loved one is in a different state from the rest of the family, Pintas & Mullins can accommodate long-distance cases without requiring you to physically travel to attorney meetings in most circumstances. Nursing Home Law Center — Best for Evidence-Driven, Detail-Focused Case Building 🔬 The Nursing Home Law Center is a specialist firm that approaches elder abuse litigation with a forensic mindset. Their attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you never owe fees unless they successfully recover compensation for you, and you can book a free consultation by calling them directly. They are particularly effective in cases involving bedsores (pressure ulcers), medication errors, fall injuries, and infection deaths — injuries that are often dismissed by facilities as inevitable but are, in most cases, direct evidence of neglect. Their legal partners have collectively recovered over $318 million for nursing home harm victims nationwide. 🏢 DetailInfo💡 Pro Tip📞 Phone1-800-926-7565Free consultation 24/7🌐 States CoveredNationwide through partner attorneysAccess to top attorneys in every state💰 Fee StructureContingency onlyNo payment without a win🔍 Strongest CasesBedsores, infections, falls, wrongful deathMeticulous evidence documentation📸 What to BringPhotos, medical records, incident reportsGather before your first call Pro Tip: Before calling any attorney, photograph all visible injuries on your loved one and request a copy of the facility’s most recent inspection report from Medicare.gov. This doubles the strength of your initial consultation. Senior Justice Law Firm — Best for Families Who Want One-on-One Attention, Not a Factory 🫶 Senior Justice Law Firm is smaller by design — and that’s a deliberate strategy. With more than half a century of combined courtroom experience, their attorneys have recovered tens of millions for wrongfully injured clients, and they provide 1-on-1 lawyer attention for every case, keeping clients informed and involved throughout the entire process. Their narrow specialization — focused entirely on nursing home abuse, assisted living neglect, and elder injury claims — means the attorneys on your case have seen the same corporate defendants and defense tactics before, which translates to faster and stronger case development. 🏢 DetailInfo💡 Pro Tip📞 Phone1-888-375-9998Live chat also available🌐 States CoveredMultiple states, including PAVirtual appointments available💰 Fee StructureContingency onlyZero out-of-pocket costs🧑⚖️ ApproachOne-on-one, not high-volumeYou always speak to your actual attorney🏥 Strong InBedsores, falls, infections, wrongful death50%+ of cases involve pressure injuries Pro Tip: Senior Justice is one of the few firms that will come to you if you cannot travel to their office — a meaningful accommodation for families caring for a loved one while simultaneously managing a legal claim. Discover Spectrum Packages for Seniors Levin & Perconti — Best for Illinois Families Who Want the Firm That Helped Write the Law 📜 Founder Steven Levin has been dedicated to helping people injured by others’ negligence since 1976 and is one of the first attorneys in the U.S. to prosecute nursing homes for abuse and negligence. He also helped write new legislation governing nursing home operations, including the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act. Levin & Perconti has obtained the top three jury verdicts in nursing home negligence cases in Illinois history, including a $4.1 million verdict for medication mismanagement — the highest Illinois Nursing Home Care Act verdict in years. When you hire them, you’re hiring attorneys who didn’t just learn elder law from a textbook — they helped create it. 🏢 DetailInfo💡 Pro Tip📞 Phone1-312-332-2872Chicago office, IL statewide coverage🌐 States CoveredIllinois (primary focus)Contact for out-of-state referrals💰 Fee StructureContingency onlyFree initial consultation🏆 Top Verdicts3 of the highest nursing home verdicts in ILRespected by defense attorneys⚖️ Legislative ImpactHelped write IL Nursing Home Care ActUniquely positioned legal authority Pro Tip: Levin & Perconti’s co-counsel relationships mean they can refer complex cases to trusted partners in other states. If you’re in Illinois but the abuse happened elsewhere, call them anyway. Levin Papantonio — Best for Complex, Multi-Party Elder Abuse Cases With Large Financial Stakes 💼 Levin Papantonio, based in Pensacola, Florida, is a nationally recognized litigation firm that tackles complex elder abuse cases — particularly those involving large facilities, systemic neglect, or class action potential. They are dedicated to helping elders and their loved ones who have been victims of intentional or negligent abuse, whether the abuse is physical, emotional, or financial. What separates Levin Papantonio is their infrastructure for large-scale litigation. They have successfully handled mass tort cases involving corporate defendants and bring that level of organizational sophistication to elder abuse claims. They are available nationally and handle cases involving nursing homes, home health aides, assisted living facilities, and individual caregiver abuse. 🏢 DetailInfo💡 Pro Tip📞 Phone1-850-435-7000Pensacola, FL — national cases accepted🌐 States CoveredNationwideStrong in Florida + Southeast💰 Fee StructureContingency onlyNo upfront cost🏢 Best Suited ForComplex multi-party cases, large facilitiesClass action eligible cases⭐ Known ForMass tort infrastructureIdeal when multiple residents were harmed Pro Tip: If you suspect that the abuse happening to your loved one is also happening to other residents in the same facility, mention this during your consultation. It may elevate the case to class action status — which dramatically increases the pressure on the facility and can result in facility-wide reforms. Brown Chiari LLP — Best for Elder Financial Exploitation in New York 💳 Brown Chiari LLP’s elder law attorneys take a multidisciplinary approach to financial abuse cases, working closely with forensic accountants, financial institutions, and other professionals to uncover fraud and recover misappropriated funds. This forensic, team-based approach matters enormously in financial exploitation cases, where the evidence is often buried in account statements, wire transfer records, amended estate documents, and credit card histories that the average attorney wouldn’t know how to read. They serve clients throughout New York state and offer free initial consultations. Several attorneys at Brown Chiari have been named Super Lawyers, a peer-reviewed distinction reflecting excellence in the field. 🏢 DetailInfo💡 Pro Tip📞 Phone1-716-681-7190Rochester, NY — statewide coverage🌐 States CoveredNew York (primary)Financial exploitation specialist💰 Fee StructureContingency availableFree initial consultation🔍 Forensic ApproachForensic accountants + legal teamFollows the money trail others miss📋 New York LawNY Elder Abuse Prevention Act protectionsCivil + criminal proceedings available Pro Tip: If a family member recently changed your loved one’s will, power of attorney, or added themselves to bank accounts, document every change with dates and request bank records immediately. Financial exploitation cases live and die by the paper trail. Wilkes & Associates — Best for Families Who Want Elder Law Pioneers With Decades of Experience 🏛️ When Wilkes & Associates opened its doors in 1985, nursing home abuse and neglect lawsuits scarcely existed. Their attorneys have since been recognized nationally as “pioneers” in nursing home abuse and neglect litigation, and were among the first law firms to hold nursing homes accountable for abusing residents. That 40-year head start matters. Wilkes & Associates has faced the same major nursing home corporations repeatedly, which means they understand how those corporations defend lawsuits, what settlement ranges they typically accept, and where in their documentation the most damaging evidence hides. They operate out of Tampa, Florida, with offices in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. 🏢 DetailInfo💡 Pro Tip📞 Phone1-813-797-6690Tampa, FL + multiple state offices🌐 States CoveredFL, KY, PA + national casesOne of the original elder law pioneers💰 Fee StructureContingency onlyNo fees unless case is won📅 Founded198540 years before it was mainstream🔄 Repeat DefendantsKnows major nursing home chains deeplyInstitutional knowledge is a major asset Pro Tip: Ask any elder abuse attorney during your consultation whether they’ve previously handled cases involving the specific nursing home chain you’re suing. Wilkes & Associates’ repeat exposure to the same corporate defendants can shorten the evidence-gathering phase considerably. Nursing Home Abuse Center — Best for Families Who Need to Be Matched to the Right Specialist Quickly 🔗 Sometimes the hardest part isn’t finding an attorney — it’s knowing which type of attorney you need for your specific situation. The Nursing Home Abuse Center operates as a national network matching families to specialized elder abuse attorneys based on their case type, location, and the severity of harm. Their legal partners have recovered over $318 million for harm in nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care facilities. This model is especially valuable for families in smaller states or rural areas where finding a dedicated elder abuse attorney on their own would take weeks. The Nursing Home Abuse Center also provides substantial educational resources to help families understand the signs of abuse before their consultation. 🏢 DetailInfo💡 Pro Tip📞 Phone1-855-264-631024/7 availability🌐 States CoveredAll 50 statesNationwide attorney network💰 Fee StructureContingency through partner attorneysFree case review🔍 Best ForMatching to the right specialistFaster than searching on your own📋 Case TypesAll elder abuse categoriesPhysical, financial, neglect, wrongful death Master Contact Table: All 12 Firms at a Glance 📋 #🏢 Firm📞 Phone🌐 Coverage💡 Best For1Morgan & Morgan1-877-667-4265All 50 statesLargest case resources2Sokolove Law1-800-995-1212All 50 statesGuided, experienced support3Lanzone Morgan, LLP1-888-887-9777CaliforniaCA record-setting results4Garcia & Coman1-866-489-8797CA, AZ, LA + nationalMajor corporate defendants5Pintas & Mullins1-800-842-6336All 50 statesOut-of-state family cases6Nursing Home Law Center1-800-926-7565Nationwide networkEvidence-first approach7Senior Justice Law Firm1-888-375-9998Multi-stateOne-on-one attention8Levin & Perconti1-312-332-2872Illinois (primary)IL legislative pioneers9Levin Papantonio1-850-435-7000NationwideComplex multi-party cases10Brown Chiari LLP1-716-681-7190New YorkFinancial exploitation11Wilkes & Associates1-813-797-6690FL, KY, PA + national40-year institutional knowledge12Nursing Home Abuse Center1-855-264-6310All 50 statesFinding the right specialist fast What Nobody Tells You Before Your First Attorney Call 📞 Most families call an elder abuse attorney already emotionally overwhelmed, which means they accept the first thing they’re told and miss critical information. Here’s how to walk into that call armed: Gather the following before calling any attorney: your loved one’s medical records (request them in writing from the facility), photographs of any visible injuries, facility inspection reports from Medicare’s Care Compare tool at medicare.gov/care-compare, a written timeline of events you’ve observed, and the names of any staff members who witnessed or were involved in the incident. Ask these questions directly: How many elder abuse cases like mine has your firm handled? What’s the statute of limitations for my state? Have you previously sued the specific facility or company involved? Do you handle the case yourself or refer it out? What’s your typical contingency percentage? Know your rights as a family member. The Eldercare Locator is a free public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that can help you find elder care services and report abuse. You can reach them at 1-800-677-1116. This is separate from hiring an attorney and can run simultaneously — filing a complaint through Adult Protective Services does not prevent you from pursuing a civil lawsuit. Don’t assume “they settled” means justice was served. The New York Attorney General has secured over $70 million from nursing home owners and operators through enforcement actions — but those government settlements compensate the state, not your family. Your civil claim is separate, and you are entitled to pursue it regardless of what happens in any government enforcement action. The abuse of an older adult is not a medical mystery or a symptom of aging. It is a decision made by a person or an institution that chose profit, carelessness, or malice over your loved one’s dignity and safety. The attorneys on this list have spent their careers making sure that decision has consequences. Use them. 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