We represent victims or their families in cases of abuse or neglect by hospitals, doctors, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies and other care providers. The Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA) protects elders (persons at least 65 years old) and dependent adults from such mistreatment by encouraging lawyers to sue on their behalf. Before EADACPA, wrongdoers often avoided responsibility for their acts by stonewalling claims until elderly victims passed away, at which point such lawsuits lost most of their value. EADACPA eliminated this loophole, and holds bad actors responsible even for those who die as a result of very bad care.
WELCOME TO OUR LAW OFFICE
We have extensive experience with suits against those who abuse or neglect California’s elders and dependent adults. In addition to suits against private care providers, we pursue arbitration against Kaiser Permanente and claims against government-owned hospitals and the Veterans Administration. We also handle similar claims by dependent adults of any age, as well as medical malpractice claims in general.
If you or your loved one were hurt in an elder-care setting, there is a good chance we can help. We work on contingency, which means we bear the costs of cases we pursue and are not paid a fee or reimbursed costs unless we obtain compensation for you. Please explore our site to learn more about what we do, what your options are, how to contact us, and what role you can play in improving elder and dependent adult care.
The Big Lie, and Common Types of Injuries
Families with elderly loved ones too often are told to have low expectations regarding an elder’s condition and care. “Falls are bound to happen,” they are told, “we can’t force mom to eat,” and “pneumonia is the old person’s friend.” For example, having been told their loved one died of “end-stage Alzheimer’s disease” in less than one year, many families are shocked to learn that on average, death from Alzheimer’s occurs over a period of five to seven years. Too often it is poor care that caused a loved one’s death.
Elders in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities or even at home under home health care can suffer many different kinds of injuries. But certain types of injuries seem to happen most often. These types of injuries are caused by a care provider’s repeated failure to provide basic, necessary care — failures that typically result from understaffing, poorly qualified staff, lack of training or inadequate supervision by management.
Malnutrition, Dehydration
Failure to help patients eat and drink can lead to weight-loss and other injuries.
Read More
Bedsores, Amputations
Skin wounds, often on a patient's backside or feet, can and should be prevented.
Read More
Falls and Fractures
Caregivers have a duty to monitor, help and protect patients who wander or walk unsafely.
Read More
OUR TEAM
Anthony Ghecea
Lawyer (aghecea@goodwinghecea.com)
Education
- University of Michigan Law School
- Juris Doctor 1996
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- Bachelor of Arts, Honors English, 1994
Past Legal Experience
- Law Office of Anthony D. Ghecea, 2004 – 2018
- Law Office of David M. Jamieson, 1997 – 2004
Gregory Goodwin
Lawyer (ggoodwin@goodwinghecea.com)
Education
- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
- Juris Doctor, with great distinction, 1983
Top 3% of the Class - Order of the Coif
- The Traynor Honor Society
- California State University at Sacramento
- Bachelor of Arts, Criminal of Justice, 1978
Past Legal Experience
- Law Offices of Gregory J. Goodwin, 1998 – 2016
- Thayer, Harvey, Hodder & Gregerson, 1993 – 1998
- Cardozo, Curtis & Arata, 1988 – 1993
- Boornazian, Jensen & Garthe, 1983 – 1988
Keith White
Paralegal (kwhite@goodwinghecea.com)
Education
- Western Seminary – Portland, OR
- Master of Divinity
- Warner Pacific University
- Bachelor of Science – Human Development 2008
- United States Air Force
- Certifications in Paralegal Studies, Law Office Management, Office Administration
Past Work Experience
- Office of Administrative Hearings – Vancouver, WA (2003-2010)
- Unnamed Law Office – Portland, OR (2001-2002)
- Staff Judge Advocate Office (Tyndall AFB, FL; Yokota AB, Japan; Kelley AFB, TX; Mountain Home AFB, ID) (1984-2001)
Laurel Jacobs
Legal Assistant (ljacobs@goodwinghecea.com)
Education
- University of California, Berkeley
- Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, 2013
Past Work Experience
- Law Office of Michael G. Loeffler, 2014-2017
- Senior Advocacy Network, Senior Law Project, 2017-2019
Rose Robles
Legal Assistant (rrobles@goodwinghecea.com)
Education
- Valley Commercial College, Modesto, CA
- Certificate, Secretarial Program, 1993
Past Work Experience
- Law Office of Machado & Cousins, 1994-1997
- Law Office of Cousins & Edington, 1997-2006
- Saguaro Correctional Center, 2007-2008
- Gillis Law Office, 2009-2011
- Robles Brothers Trucking, 2011-2019
Marisa Rey
Project Manager (mrey@goodwinghecea.com)
Education
- University of California – Los Angeles
- Project Management Certification, 1999
- California State University – Northridge
- Bachelor of Arts, Research Psychology, 1994
Past Work Experience
- Kaiser Permanente, Health Care Finance, 1998 – 2001
Chloe Solorio
Office Assistant (csolorio@goodwinghecea.com)
Education
- Arizona State University
- Bachelor of Science, Justice Studies
WE VALUE YOUR PATIENCE AND TRUST
Litigation is a long process. Before we decide to pursue your claim, and even moreso after, there will be long periods when we are working on your case but you may not hear much from us. Though we may not yet have much to report, please do not hesitate to call at any time for an update.
All people are equal before the law. A
good attorney is what makes a difference.
Attorneys in practice since 1983
"[T]he moral test of government is how that government treats ... those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly [and] those who are in the shadows of life, the sick."
"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was?"
"Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is ... to look after orphans and widows in their distress."
"Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm sixty-four?"
Elder Litigation 101
Lawsuit vs Licensing
Learn your options for holding care providers accountable, and when to use them.
Who is Entitled to Sue?
The person who calls our office about a lawsuit isn’t always a person eligible to participate in the case.
Types of Claims and Damages
The causes of action in a lawsuit determine the types of damages that the suing party may obtain.
How Wrongdoers Get Off
Like criminal defendants, care homes will look for technical grounds to have your case against them thrown out.
How Lawyers Investigate
At some point our office will call you seeking information, documents, or a date for your deposition.
The Tough Road to Compensation
Knowing the issues that affect your case’s value can help you assess what reasonable compensation would be.
Protecting Your Award From Liens
Third parties that pay for an elder’s care may try to seek reimbursement against your case.
Getting Good Care
We’ve learned a little about what it takes to get good elder care. Here are some tips.
No costs or fees if no recovery