Plain words. Official sources.

General information for patients and families in California: how to check a lawyer's record, what people mean by medical malpractice, the signs of neglect in care, and where to report elder abuse. Not legal advice: deadlines apply, so ask a lawyer about your own situation.

• How to check a California lawyer's license and discipline recordHow to look a lawyer up on the State Bar of California's attorney search: license status, year admitted, public discipline and certified specialties, and what each one means.
• Medical malpractice in California, in plain words: misdiagnosis, surgical errors, birth injury, medication errorsWhat people usually mean by medical malpractice, the common kinds of cases, what to keep, and what to ask a lawyer. General information, not legal advice: deadlines apply.
• Signs of nursing home neglect: bedsores, falls, dehydrationWarning signs families often notice in nursing homes and assisted living, what to write down, and who to tell. General information, not medical or legal advice.
• Where to report elder abuse in CaliforniaEmergencies, Adult Protective Services, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, facility licensing complaints and the police: who handles what, and where to find the official contacts.

Ready to look? Browse California law firms with their State Bar records and sourced details.