AB 859: Elders and dependent adults: abuse or neglect.

Existing law, the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act, provides for the award of attorneys fees and costs to, and the recovery of damages by, a plaintiff when it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is liable for physical abuse or neglect, and the defendant has also been found guilty of recklessness, oppression, fraud, or malice in the commission of that abuse.

This bill would instead apply a preponderance of the evidence standard to any claim brought against a residential care facility for the elderly or a skilled nursing facility, except as specified, for remedies sought pursuant to the above provisions, upon circumstances in which spoliation of evidence has been committed by the defendant, as specified. The bill would make conforming changes to a related provision.