ELDER ABUSE & NEGLECT

SACRAMENTO INJURY LAWYER

Sacramento injury lawyer Handles Elder Abuse Cases

Elder abuse is defined as any intentional or negligent behavior by a caregiver or other individual that results in the harm or serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. This abuse often occurs at nursing homes and other treatment settings. If a loved one has experienced any type of elder abuse, contact a Sacramento injury lawyer immediately to learn what legal actions you can take.

Elder abuse affects approximately 11% of elder persons each year in the United States, according to the Department of Justice. America is home to more than 40 million persons 65 years old or older, meaning there are at least 4 million elders abused each year in the US alone.

Much of the abuse, 90% according to the National Council on aging, is carried out by family members such as adult children or spouses. Abuse in nursing homes has been a large problem in America as these institutions often are run by inexperienced individuals and often don’t undergo as much inspection as they should.

Types of Elder Abuse

When people think of elder abuse, they may think of impatient caregivers physically striking the elder individuals who depend on their care. However, there’s much more to it than that. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, there are seven general categories that define most forms of elder abuse, such as:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Financial exploitation
• Abandonment
• Self-neglect

Abuse can take a variety of forms and it’s always best to consult with an experienced Sacramento injury lawyer as it pertains to your situation.

Warning Signs

Each type of elder abuse has its own warning signs. It’s very important for loved ones and other caregivers to watch out for any indications that elder abuse may occur. Many elders don’t wish to report the abuse or even tell their closest family members for a variety of reasons, such as embarrassment or because they don’t want to be a burden. Be sure to look out for the following signs of abuse:

• Physical abuse – unexplained injuries, visible bruises, broken bones, burns, or frequent need for medical providers not relating to known disorders
• Emotional abuse – fearful behavior, anxiety, severe and unexplained changes in moods or personality, fear of interacting with nursing home staff or other caregivers, behavioral changes in the presence of staff or caregivers, refusal to see family members or close friends, social withdrawal, decrease in social interactions, hesitation to talk openly, especially around staff or caregivers
• Sexual abuse – development of sexually transmitted diseases, genital or anal pain, injury, or bleeding
• Neglect – malnourishment, significant changes in weight or appearance, lack of basic necessities such as food, water or shelter, poor hygiene, unsanitary or unclean living arrangements, dirty bedding or clothing, bedsores or skin ulcers, unattended medical needs, unpaid bills
• Financial exploitation – significant differences in standard of living and available funds, unexplained changes to financial standing, missing personal property items, sudden and unexpected changes in living arrangements, such as a new location or roommate

Because there are many different types of elder abuse, the symptoms vary as well. If you or a loved one has experienced any of the above, call a Sacramento injury lawyer to learn what you can do.

Legal Action Against Elder Abuse

When an individual is hurt because of the intentional or negligent behavior of another individual, there may be cause for legal action. This is especially true when there was what is called a “duty of care.” Each individual has a certain duty of care to the other that requires us all to act reasonably to prevent each other from undergoing undo harm. In situations where one individual is reliant on another for their safety or care, such as a doctor-patient relationship or a customer and the owner of a store, the duty of care is higher so that the responsible party must do more work to seek out any potential dangers and eliminate them. The relationship between a caregiver and and elder individual certainly falls into the category of higher duty of care.

Personal injury is the course of legal action a victim may take against the individual who has caused him or her harm. Personal injury allows the victim to recover financial compensation for a slew of damages, such as medical costs and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, nursing homes are often understaffed with individuals who aren’t properly trained or don’t have the appropriate experience. This can often lead to neglect or intentional abuse. This can often result in any of the following conditions:

• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Bedsores
• Unexplained illnesses

Though these conditions may not be life-threatening to the majority of us, elderly individuals are a vulnerable group. It is often difficult for the individual to speak out regarding the abuse so it’s important for loved ones to pay attention and take action. If you believe a loved one has been abused, be sure to seek out a Sacramento injury lawyer with experience in personal injury as soon as possible.

Call a Sacramento injury lawyer For Consultation

With many years of experience handling personal injury cases in California, you can trust The Choyce Law Firm with your personal injury case! We fight hard to get the best possible outcome in your case. Give us a call at (916) 306-0636 to speak with a Sacramento injury lawyer today.

Call Sacramento injury lawyer

If you have been injured in a car, truck or motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another, regardless of the nature of the underlying accident, it is important to contact experienced Sacramento injury lawyer at The Choyce Law Firm to discuss your legal options. We have offices in Sacramento & Fairfield, CA for your convenience and have the resources and expertise to aggressively litigate your case in court, fighting to get you just compensation for your injury.
 
Call (916) 306-0636 today for a free consultation with our Sacramento injury lawyer regarding your injury case.