Elder Abuse Attorneys

California Elder Abuse and Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

Seek Help from a Dedicated California Elder and Nursing Home Abuse Law Firm

As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, more and more Californians are finding that they are unable to provide appropriate care and supervision for their aging parents. As a result, a significant number turn to others – including family members, skilled professionals, and/or nursing home facilities – to assist them in providing for their parents’ needs. While there are certainly individuals, institutions, and facilities committed to providing compassionate and skilled assistance for older Americans, some choose instead to abuse the trust that family members place in them and take advantage of their elderly clients. Not only can the elderly individual suffer physical, mental, emotional, financial and/or sexual abuse, but the elderly individual’s family members can likewise suffer mental and emotional distress once they learn the trauma that has been inflicted on their loved one.

Regardless of whether a family member, trusted friend, professional caregiver, or nursing care facility is responsible for abusive or neglectful behavior toward your loved one, Harrison | Kristopher, LLP is available and equipped to help you take action in order to protect your loved one and hold those responsible for the abusive or neglectful behavior to account for their actions or inactions.

Who Can Be Held Accountable Through an Elder or Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit?

Simply put, any person who commits an abusive act toward an elderly individual can be named as a defendant in an elder abuse or nursing home abuse lawsuit. In addition, any person who has a relationship with an elderly person in which the person is to provide care for the elderly person but fails to do so can also be named as a defendant in such as lawsuit. This includes:

• Family members, if the family member agreed formally or informally to provide for the physical, medical, and/or financial needs of the elderly individual;
• Neighbors or friends who have agreed (again, either formally or informally) to look in on the elderly person;
• Home health assistants or nurses who visit with the elderly person on a regular basis in order to provide medical care and/or assistance with activities around the house; and/or
• Employees and owners of nursing homes that have contracted with the elderly person and/or his or her family to house the elderly individual and provide medical care to him or her.

While strangers who have no connection with the elderly individual can also commit abusive acts toward an elderly individual, statistics reveal that the vast majority of elder abuse cases occur at the hands of someone with whom the elderly individual is acquainted or who has affirmatively agreed to provide care for the elderly individual.

What Can a Monetary Damages Award Do for My Elderly Loved One and/or I?

When your elderly parent or loved one has been abused or taken advantage of by another person, recovering money from the wrongdoer may seem inconsequential. After all, money cannot undo any injuries your loved one suffered or reestablish the trust you and your loved one may have placed in a person or facility. However, a monetary damages award can be useful in helping you and your family address:

• Any medical bills your elderly loved one incurred in having wounds and injuries treated;
• Costs associated with treatment, counseling, or therapeutic services;
• Expenses associated with moving your loved one to another facility and/or hiring a different caregiver;
• Mental and emotional harm endured by your loved one; and/or
• Punitive damages in the event a defendant acts with intention or gross and inexcusable disregard for the safety and wellbeing of your loved one.

As in any other personal injury lawsuit, the damages you are awarded are meant to (1) compensate or reimburse you for any expenses your loved one experienced that are directly tied to the abusive or neglectful behavior; (2) provide recognition for any noneconomic harm (such as mental pain and suffering) that your elderly loved one claims to have endured; and (3) address those costs and expense that you are likely to endure in the future as a result of the abusive or neglectful behavior.

What Signs Might Suggest My Elderly Loved One is Being Abused or Neglected?

Regardless of whether your elderly parent or loved one is living at home with assistance or is in a residential nursing home facility, recognizing the signs of abuse or neglect early is crucial to minimizing the harm your elderly loved one suffers. Some common indicators that warrant additional investigation to determine if abuse or neglect is actually occurring include:

• Bruises, sores, or unexplained injuries or injuries for which the elderly loved one and/or a caregiver cannot give an adequate explanation;
• Reports from your elderly loved one about abusive or neglectful behavior occurring (many reports made by the victims of elder abuse go unheeded by family and friends);
• Your loved one’s room or living conditions deteriorating (i.e., your loved one’s home is becoming overrun with trash or junk or his or her nursing home room has not been cleaned in a while;
• If your loved one is in a nursing home facility, being unable to visit with your loved one for no adequate reason; and/or
• Changes in your loved one’s behavior and disposition, such as if your loved one appears overly fearful and/or is withdrawn when he or she is normally personable and outgoing.

If you suspect your loved one is the victim of elder abuse or neglect, contact local law enforcement and/or the Office of the State Attorney General. If your loved one is a resident of a nursing home, you can also report the matter to the Department of Public Health and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Of course, your elder abuse and nursing home abuse attorney can also help you report suspicious behavior.

Do not wait: If you suspect your loved one is the victim of elder abuse or neglect, contact Harrison | Kristopher – your dedicated and zealous California legal team – as soon as possible for professional assistance.