Committed San Diego Lawyer Sues Perpetrators of Elder Abuse
Hardworking Southern California attorney seeks justice for mistreated seniors
According to the National Council on Aging, up to five million older Americans are victims of abuse each year. If you or a family member is being abused, compensation might be available through a civil lawsuit against the liable individual and/or facility. At Chivinski Law Firm, APC, located in San Diego, I assist elderly clients throughout the greater Southern California area by working to hold the parties who have harmed them accountable.
What is elder abuse?
In California, elder abuse is physical, financial or emotional mistreatment of anyone 65 years of age or older. It can include physical and sexual abuse, neglect of basic needs, intimidation or threatening to cause emotional fear and distress, financial abuse, isolation, abandonment, abduction and using undue influence to get the person to act in a certain way. Elder abuse can be both a criminal and a civil matter. Under civil law, victims of elder abuse or their responsible family members authorized to act on their behalf can sue caregivers, nursing homes or other parties that have mistreated them. I can help you understand your legal options if you know or suspect that elder abuse has occurred.
Signs of elder abuse
Elderly people who are being abused may not be able or willing to communicate what is happening to their families, but there are signs to look out for. Some of the most frequently observed signs of abuse and neglect, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse, include:
- Emotional distress, agitation and anxiety
- Poor personal hygiene
- Bruises, abrasions, welts, lacerations or rope marks
- Falls, head trauma and bone fractures
- Untreated bed sores
- Dehydration and malnutrition
- Unexplained withdrawals of large sums of money from bank accounts or the disappearance of valuable possessions
- Sudden changes to wills or other financial documents
If you suspect abuse, I can assist you in establishing whether it is occurring and in filing a complaint with the appropriate protective services agency or police department. From there, my firm gets to work demanding suitable compensation for the harm that occurred. If you are a senior in immediate physical danger or you believe your elderly family member is in immediate danger, call 911.
Who perpetrates elder abuse?
There are many forms of elder abuse and numerous possible perpetrators. While nursing home abuse and neglect may be what people first think of in relation to elder abuse, other parties who abuse the elderly physically, psychologically or financially include the following:
- In-home caregivers
- Assisted living staff
- Hospital workers
- Family members and other acquaintances
- Financial advisers and accountants
In a civil lawsuit, one party or several may be held liable for abuse. For example, if abuse is at a nursing home, the staff, managers and owners could be sued. My law firm will determine who is liable for abuse and press to hold them responsible.
Contact a skilled California elder law lawyer for help
At San Diego’s Chivinski Law Firm, APC, I represent people throughout Southern California in elder abuse lawsuits when they or their family members have been victims of abuse or neglect by other individuals or institutions. To learn more, call 619-403-9935 or contact me online to schedule a free consultation.
