An Elder Abuse Lawyer Can Help Protect Vulnerable Seniors from Neglect

Learn the Signs of Elder Abuse and How an Attorney Can Help You File a Lawsuit

After an injury occurs, an elder abuse lawyer can help you and your family pursue a lawsuit for financial compensation.

Elder abuse can have devastating consequences for older adults and their families. This abuse, whether physical, emotional, financial, or sexual, inflicts profound harm on vulnerable seniors who deserve respect, dignity, and protection in their later years. The effects of elder abuse ripple through all aspects of the victim’s life, from their physical health to their emotional well-being, financial security, and overall quality of life. 

Elder abuse can significantly affect a victim’s sense of self-worth, confidence, and self-esteem. An individual who has experienced elder abuse may struggle with feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and self-doubt. Some people may be hesitant to pursue a lawsuit. However, a successful lawsuit for elder abuse can be beneficial to the entire community. 

Those who have been harmed can hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions and help prevent similar incidents of elder abuse in the future. Through their efforts, elder abuse lawyers not only seek financial compensation for victims but also strive to prevent future instances of neglect, ensuring the safety and well-being of seniors across California.

Elder abuse cases can be extremely complicated. To successfully pursue a lawsuit, you will need a dedicated attorney on your side who can advocate for justice and compensation.  Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer from Hodes Milman online or by calling our office at (949) 640-8222. Continue reading to learn more about elder abuse and how a lawsuit can benefit you and your family. 

An Elder Abuse Attorney Can Help You Pursue Financial Compensation

Elder abuse refers to any intentional or negligent act that causes harm or distress to an older adult. This mistreatment can take various forms and may occur in different settings. Elder abuse may occur in the victim’s home, a caregiver’s residence, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or hospitals.

If you or your loved one was injured after receiving treatment or care in any one of these facilities, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit for financial compensation. An elder abuse lawsuit can encompass various categories of compensation sought by the injured party or their family members for the harm caused by the abuse or neglect. 

Some types of financial compensation that may be recovered in an elder abuse lawsuit may include: 

• Monetary awards for emotional hardship: This type of financial compensation may also be referred to as a pain and suffering award. Pain and suffering awards or awards for emotional hardship include compensation for physical discomfort, anxiety, depression, fear, and other negative emotional effects caused by mistreatment or abuse. 
• Compensation for medical expenses: Elder abuse may result in serious injuries that require medical treatment such as surgery, rehabilitation, or medication. A lawsuit can help you acquire the funds necessary to properly heal. 
• Punitive awards: In cases involving extreme negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct on the part of the abuser or negligent party, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer. Punitive awards are not available in every case. Having a lawyer on your side can help ensure that you have the best chance of receiving every type of compensation you are entitled to. 
• Disfigurement and permanent disability: Monetary awards may be available for any permanent disfigurement, scarring, or disability resulting from abuse or neglect. This includes compensation for the physical limitations and functional impairments that impact the victim’s daily life and ability to perform tasks.

The amount of financial compensation awarded in an elder abuse lawsuit will depend on several important factors. These factors may include the severity of the abuse or neglect, the extent of the victim’s injuries, the jurisdiction in which the lawsuit is filed, and the evidence presented in support of the claim. It is important to work closely with an experienced elder abuse attorney to assess the harm accurately and pursue fair compensation for the victim’s losses and harms.

Elder abuse is a serious and widespread problem. It violates the fundamental rights and dignity of older adults. It can have devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences for victims. 

If you or a loved one has been harmed in a nursing home facility, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer from Hodes Milman online or by calling (949) 640-8222. Detecting and preventing elder abuse requires awareness and prompt intervention to protect vulnerable older adults and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

The Most Common Types of Elder Abuse

Elder neglect is a serious issue that requires immediate attention and intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable older adults. Elder abuse can cause significant harm to older adults’ physical health, emotional well-being, financial security, and overall quality of life. According to The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the most common types of elder abuse include: 

• Physical abuse: Physical abuse or neglect can result in a range of injuries, including bruises, cuts, fractures, and internal trauma. 
• Sexual abuse: Elder sexual abuse can take various forms, including sexual assault, molestation, rape, coercion, or exploitation.
• Elder emotional abuse: Emotional abuse, such as verbal insults, threats, or humiliation, can cause psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of worthlessness or helplessness. 
• Financial loss: Financial exploitation can deplete an older adult’s savings, assets, and resources, leaving them vulnerable to poverty, homelessness, and dependence on others for financial support.
• Elderly abandonment: Elderly abandonment refers to the neglect or desertion of older individuals by their families or caregivers. Abandonment can have severe consequences for the well-being of the abandoned individual, including physical decline, mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, financial exploitation, and even premature death. 

Elder self-neglect is also a serious issue. Elder self-neglect occurs when an elderly individual fails to meet their own basic needs for health, safety, and well-being. This can manifest in various ways, including neglecting personal hygiene, not seeking necessary medical care, living in unsafe or unsanitary conditions, and not maintaining proper nutrition. 

It is important for community members, healthcare professionals, and social service agencies to be vigilant for signs of self-neglect among elderly individuals and to intervene appropriately.

Families trust nursing homes and elder care facilities with the care of their loved ones. Discovering instances of neglect that threaten their health, dignity, and quality of life can be devastating. Addressing nursing home neglect requires vigilant oversight, accountability for negligent facilities, and advocacy for affected residents. 

Contact a California Elder Abuse Law Firm

When it comes to protecting vulnerable seniors from neglect, abuse, or exploitation, seeking the assistance of a dedicated California elder abuse law firm can make all the difference. The attorneys at Hodes Milman have many years of experience in advocating for the most vulnerable members of our communities. 

Our team is able to handle the complexities of elder abuse cases with compassion and diligence. We have won many victories for our clients including a $2.4 million dollar award for an elderly patient who was not properly monitored by hospital staff. 

If you or your loved one have been injured in a hospital or nursing home setting, you may have cause to bring a lawsuit for financial compensation. Contact the elder abuse lawyers from Hodes Milman online or by calling our offices at (949) 640-8222. By contacting an elder abuse lawyer, you can take the first step towards seeking justice for your loved ones and holding accountable those responsible for their suffering.