Elder abuse and neglect are crimes that even though they are common, the level of public awareness is very low. This is partly because elder abuse will often go unreported and because people are unaware of all of the different kinds of elder abuse that exist.
The different types of elder abuse
When most people think of elder abuse, they tend to think of a situation where a person is actively causing physical harm to a senior citizen. However, this narrow definition does not fully cover what elder abuse is and the many acts – or in some cases, lack of action – that are covered under elder abuse laws.
- Physical abuse
- Neglect
- Inadequate care
- Psychological abuse
- Financial abuse
What to do if you are being abused or if you suspect that someone is being abused
The important thing to understand is that the state of California does have programs and resources that are dedicated to fighting and preventing elder abuse. Obviously, if you or someone that you care about is being abused, the first thing that you want to do is report the crime to the authorities. Of course, you can contact local law enforcement, but there are additional resources like the office of Adult Protective Services, the National Center on Elder Abuse and the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform.
Contacting the authorities and making use of government resources may help to put a stop to an abusive situation, but there is still the question about what can be done to address the harm that has already occurred. A victim of elder abuse may have suffered physical and psychological damage, they may have lost money or personal assets and they could have the need for additional care or medical treatment as a result. The only legal recourse that is available to address the pain, suffering and financial loss in these situations is to hire a personal injury lawyer and file a lawsuit against those who are responsible for the damages.
How we can help
At the Quirk Law Group, we understand that elder abuse can be emotional and traumatic for those affected and their family members and we will fight to make sure that the victims of these crimes not only get the protection that they deserve, but that they also have the ability to reclaim as much of what they lost as is legally possible. Contact us today to get a Beverly Hills elder abuse attorney that will do everything in his power to ensure your rights are protected and that you get what you deserve.