Elder Abuse Attorney in Whittier

The problem of elder abuse is one that does not receive enough attention and it is often overlooked altogether. This abuse comes in many forms and it can happen in a wide range of settings. As a society, we should do more to prevent these offenses and to ensure justice when they are committed. When the violations are reported, the individual might be able to seek justice in both the criminal and civil courts.

While criminal justice may help to stop the abuse, there is still the question of what a victim can do about the damage that has already been done. One type of professional that can help you to answer this question is a Whittier elder abuse attorney.

How big is the problem?

One of the hard facts about elder abuse is that it is very difficult to get an accurate picture of just how big the problem is. The nature of elder abuse and the vulnerability of those being abused can lead to a situation where the offense is very likely to go unreported. The state of California estimates that approximately 200,000 incidents of elder abuse occur each year and this problem threatens to grow worse as the population of the state ages.

Elder abuse in nursing homes

A nursing home is just one of the many settings in which abuse may occur. The abuse can come from a caregiver or other employees of the home, it can be from other residents and it could possibly be from a visitor such as a family member of the victim. The following statistics should help you to get a better understanding of the scope of the problem and which types of abuse are more prevalent.

  • About 1 out of 10 nursing homes in the US have been cited for violations that either caused great harm to a resident or exposed residents to the potential for serious harm
  • More than half of all nursing home workers have admitted to either abuse or neglect of a resident
  • Physical abuse makes up about 29% of reported elder abuse
  • 22% of reported abuse is committed by fellow residents of the home
  • Gross neglect accounts for about 14% of the elder abuse that is reported

Get help from the Quirk Law Group

For the people that find themselves in an abusive situation, the effects can be very damaging. The victim may have medical issues or psychological trauma as a result and the worst part is that many of these crimes are committed by people the victim should have been able to trust. If you have been the victim of one of these offenses, then you need to get in touch with a Whittier elder abuse attorney. A personal injury lawyer can help to ensure that further abuse is prevented and that you get the justice that you deserve.