When and why an Elder Abuse Attorney is necessary

Elder Abuse is something nobody should have to suffer. According to a CNN investigative report on nursing home abuse, in 2017, five elderly patients in California were humiliated, abused, and physically tortured. At least one man was fearful he would lose his life, and there was evidence of what had happened to him: the five abusers had taken pictures and video recordings of the event to show their fellow staff members. Unfortunately, though the aides lost their certification, they did not all face charges and serve time. Justice was not served. Regrettably, there are thousands of incidents of elder abuse that go undetected and unresolved each year.

By 2050, according to the National Institutes of Health, the number of adults aged 65 or older will have reached approximately 1.6 billion people. In America, the number of elderly is expected to nearly double; from 48 million to 88 million by that time. With a growing population in need of reliable, professional, and compassionate care, the problem of elder abuse can no longer be under-reported, as it is now. Though statistics are hard to gather, studies by the National Center on Elder Abuse suggest that only one in 14 cases of elder abuse is reported. Even fewer cases make it to trial.

The adverse effects these cases can have on individuals and their families is heartbreaking. It is never an easy decision to place an elder family member in full-time care. Families trust that their loved one will be given food, shelter, medical treatment, hygiene, safety, and be treated with the dignity and compassion they deserve. Signs of physical neglect such as bedsores can be difficult to detect by family members. More serious forms of abuse such as emotional abuse may be even harder to determine. Emotionally, elder adults often feel ashamed of what happened to them, fearful of retaliation, or worried that they may upset their families. Elder relatives may suffer financial abuse as well, victimized by people in who they trusted.

If a case of elder abuse has occurred to a family member, it is crucial to get professional legal advice. The laws governing elder care may reach into financial, medical, and personal issues and get complex very quickly. What is important to keep in mind is that justice needs to be sought not just to protect our loved ones but to prevent further abuse of others.

If you and your family are in the San Francisco area and need the professional assistance of an Elder Abuse Attorney, contact The Cartwright Law Firm. We will work hard to help you and your family get the best possible outcome in a case of elder abuse or victimization. We have substantial experience in helping elder abuse victims receive a favorable outcome following a personal injury or case of neglect. Let us help you and your family get the justice you deserve.

For more information on our San Francisco Elder Abuse Attorney, please visit our site.