Older adults living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are at the mercy of their caregivers and can be mistreated by them.
Some signs of abuse are:
- Fractures
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Lack of hygiene
- Pressure sores (pressure sores)
- Unexplained bruising
If you know or suspect that an elderly relative is being abused, you should take appropriate action.
Should you hire a lawyer?
Yes. Hiring an attorney with experience handling elder abuse cases can stop the abuse, hold offenders and their employers accountable, and obtain compensation for your elderly family member for damages suffered.
Time is of the utmost importance. The older adult should file the abuse claim as soon as possible or it is possible that, due to the statute of limitations, the case cannot be brought to trial. The limitation period is considered from the moment in which the elderly person or the person who cares for them becomes aware of the abuse.
If your elderly relative does not have the mental capacity to file a claim, you can do so on their behalf, and the statute of limitations begins from the moment you became aware of the abuse.
What Can An Elder Abuse Lawyer Do?
During the first consultation, experienced elder abuse Attorneys will listen to your concerns and the circumstances that you are aware of and determine if the elder has a legal basis for a claim. Most barr& young attorneys offer free advice.
The elder’s attorney can:
- Assess the circumstances of the abuse
- Determine the severity of the case
- Calculate abuse-related expenses
This will help you determine the amount of damages necessary to compensate your elderly relative.
The elder’s attorney will document the abuse by taking photographs, investigating medical records and other related documents, and speaking with the affected elder, if possible.
During the preparation of the case, the attorney for the older adult will gather evidence to support their arguments by interviewing witnesses under penalty of perjury. Your attorney may also use other “discovery” methods to find out what happened and what the employer has or has not done to prevent further abuse.
During the preparation for the trial, the attorney for the older adult will present, defend and challenge requests and appeals based on the interests of the older adult.