Is there any worse crime than abusing a person who is helpless to fight back? As sad as it is, the National Center on Elder Abuse finds that only 1 out of every 14 cases of elder abuse are ever brought to the police. We believe this is a travesty and we are here to help you and your family. We can help you get the information you need to identify elder abuse and take the necessary steps to pursue compensation. Call PLBH now at (800) 435-7542 to request a free initial consultation.
What Exactly is Elder Abuse?
First, let us consider what the legal definition of elder abuse is. According to California law, financial exploitation, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse are elder abuse if they happen to a person who is at least 65 years old. For example, if a staff member at an assisted living facility screams at residents, isolates them, doesn’t feed them or give them water, hits them or does not treat or prevent bedsores, they are guilty of elder abuse.
Those Over 65 Years Old Are Not the Only Ones Protected
While the law does specify that a person over the age of 65 is protected by elder abuse laws, they are not the only ones protected under these laws. The Elder Abuse Act also protects dependent adults. The law defines these people as anyone who is aged 18 – 64 who has physical or mental limitations that require care from a professional.
An Attorney Can Help with Elder Abuse Cases in a Number of Ways
You may wonder: Why do I need a personal injury attorney to help with an elder abuse case? Isn’t it as simple as contacting the police and reporting the abuse? We wish for your sake that it was but this is not often the case. When you have an attorney on your side, you can count on us to offer assistance at every step of the process.
This involves gathering evidence to prove your claim, putting relevant values on your damages such as medical bills, pain and suffering, and emotional distress, documenting all injuries, determining who to seek compensation from, and filing a lawsuit to get you the compensation you deserve.
There is No Financial Risk to Hiring an Attorney
Most people do not have thousands of dollars lying around to hire an attorney. The good news is that you don’t need thousands of dollars – in fact you don’t need any money at all. When you work with PLBH, we will likely take your case on a contingency basis. This means that we start working with you right away and require no upfront legal costs. Our fees come out of the money we recover for you. If we do not recover then you do not owe us for your legal fees.