RIVERSIDE
ELDER ABUSE ATTORNEY
California is home to more seniors than any other state in the country. Sadly, that also means that our state leads the nation in incidents of elder abuse. It is estimated that four percent of California seniors age 65 and older suffer from neglect or some other form of elder abuse.
If that figure isn’t shocking enough, the United States Department of Health and Human Services estimates that for every reported case of elder abuse in this country, five incidents of elder abuse go unreported. You don’t have to be a Riverside elder abuse lawyer to see the scope of the elder abuse problem that exists here in the State of California and across the country.
If you or someone you know is the victim of elder abuse in California, you should seek counsel from a Riverside elder abuse attorney to ensure that you and your loved one receive help and find justice.
Everyone is responsible for reporting elder abuse whenever they see or suspect it. If you need to speak with a Riverside elder abuse lawyer, contact the California elder abuse experts from the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates. Our Riverside elder abuse attorneys have the knowledge and experience to protect you and your elderly loved one.
With multiple offices located in Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Los Angeles, El Segundo and San Diego, our personal injury lawyers represent abused elderly across Southern California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with an expert Riverside elder abuse lawyer, please call 888-848-5084.
Common Forms of Elder Abuse
When we hear of elder abuse, we commonly think of physical abuse. While physical abuse may be the most recognized form of elder abuse, there are other types of abuse with harmful effects that are no less devastating to the physical and mental health of the victim.
These other forms of elder abuse include:
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
- Neglect
- Abandonment
What are the five signs of elder abuse?
There are several types of elder abuse that an individual may suffer at the hands of another individual. Family members and loved ones must educate themselves to recognize the signs of elder abuse to stop the abusive behavior and seek justice for the victim.
The Riverside elder abuse attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas put together the following list of elder abuse warning signs that everyone should be aware of:
#1 Signs of Elder Physical Abuse
- Unexplained injuries, like welts, bruises, scars, dislocations, broken bones, or sprains.
- Medication overdoses or the failure to take medication regularly.
- Unexplained property damage, including damage to eyeglasses, wristwatches, and other items, or signs of physical restraint.
- A caregiver denying access to a loved one.
#2 Signs of Elder Emotional Abuse
- When a caregiver is controlling, demeaning, or threatening toward the elder.
- When an elderly individual mimics symptoms of dementia by mumbling, sucking, or rocking.
#3 Signs of Elder Sexual Abuse
- Bruises around an elder’s breasts or genitals, as well as unexplained bleeding from the anus or vagina.
- Bloody, stained, or torn undergarments.
#4 Signs of Elder Financial Abuse
- Changes in an elder’s financial situation, unusual bank account activity, or missing cash or property.
- Unexpected changes to powers of attorney, wills, policies, and titles, or the addition of signatories to accounts.
- The unnecessary purchase of goods, services, or subscriptions.
#5 Signs of Elder Neglect
- Dehydration, malnutrition, excessive weight loss, untreated bedsores, and other similar untreated physical issues.
- Unsanitary conditions, including the presence of bugs, dirt, soiled clothing and bedding, and poor hygiene.
Contact a Top-Rated Riverside Elder Abuse Attorney Today!
At the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates, we take our responsibility in combating elder abuse very seriously, and we have a proven record of success in helping victims, and their families obtain proper compensation to help them pay for medical bills, address their pain and suffering, and receive the level of care they deserve.
If find yourself or a loved one a victim of elder abuse, it is crucial you contact an expert elder abuse lawyer to protect your rights. Our Riverside elder abuse attorneys have the knowledge and experience to handle your elder abuse claim with extreme care and professionalism. With multiple offices located in Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Los Angeles, El Segundo and San Diego, our personal injury lawyers represent abused elderly across Southern California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with an expert Riverside elder abuse lawyer, please call 888-848-5084.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can sue for elder abuse in California?
In Riverside and throughout California, an abused elder, their adult dependent, or their representative may file an elder abuse claim.
Plaintiffs named in elder abuse lawsuits may include:
- The abused victim
- Family members
- Guardians
- Spouses
- Successors and Heirs
What is the penalty for elder abuse in California?
In addition to being held liable in a personal injury lawsuit related to elder abuse, the perpetrator of the abuse may also be held criminally responsible, according to California’s Penal Code (Section 368). That code states that criminal elder abuse occurs when someone inflicts unjustifiable pain, harm, or suffering upon an elder or willfully permit or cause suffering to that individual. In addition, California’s criminal law also addresses situations where an individual knowingly allows or puts the elder in situations that endanger their health and safety.
Criminal offenses for elder abuse in Riverside can be prosecuted either as misdemeanors or as felonies, depending on the nature of the abuse and the specific details of the case. These crimes are punishable by sentences of up to four years in prison.
How do you prove elder abuse?
Discerning the signs of elder abuse can be difficult, and victims seldom report abuse for fear of reprisals and continued abuse. That makes it doubly important for everyone to report Riverside elder abuse whenever they see it or suspect it is occurring. The key to proving elder abuse is by looking out for and documenting the signs.
What is passive neglect?
Elder neglect is the most common form of elder abuse in the United States. Neglect is typically characterized by an individual’s failure or the refusal to fulfill their duty or obligation to an elderly individual in their care. Often, neglect will include a caregiver’s failure to provide the elderly induvial in their care with necessities like food, water, shelter, personal hygiene, and medicine.
Passive neglect refers to situations where these basic needs are not met because of a failure to comprehend the needs of the elderly individual in their care, a lack of awareness of services that are available to meet those needs, or a lack of the capacity required to provide care to the person.
How to File a California Elder Abuse Lawsuit
To successfully file an elder abuse lawsuit in Riverside, you must contact an experienced Riverside elder abuse attorney. California elder abuse experts can guide you through the process, help investigate your elder abuse claims, and successfully obtain justice and compensation that you and your loved ones deserve.
As we said before, it is everyone’s responsibility to report elder abuse in Riverside, in California, or anywhere else that we see or suspect that it is happening. It is up to elder abuse lawyers to help victims obtain the care they need and aggressively pursue assisted living facilities, care providers, and anyone else who may be liable for the abuse that your loved one suffered while in their care.
If you suspect that someone you know is suffering elder abuse, your first call should be to the local authorities. Your second call should be to the Riverside elder abuse lawyers at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas. You can schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys to learn more about your rights and discuss your legal options.
3 Common Myths About Elder Abuse
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