The Villages Elder Abuse Attorney
Whether you have admitted a loved one into a nursing home, or you are receiving in-home care, you expect that the people entrusted with providing that care will do so to the best of their ability. Sadly, elder abuse is far more common than many people realize. Elders are extremely vulnerable. They do often rely on others to provide for their daily needs, and they are also much frailer than other people, causing them to suffer serious injuries if they are abused. Our The Villages elder abuse attorney can explain more about the harm caused, and the legal options you have available.
Types of Elder Abuse
When many people think of elder abuse, they often first envision physical abuse. Pushing, hitting, or restraining seniors does happen and when it does, the elderly suffer serious injuries. However, there are other types of elder abuse, as well. These include:
- Emotional abuse: Emotional abuse is the most common type of elder abuse. It can include humiliating, threatening, and isolating seniors. While this type of abuse may not result in physical injuries, it can cause emotional trauma.
- Sexual abuse: No one wants to think about it, but sexual abuse can occur in nursing homes, private residences, and other long-term care institutions. Just like in other settings, sexual elder abuse includes any non-consensual sexual contact between a caregiver and an elderly individual. Seniors often do not have the capacity to provide consent.
- Financial exploitation: Financial exploitation can occur when a caregiver steals from a senior, scams them financially, or coerces them into making important changes, such as those to a will or power of attorney.
- Neglect: Not all elder abuse is intentional. Caregivers may fail to properly provide for a senior’s needs, resulting in serious harm.
Where Does Elder Abuse Occur?
Elders receive care in a number of different settings. Tragically, elder abuse can occur in any of these. The most common settings where elder abuse occurs are as follows:
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Private homes with caregivers
- Hospitals and medical facilities
- Family members’ homes
- Adult daycare centers
- Residential care homes
Legal Options After Elder Abuse Occurs
Elder abuse can cause many serious injuries including serious bruises and cuts, bedsores and infections, malnutrition, dehydration, brain injuries, and psychological trauma. If you can show that someone else abused an elder and caused these injuries, or others, you can file a claim against them to obtain damages. The damages available in these lawsuits include medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other harm. Abused elders can file these claims on their own but if they lack the mental capacity, a loved one can file a claim on their behalf.
Call Our Elder Abuse Lawyer in The Villages Today
Elder abuse is devastating for the entire family. William Rambaum, P.A. is an elder abuse attorney in The Villages that can prove your case so you obtain the full and fair damages available. Call us now at 727-781-5357 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation and to get the legal help you need.
