San Diego Elder Abuse Lawyer

When your loved one has suffered at the hands of a negligent or abusive caregiver, it’s time to fight back. Contact a San Diego elder abuse attorney who fights for elders’ rights.

Aging adults sometimes have trouble caring for themselves, which can necessitate caregiving assistance or nursing home services. Unfortunately, when an elder is under the protection of caregivers, he or she can easily become the victim of abuse due to his or her vulnerable state.

If your loved one has suffered at the hands of caregivers who abused their power or knowingly took advantage, contact a San Diego elder abuse lawyer with The Kindley Firm, APC, today. We can investigate the details of the abuse and file a lawsuit seeking compensation for the negligence or abuse your loved one suffered.

The Types of Elder Abuse

Abusers can harm elders in many ways. In some cases, you may be able to prevent elder mistreatment by looking for signs of abuse. Sometimes, though, even extreme vigilance won’t prevent abusers from committing these terrible acts.

Some common signs of elder abuse are physical marks, such as bruising or broken bones, but other signs can come in the form of behavioral changes. Some behavioral changes that could indicate abuse are agitation, withdrawal, and depression. In some cases, your loved one may even tell you he or she is being abused—be sure to listen.

Below is a list of some common types of elder abuse in San Diego. If you see any of these signs, suspect abuse or neglect, or have proof of abuse, make sure your loved one is safe and get in touch with an attorney right away.

Physical

Physical abuse can be any kind of abuse that results in bodily harm or pain. This could include beating, hitting, shoving, slapping, pinching, burning, and more. Indicators of this kind of abuse might include bruising, broken bones, lacerations, bleeding, black eyes, rope marks, or broken items like eyeglasses that belong to the elder.

Emotional and Psychological

Intimidation, threats, and belittling are examples of some of the ways in which a caregiver can cause emotional or psychological damage to a senior. Signs of this kind of abuse can be withdrawal, agitation, non-responsive or non-communicative behavior, biting, rocking, and other signs of fear.

Sexual

Forcing an elder to engage in any kind of sexual behavior is elder abuse. Also, sexual contact of any kind with a person who is not capable of giving consent is sexual abuse. Signs of sexual abuse are bruising around the genitals or breasts, unexplained bleeding, ripped or dirty undergarments, and unexplained sexually transmitted diseases.

Financial Exploitation

Exploiting an elder’s financial assets is a type of senior abuse. Examples of this kind of abuse are coercing a senior into signing paperwork or contracts giving the caregiver certain rights over the elder’s estate, forging the elder’s signature, cashing the elder’s checks, and stealing the elder’s money or possessions.

Abandonment and Neglect

Abandonment is the desertion of an elderly person who is unable to care for himself or herself. Neglect is when the basic needs of a senior are not being met. Signs of neglect are malnourishment, dehydration, and untreated medical conditions.

Resolving Your San Diego Elder Abuse Case

Your San Diego elder abuse claim lawyer will help you gather evidence to prove that the caregiver or nursing home abused or neglected your elderly loved one. We will apply our in-depth knowledge of California law to your claim to display all the reasons your loved one deserves compensation.

We can resolve your claim through mediation, a settlement offer, or going to court. We have experience with all three resolutions to elder abuse cases in San Diego, and we will take the approach that leads to the best outcome for you and your loved one.

Fighting on behalf of your abused loved one is important for two main reasons: to make sure he or she will be cared for well in the future and to help prevent future incidents like this from happening to others.

We’ll make the first part happen by pursuing full and fair compensation, and we’ll accomplish the second part by holding the abusive party accountable and helping you report any misconduct to relevant California government agencies.