Elderly Abuse Attorneys in Maine
Elder abuse is a tragic and often unreported crime. Most victims of elder abuse are people who are frail, vulnerable and cannot help themselves and depend on others to meet their most basic needs in various areas of their life. Abusers of older adults are both women and men, and may be family members, friends, or “trusted others.”
The personal injury attorneys at Hardy, Wolf & Downing focus on representing people who have suffered unnecessarily by those entrusted to their care. We handle claims of abuse and neglect related to many different injuries in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult foster care situations. Examples of common elder abuse claims are:
- Inadequate Medical Care
- Untreated Bedsores
- Poor Sanitation and Hygiene
- Malnutrition/ Dehydration
- Preventable Accidents
- Use of medical and physical restraints
- Medication Errors
- Choking and asphyxiation
- Wandering off/ Inadequate Supervision
What is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. A Washington D.C. research panel recently found that at least 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended on for care or protection.
- It is estimated that for every one case of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self- neglect reported to authorities, about five more go unreported.
Elder abuse cases are not limited to those most commonly found in nursing facilities. Abuse can occur anywhere and by anyone. Other examples include cases where an elderly family member lives with a negligent family member, or who is financially exploited by those trusted to care for their personal finances.
Types of Abuse
The National Administration on Aging has listed the following as the most prevalent categories of elder abuse:
- Physical Abuse - inflicting physical pain or injury on a senior, e.g. slapping, bruising, or restraining by physical or chemical means.
- Sexual Abuse - non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.
- Neglect - the failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care, or protection for a vulnerable elder.
- Exploitation - the illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a senior for someone else's benefit.
- Emotional Abuse - inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts, e.g. humiliating, intimidating, or threatening.
- Abandonment - desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.
- Self-neglect – characterized as the failure of a person to perform essential, self-care tasks and that such failure threatens his/her own health or safety.
What are the warning signs of elder abuse?
Seniors being abused often suffer in silence. If you notice changes in a senior’s personality or behavior, you should start to question what is going on. While one sign does not always mean abuse is occurring, some tell-tale signs that may indicate a problem are:
- Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions, and burns may be an indication of physical abuse, neglect, or mistreatment.
- Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, and unusual depression may be indicators of emotional abuse.
- Bruises around the breasts or genital area can occur from sexual abuse.
- Sudden changes in financial situations may be the result of exploitation.
- Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, and unusual weight loss are indicators of possible neglect.
- Behavior such as belittling, threats, and other uses of power and control by spouses are indicators of verbal or emotional abuse.
- Strained or tense relationships, frequent arguments between the caregiver and elderly person are also signs.
If you feel your loved one has been the victim of abuse, do not hesitate to contact the personal injury lawyers at Hardy, Wolf & Downing for a free consultation today. We have the experience and knowledge to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Contact our Maine personal injury lawyers today to schedule a consultation.
