Stop and Punish Elder Abuse

If you are considering the services of a lawyer to assist with an elder abuse claim, it’s important to understand exactly what constitutes elder abuse and under what circumstances one can seek intervention from the law.

“Elder abuse (also called “elder mistreatment”, “senior abuse”, “abuse in later life”, “abuse of older adults”, “abuse of older women”, “abuse of older men”, and “nursing home negligence”) is “a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elder_abuse

The most common forms of elder abuse include malnutrition / dehydration, bruising from falls and aggressive physical handling, broken bones and general neglect (resulting in, e.g., bed sores and other illnesses.) The most common venue for elder abuse is a nursing home or elder care facility. In fact, research by the National Center on Elder Abuse indicates that around 45% of nursing home residents claimed some form of elder abuse.

As a family member or friend of an elderly resident of a long-term care facility, it can often be difficult to identify the signs of abuse, and even more difficult to engage the victim in a conversation about potential abuse if and when you suspect an issue. A lawyer with experience in handling elder abuse cases can often help you through the early stages of intervention, so if you suspect foul play and have not yet taken action, we recommend a lawyer consultation immediately.

At Kellum Law Firm we have access to a team of lawyers with experience in handling elder abuse cases and we can help you along the path to an early intervention and also in taking steps to seek compensation when an abuse case is proven. Contact us today to discuss the details of your case with a free initial consultation.