There are at least five categories of dependent adult abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse, as well as neglect. If you believe that a loved one is being abused or neglected by a caregiver or in a living facility, you have legal options.
A West Hollywood dependent adult abuse lawyer from Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys can help.
The Different Categories of Dependent Adult Abuse
The categories of dependent adult abuse cover a wide range of abuse and neglect. They include these five:
Physical Abuse
This can include pushing or shoving, in addition to other forms of physical violence. Physical abuse can have long-lasting physical and emotional effects on victims.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse can include unwanted physical contact, as well as verbal sexual harassment. The effects of sexual abuse can include mental trauma, as well as physical injuries.
Emotional Abuse
Isolating dependent adults from their loved ones, humiliating them, or calling them names are all forms of emotional abuse.
Financial Abuse
This includes withholding a dependent adult’s money, as well as coercion or threats involving their finances. Fraudulently using a dependent adult’s name and information for financial gain is also a form of financial abuse.
Neglect
Neglect can also be a form of abuse. This includes leaving a dependent adult in unsanitary conditions or medical neglect (such as untreated bedsores).
A West Hollywood nursing home abuse lawyer from Omega Law Group can take on your dependent adult abuse case.
What Are the Signs of Dependent Adult Abuse?
If a loved one is non-verbal or has a cognitive function disorder, they can’t always say if they are being abused. Knowing the signs to look out for can be helpful.
While not all of these signs always point to abuse, they are important to be on the lookout for:
- Changes in appetite or unexplained weight loss.
- New or worsening depression or anxiety.
- Fearfulness or nervousness.
- Unexplained bruises or cuts.
- Missing money or unexplained debts.
- Repeat infections.
- Signs that they haven’t bathed.
- Unsanitary living conditions, such as gathering dust or unchanged bedsheets.
If you notice any of these signs, you should take action.
What Should You Do If You Suspect the Abuse of a Dependent Adult?
If you believe that a loved one is being abused while they are under the supervision of a caregiver or in a nursing home or assisted living facility, your next steps can be important. You should:
- Document the signs of abuse that you noticed. For example, keep financial records that show unexplained transactions.
- Seek medical attention for physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect.
- Contact your local long-term care ombudsman. They serve as advocates for people who are elderly or disabled.
- Make a formal complaint to the nursing home or other facility.
- Report suspected abuse to the local police.
- If necessary, relocate your loved one to somewhere safe.
- Call the legal team at Omega Law Group.
How Can a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help You?
If you suspect that a loved one has been abused, a nursing home abuse attorney can help you take the next legal steps. Your West Hollywood personal injury lawyer will seek financial compensation for the harm caused and work to hold responsible parties financially accountable.
Your lawyer can:
- Investigate the abuse, gathering evidence to support a personal injury claim.
- Determine whether a sole individual was responsible, or if a living facility’s administration was negligent.
- File all needed paperwork, ensuring it is accurate, complete, and filed on time.
- Handle communication with all parties involved.
- Negotiate on your behalf.
- Represent your case in court when necessary.
Your lawyer will also answer your questions throughout the process, ensuring you feel supported during this difficult time.
What Compensation Is Recoverable After Dependent Adult Abuse or Neglect?
Recoverable compensation will depend on the abuse, the severity of any injuries, and the long-term impacts on your loved one’s life. Our lawyers at Omega Law Group will seek fair compensation so that all losses are accounted for.
Recoverable compensation may include:
Economic Damages
These are the financial losses caused by the abuse. They can include:
- Medical expenses.
- Lost wages if a family member needs to take time off work to care for the dependent adult because of the abuse.
- Relocation costs.
- Economic losses caused by financial abuse.
Non-Economic Damages
These are the non-financial losses that a loved one experiences. They can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment, loss of dignity, and lowered quality of life.
Wrongful Death Damages
If a loved one passed away due to the abuse or neglect, no amount of compensation can undo your tragic loss. However, a West Hollywood wrongful death lawyer can help you pursue financial compensation to help bury your loved one and move forward. Compensation can cover:
- End-of-life and emergency medical care expenses.
- Loss of emotional support.
- Loss of parental guidance, if applicable.
- Funeral costs.
- Burial costs.
Certain damages the dependent adult experienced before death, including pain and suffering and medical bills, may be recoverable through a separate survival action brought by the estate.
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(310) 526-8383 What Is the Timeline for Recovering Compensation After Dependent Abuse?
In California, you generally have two years to file a dependent abuse lawsuit. However, there are exceptions to this. For example, if one of the liable parties is a government agency, then you may have a much shorter filing deadline.
Always discuss the expected timeline with your attorney and get started on your case as soon as possible.
Contact a Dependent Adult Abuse Lawyer Today
The many categories of dependent adult abuse include financial, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect. When you trust a loved one’s care to someone else, you expect them to be treated with kindness and dignity. When they aren’t, you have legal options for holding them accountable.
The legal team at Omega Law Group will fight for financial compensation to help with unexpected expenses due to the abuse, as well as the more personal impacts of the abuse.
We work on contingency fees, so you will not have any upfront costs. In fact, you won’t pay us anything unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Call 24/7 to schedule a free consultation with our legal team.
