Elder Abuse: Frequently Asked Questions
Sacramento Attorneys Serving All of Northern California
Learning that an elderly person you love is being abused can cause a great deal of shock and confusion. Or maybe you suspect that your loved one is suffering abuse, but you don't know how to go about proving it and fighting for compensation. At Newman Law Group, LLP, we have more than a decade of experience, during which time we have accumulated extensive knowledge and skill in handling elder abuse cases. Whatever questions you may have, we have the resources to provide answers.
It is important that you know what signs to look for if you suspect elder abuse, as well as what legal steps to take in order to stop it. Get the answers you need by reviewing the FAQs below and calling our offices for a consultation as soon as possible.
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Q:What is elder abuse?
A:When an older person is physically, emotionally or financially abused at the hands of their caregiver, nurses, family or other party responsible for their care, it is considered elder abuse. Most cases of such abuse are committed by family members, but nursing home abuse is common, as well.
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Q:What makes someone vulnerable to elder abuse?
A:As a person grows older, they become frailer both physically and mentally and are less capable of defending themselves from bullies and people who would exploit their weakness. It is an unfortunate fact that many people take advantage of the vulnerability of older people in order to have an outlet for their own problems, or to get something they want, such as money.
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Q:What are the signs of elder abuse?
A:There are a great number of signs that could point to elder abuse. Unexplainable bruises, infections, exhaustion, malnutrition, fear, anxiety and depression are just a few of these signs. They may also be suffering financial abuse, in which case they may have suspicious bank account and credit transactions, a sudden change in their will, or they may live in poverty even though they have sufficient income. If any of these signs are evident in the life of someone you love, consult with a attorney from Newman Law Group, LLP today.
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Q:Who usually abuses the elderly?
A:Anyone could be an abuser, but the most common cases involve family, friends, medical care professionals, caregivers or other nursing home residents. Signs of an abusive individual include anger, domination, aggression, blaming of the elderly person, drug and alcohol abuse, or a previous history of abuse. It is important that you are sure of a person's liability before seeking legal action, so speak with an elder abuse attorney immediately to determine whether or not you have a case.
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Q:What should I do if I suspect elder abuse?
A:The most important decision you can make at this point is to hire a skilled Sacramento attorney. Without legal assistance, you will not likely win your case and hold the abusive party accountable for their wrongful actions. Your loved one deserves better treatment and compensation, so call Newman Law Group, LLP today. We have what it takes to help you.
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Q:What are things to consider when looking for a qualified assisted living facility or nursing home?
A:In an effort to provide people with the best nursing homes in their particular area, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have put together a website providing a program called Nursing Home Compare. This allows for you to find a list of certified nursing homes near you, along with their ratings in a number of different important areas. It is also a good idea to go visit the nursing homes yourself and bring along a checklist, making sure that their staff seems knowledgeable and compassionate. You want a place where you will feel comfortable knowing that your elderly loved ones are being well cared for.
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Q:How can you prevent elder abuse?
A:Educating your elderly loved ones is extremely important. If they know how to notice signs of abuse and take action, they will not be left alone to fend for themselves. Check in often with your elderly loved ones and know the rights that they have. If you believe that they are being abused, do not wait until it is too late to take action. Retain a Sacramento elder abuse attorney as soon as possible. As for you, prepare for the future by putting together a will and plan for your own housing as you grow older. Protect your finances from being meddled with when you are older and set up trusts or other forms of financial programs.
Hear It From Our Clients
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Dan genuinely cares about the elderly and disabled
“Dan was invaluable in helping me achieve a favorable result in a lawsuit against a national hospice agency that placed money above the suffering of its dying patients.”
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Highly recommend!
“Without a doubt, the aggressive pursuit of the truth by Mr. Newman and his associates along with his willingness to answer our questions and support us led to a positive outcome to an otherwise bleak and desperate situation.”
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They were there for me throughout the process
“The representation and care I received at Newman Law Group was very professional and satisfied my needs. They were there for me throughout the process.”
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Dan is someone you can lean on for support and to do the right thing
“He will work extremely hard and recommend what is best for you and your family because you come first in his eyes. Dan is someone that you know will be there for you even after the dust settles.”
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We were honored to have his representation
“His compassion, knowledge, and unending commitment provided our family with a final resolution in this matter. We were honored to have his representation.”
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Our Victories
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$1,500,000 Neglect Case
After a critical two months where our client was not bathed and multiple changes of condition went uncommunicated, unreported, and uncared for, she was ambulanced out to an Emergency Room, where her doctors and family were shocked to find that she had a stage IV sacral decubitus ulcer.
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$1,300,000 Neglect Case
The client in this case is an adult who is developmentally disabled, bedridden, and unable to speak or move independently. The intermediate care facility where she resided neglected their responsibility to ensure her safety, well-being, and necessary medical attention that she required. As a result, the client suffered a Stage IV wound.
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$1,000,000 Nursing Home Abuse Case
Unbeknownst to prospective residents and their families, this defendant RCFE chain was willing to systematically violate laws and its own policies designed to protect vulnerable elders. Willing to admit scores of profitable, high need residents (such as our client), and leave them at the mercy of a few unqualified, untrained and overburdened caregivers.
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$875,000 Abandonment Case
Through exhaustive investigation, we found that our client’s death was not the result of a few isolated mistakes by care-givers. Rather, it was the result of this corporate facility’s policies prioritizing occupancy and revenue, while ignoring staff training, staff supervision, and the quality of care being delivered.
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$775,000 Resident-On-Resident Abuse Case
While eating dinner at a Skilled Nursing Facility, our client was confronted by another resident who punched him, resulting in our client’s tragic death. The other resident had resided at the facility for five months, and over the course of those five months had engaged in numerous altercations with other residents, including two altercations that occurred in the 24-hour period before he assaulted and killed our client.
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$750,000 Lack of Proper Care Case
During our client’s roughly ten-week stay at a skilled nursing facility, he would suffer 8 falls, lose twenty (20) pounds, and develop an unstageable left heel pressure ulcer and a stage II coccyx pressure ulcer due to the facility’s reckless neglect. He was transferred to the hospital, where he was found severely dehydrated, his left heel wound required debridement for eschar and gangrene, and for the first time, a stage II coccyx ulcer was identified.
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$678,000 Financial Abuse Case
Our 84-year-old client was the victim of financial elder abuse related to a number of transactions, including the purchase of a home. The Defendant's real estate agents, lender, and escrow company all failed to protect our client throughout the process of purchasing the home, which was orchestrated by a woman who fraudulently siphoned off our client’s entire life savings.