TOP NURSING HOME, ELDER ABUSE ATTORNEYS
Santa Clarita / Valencia California
ELDER ABUSE & NEGLECT
Let an Elder Abuse Attorney Help You Get the Justice Your Loved Ones Deserve
When you place a family member or loved one in a nursing home, you expect them to be treated well. Nursing homes and their staff have a responsibility to provide their elderly residents with good care and to keep them safe. But for millions of older citizens, living in a nursing home quickly becomes a nightmare
One 94-year-old patient experienced this kind of nightmare when a nursing home staff member sexually assaulted her. This patient suffered from dementia. As a result, she was unable to communicate about the event or make sense of it. She only knew that she was terrified. In this case, the nursing home facility had dramatically reduced its staff. At the time, they had fewer than half of the legally required number of staff members. This reduction in workers was an attempt to save money. It ended up putting their elderly residents at great risk, including the 94-year-old victim.
With the help of the accomplished attorneys at Owen, Patterson & Owen (OPO), the client secured a $12.5 million settlement. Our personal injury team is dedicated to holding negligent nursing homes and long-term care facilities accountable.
Rates of Elderly Abuse Cases
Elderly Americans are one of the most vulnerable groups in the national population. Because they are of advanced age, they may face a host of health challenges. These include physical ailments, along with psychological conditions, like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Â
These health difficulties can make seniors more susceptible to instances of abuse. According to research from the National Center on Elder Abuse, there are 6,000,000 reported cases of abuse in the U.S. each year. The state of California has one of the highest rates of elder abuse. According to a recent study, California’s incidences of elder abuse are calculated at 11%.
In 2009, the California Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman heard thirteen complaints involving elder abuse. These included cases of gross neglect, physical abuse, and exploitation. These 13 complaints represented more than double the nationwide average, according to the California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes.Â
Elder abuse can happen in any context. But this type of mistreatment is more common in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.Â
Our Personal Injury Legal Experience Protects Clients in Santa ClaritaÂ
The accomplished legal team at OPO has been working to protect seniors’ health and wellbeing since 1977. Over the decades, our lawyers have filed, negotiated, and tried many cases resulting in positive jury verdicts.
Over $10B Recovered for Injury Victims, including compensatory damages for our clients. Our tireless dedication and decades of experience allow us to effectively help victims of elder abuse and neglect.
The lawyers at OPO fight hard so that our clients can regain control of their lives.
Contact Us Today
Request a Free
Consultation
When you place a family member or loved one in a nursing home, you expect them to be treated well. Nursing homes and their staff have a responsibility to provide their elderly residents with good care and to keep them safe. But for millions of older citizens, living in a nursing home quickly becomes a nightmare
One 94-year-old patient experienced this kind of nightmare when a nursing home staff member sexually assaulted her. This patient suffered from dementia. As a result, she was unable to communicate about the event or make sense of it. She only knew that she was terrified. In this case, the nursing home facility had dramatically reduced its staff. At the time, they had fewer than half of the legally required number of staff members. This reduction in workers was an attempt to save money. It ended up putting their elderly residents at great risk, including the 94-year-old victim.
With the help of the accomplished personal injury attorneys at Owen, Patterson & Owen (OPO), the client secured a $12.5 million settlement. Our team is dedicated to holding negligent nursing homes and long-term care facilities accountable.
Rates of Elderly Abuse Cases
Elderly Americans are one of the most vulnerable groups in the national population. Because they are of advanced age, they may face a host of health challenges. These include physical ailments, along with psychological conditions, like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Â
These health difficulties can make seniors more susceptible to instances of abuse. According to research from the National Center on Elder Abuse, there are 6,000,000 reported cases of abuse in the U.S. each year. The state of California has one of the highest rates of elder abuse. According to a recent study, California’s incidences of elder abuse are calculated at 11%.
In 2009, the California Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman heard thirteen complaints involving elder abuse. These included cases of gross neglect, physical abuse, and exploitation. These 13 complaints represented more than double the nationwide average, according to the California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes.Â
Elder abuse can happen in any context. But this type of mistreatment is more common in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.Â
Our Nursing Home Neglect Legal Experience Protects Clients in Santa ClaritaÂ
The accomplished legal team at OPO has been working to protect seniors’ health and wellbeing since 1977. Over the decades, our personal injury lawyers have filed, negotiated, and tried many cases resulting in positive jury verdicts.
Over $10B Recovered for Injury Victims, including compensatory damages for our clients. Our tireless dedication and decades of experience allow us to effectively help victims of elder abuse and neglect.
The elder abuse lawyers at OPO fight hard so that our clients can regain control of their lives.
Contact Us Today
Request a Free
Consultation
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Merck Pharmaceuticals
- Sulzer AG
- Tenet Healthcare
We have a long track record of effectively protecting the rights of seniors in Santa Clarita and across California.
Common Types of Elder Abuse Cases
There are several different forms of elder abuse, but the effects are usually the same.Â
Although physical injuries may heal, the psychological damage is usually much more severe. In many cases, the psychological consequences will be long-lasting.Â
Typical forms of elder abuse include:
- Physical abuse—This is the most common type of elder abuse. Physical abuse involves exerting physical force on the victim, resulting in pain or injury.
- Sexual abuse—This type of abuse involves unwanted sexual contact, such as touching, penetration, or harassment.
- Emotional or psychological abuse —This type of abuse is less tangible and therefore more difficult to identify. Emotional abuse can occur without physical signs and symptoms. Examples of emotional and psychological abuse include beratement, intimidation, verbal threats, and isolation. This type of elder abuse typically results in the victim suffering from fear, agitation, anxiety, or depression.
- Neglect—When a caretaker refuses to meet an elderly person’s basic needs, this constitutes neglect. Denying a person water, food, clothing, shelter, hygiene, or medical care are all forms of abuse. Neglect can result in dire consequences for the victim. Elderly victims of neglect may suffer from bedsores, sudden weight loss, and other severe symptoms.
- Financial abuse—This type of abuse occurs when someone takes advantage of a senior citizen financially. Usually, financial abuse involves illegally accessing a victim’s benefits, property, or money.Â
How to Spot Signs of Abuse
Sadly, older individuals are more prone to accidents and injuries. Therefore, it may be difficult to differentiate signs of abuse from everyday injuries. Those who are suffering from advancing age or mental impairments may regularly sustain bruises, cuts, or other minor injuries. Below, we have listed several common indicators for each type of elder abuse discussed above.
- Unexplained falling injuries
- Bruising
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Relapses of medical conditions requiring medication
- Welts
Some common symptoms of sexual abuse are:
- Bruising around the genitals
- Torn or blood-stained undergarments
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Difficulty sitting or standing
Signs of emotional abuse may include:
- Skin infection
- Sudden anxiety and depression
- Discomfort around caregivers
- Agitation and shifts in mood
Some typical indicators of financial abuse are:
- Lost credit cards or checks
- Missing money from accounts
- Unexplained credits or ATM charges
- Forged signatures on financial documents
At OPO, our lawyers fight hard to protect seniors from every type of abuse. If you or someone you love has experienced elder abuse, do not hesitate. Our personal injury team boasts a long history of fighting and winning for our clients. When an accident or injury occurs, the responsible party should be held accountable.
Do not allow nursing home and elder abuse to go unreported. Elder abuse victims deserve justice. Call OPO to schedule a no-cost consultation to determine your best legal options.
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Valencia CA
Elder Abuse
Attorney Today
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Learn About Your Rights and Legal Options
If you or a loved one have been the victim of nursing home abuse or elder neglect and are seeking a lawyer, contact Owen, Patterson & Owen at 800.676.5295 or contact us for a consultation. During this free evaluation, an experienced personal injury attorney will review your case and advise your best options for a successful outcome.