Orange County Emotional Elder Abuse Lawyer
If you suspect that a loved one is suffering from emotional abuse at the hands of a caretaker or in a nursing home, you need to contact an experienced Orange County emotional elder abuse lawyer immediately. Since 2002, Travis Siegel of Travis Siegel has been on a crusade to fight for the rights of seniors who are not treated with the dignity they deserve. Call today for a free consultation at 562-414-5294 or schedule one online.
How Common Is Elder Abuse?
While most of us cannot imagine abusing a senior citizen, the sad reality is that elder abuse is a persistent and growing problem. In fact, it is estimated that at least two-and-a-half million American seniors suffer from elder abuse, and one in ten have been abused in the last year.
While adult children and other family members are the most frequent perpetrators of senior abuse, one in three nursing home residents report that they have been the target of abuse at their facility. Elder abuse can take many forms, but one of the most common is emotional abuse. This is particularly troubling because emotional abuse can be harder to detect than abuse that leaves physical evidence.
Types of Emotional Elder Abuse
Anything that causes emotional pain and suffering to an elderly person is considered emotional abuse, whether it be verbal or nonverbal. If you believe your elderly loved one is suffering from any of the scenarios below, speak with a compassionate elder abuse lawyer in Orange County as soon as possible.
Verbal Emotional Abuse
Verbal emotional abuse may include:
- Insulting, ridiculing, mocking the patient, or calling him names.
- Yelling or shouting at the patient.
- Threatening the patient.
- Bullying or intimidating the patient.
- Being condescending or talking to the patient as if she was a child.
- Embarrassing the patient in front of other patients.
- Scapegoating and blaming the patient, intentionally making him feel guilty.
- Being callous and mean.
Nonverbal Emotional Abuse
Nonverbal forms of emotional abuse may include:
- Withholding or withdrawing affection.
- Giving the patient the silent treatment.
- Pretending to cause the patient physical harm.
- Isolating the patient from others, prohibiting her from talking or socializing with others.
- Ignoring the patient.
- Treating the patient as if he was a child.
- Restricting the patient’s access to food, water, the bathroom, etc.
- Taking away or hiding personal items from the patient.
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 562-414-5294 today!
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Choosing the right nursing home for your loved ones is a personal (and tough) decision. It is something you must decide on your own, or with the rest of your family. With that in mind, however, there are a few resources you can use to help with the decision.
The Health Facilities Consumer Information System provided by the state of California lets you search for different types of health facilities, including nursing homes. The Medicare website also provides a tool for finding nursing homes.
The Health Facilities Consumer Information System also lets you search for complaints against said facilities. You can use this tool to check on any homes you might be considering and see if complaints have been filed against them.
Remember, if you suspect any form of elderly abuse or negligence has occurred, trust your instincts and call us at Siegel Law. 562-414-5294
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Pressure sores, also called bed sores and pressure ulcers, are a common sign of nursing home abuse or neglect. They are caused by unrelieved pressure on the skin. Bed sores typically appear near areas where the bones are close to the skin: the hips, back, elbows, and ankles. When pressure sores first show up, they’re just skin irritation. With prompt treatment, they typically have no lasting effects. When not treated quickly, however, later stages can result in serious damage not only to the skin but also to muscle and bone.
The greatest tragedy of pressure sores is that they are relatively easy to prevent. Regular movement of a person restricted to a bed or wheelchair can help avoid pressure sores. Someone who must remain in bed should be moved about every two hours. The use of a pressure-reducing mattress can help. A proper diet, cleanliness, and daily exercise all help prevent pressure sores and eliminate the serious harm that can accompany them.
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The answer is no. Siegel Law takes all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that our clients owe the firm nothing for expenses unless they are awarded a monetary settlement or we receive a favorable verdict at trial. All expenses will be deducted from the settlement or jury verdict. Not a dime will be taken out of your pocket.
