Reporting Elder Abuse in Southern California
You see a senior suffering what you think is abusive behavior at the hands of a caregiver, or being neglected or abandoned for extended periods of time. What do you do with that information? Who do you contact? What are you obligated to report?
Who to Call
If there is an imminent danger or you believe that the elderly person is having critical medical treatment withheld, you should call 911. Call emergency services anytime there appears to be a life-threatening event.
If you have a nagging feeling of something being wrong, there are many ways to get the right people involved.
These can include contacting:
- California’s Adult Protective Services
- A trusted family member or friend
- Nonemergency police department
- A doctor or other mandatory reporter who can put the investigative process into motion
- A lawyer who specializes in elder abuse cases
If you think your elderly loved one has suffered neglect or abuse, do not wait to act. Whether the abuse occurred in a nursing home, residential care facility, or private home, our Orange County elder abuse attorneys will conduct the necessary investigations and gather the information needed to bring those responsible to justice.
Awards & Memberships
Why You Need to Interfere
Seniors are uniquely vulnerable to being mistreated or abused financially, physically, sexually, psychologically, or through simple abandonment or neglect. To say that these are harmful to the senior does not begin to describe the very challenging situation many of these elderly folks find themselves trapped in.
First of all, many elders are dependent on their tormentors for basic life necessities like food, water, clothing, and medicine. Some of them require assistance just to be able to get around. Can you imagine a world in which the only person available to help you is the one who hurts or harms you? It is unfathomable, and sadly, not a situation many of these seniors have the means or the mobility to escape. If they did not require these services, they would not be so vulnerable. This leads to the vicious cycle of abuse and care.
If you see signs or symptoms of abuse, you need to take the time to identify the appropriate authority and report it. Care custodians, health practitioners, clergy members, and law enforcement members are mandatory reporters – they have to report cases of abuse to the state governing body.
-
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.
-
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.
-
If you suspect that abuse has occurred, know that you are not alone and do not have to suffer in silence. Trust yourself and follow your instincts. First of all, contact the California Department of Social Services, Adult Protective Services (APS). This is a government agency specifically charged with licensing, certifying, and overseeing nursing homes and similar facilities. They are in charge of investigating reports of abuse, so making a report to them is the best place to start.
Once you have contacted them, call us at Siegel Law. We have years of experience handling these kinds of cases and will sit down with you for free and help you understand your options going forward. It is easy to become overwhelmed in this situation, which is why our Orange County elder abuse lawyers offer guidance to those who need it.
What Do You Report?
You should provide the following information:
- Your name and contact information
- The patient’s name and contact information
- Any information available on the caregiver or facility
- What you observed, when you observed it, and where. Be prepared to provide as many details and/or evidence as possible.
- Names and contact information for other witnesses if known
- Any known information regarding the patient’s condition or treatment needed
- Any information on the financial aspects of the patient’s care
- Any documentation available defining the care relationship
Not having all of the details will not preclude an investigation, but may make it take longer. Being able to give as much information as possible can only help. If you are facing a situation where your loved one was abused in some manner by a caregiver, contact our Orange County elder abuse attorney at Travis Siegel at 562-414-5294 or contact us online. We proudly serve all of Southern California.
