ELDER ABUSE
& NEGLECT
Let an Elder Abuse Attorney Help You Get the Justice Your Loved Ones Deserve
You put your loved ones in a nursing home with the expectation they will be cared for and safe. However, for millions of older Americans, living in a nursing facility has turned out to be their worst nightmare.
A dream turned nightmare was the case for a 94-year-old patient who laid defenseless in a nursing home bed while a staff member raped her. Plagued with dementia, she was unable to make sense of the event or even communicate what happened to her. The only thing she could identify was terror. The nursing facility had dramatically reduced its staff by half of that required by law to save money, putting the safety of their already vulnerable elderly patients at risk.
With Owen, Patterson & Owen’s (OPO) representation, the client obtained a $12.5 million settlement.
The elderly are undoubtedly the most vulnerable population. Being of advanced age presents a host of health challenges, including dementia and Alzheimer’s, making them more susceptible to abuse. According to a study conducted by the National Center on Elder Abuse, there are approximately six million cases of abuse reported in the United States.
California has one of the highest incidences of elder abuse in the nation at 11 percent. In 2009, the California Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman received 13 percent of complaints involving abuse, gross neglect, or exploitation, more than double the national rate, according to the California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes. Rates of elder abuse are more prevalent in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, with two out of three staff members admitting they have committed abuse in the past year.
For a free legal consultation with an elder abuse lawyer serving Southern California, call 800-672-5295
Our Experience Transforms Lives
OPO has been fighting to protect the health and well-being of seniors since 1977. OPO has worked tirelessly for over four decades to protect our elders from abuse and neglect. Just as significant as the cases we’ve won is the impact we’ve made. We have gone beyond nursing facilities to protect seniors and have even gone after hospitals and major drug companies, including Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Sulzer AG, and Tenet Healthcare.
Contact Us Today
Request a Free
Consultation
You put your loved ones in a nursing home with the expectation they will be cared for and safe. However, for millions of older Americans, living in a nursing facility has turned out to be their worst nightmare.
A dream turned nightmare was the case for a 94-year-old patient who laid defenseless in a nursing home bed while a staff member raped her. Plagued with dementia, she was unable to make sense of the event or even communicate what happened to her. The only thing she could identify was terror. The nursing facility had dramatically reduced its staff by half of that required by law to save money, putting the safety of their already vulnerable elderly patients at risk.
With Owen, Patterson & Owen’s (OPO) representation, the client obtained a $12.5 million settlement.
The elderly are undoubtedly the most vulnerable population. Being of advanced age presents a host of health challenges, including dementia and Alzheimer’s, making them more susceptible to abuse. According to a study conducted by the National Center on Elder Abuse, there are approximately six million cases of abuse reported in the United States.
California has one of the highest incidences of elder abuse in the nation at 11 percent. In 2009, the California Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman received 13 percent of complaints involving abuse, gross neglect, or exploitation, more than double the national rate, according to the California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes. Rates of elder abuse are more prevalent in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, with two out of three staff members admitting they have committed abuse in the past year.
For a free legal consultation with an elder abuse lawyer serving Southern California, call 800-672-5295
Our Experience Transforms Lives
OPO has been fighting to protect the health and well-being of seniors since 1977. OPO has worked tirelessly for over four decades to protect our elders from abuse and neglect. Just as significant as the cases we’ve won is the impact we’ve made. We have gone beyond nursing facilities to protect seniors and have even gone after hospitals and major drug companies, including Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Sulzer AG, and Tenet Healthcare.
Contact Us Today
Request a Free
Consultation
Here are a few highlights of the experience our elder attorneys can bring to your case:
- Won a landmark case against a senior care facility in Southern California, resulting in $12.5 million in damages for a victim of elder abuse. This case helped set a precedent for other nursing homes and long-term care facilities that mistreatment of elderly patients will have consequences.
- Recovered over $500 million for California residents, including $150 million from prominent drug and medical companies.
- Our dedication to excellence has earned us prestigious awards and recognition among our peers. Our attorneys have received an AV-Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest ratings you can receive for legal ability and high ethical standards. We have also been named to the California Super Lawyers list and voted Best Lawyer in America.
- We have become a resource for other attorneys and are often called upon to assist in high-profile cases due to our expertise.
Types of Elder Abuse
- Physical abuse—The most common type of abuse, physical abuse, includes exerting a physical force that results in injury or pain.
- Sexual abuse—This type of abuse involves unwanted sexual contact, such as touching, penetration, or harassment.
- Emotional or psychological abuse —Elder abuse in this area is more difficult to identify as there are no physical warnings. Some examples are intimidation, scolding, verbal and non-verbal threats, and isolation. These acts often result in an older adult experiencing heightened states of fear, anxiety, agitation, and depression.
- Neglect—A refusal to meet an older person’s basic needs such as food, water, shelter, clothing, adequate medical care, and hygiene can have dire effects. Instances of this type of abuse can result in the older person having bedsores from lying in soiled undergarments for prolonged periods and sudden weight loss from poor nutrition or failure to implement tube feedings.
- Financial abuse—Abuse of financials occurs when an elder’s money, benefits, or property is accessed illegally.
Recognizing Signs of Abuse
Physical Abuse
- Unexplained fall injuries.
- Bruising.
- Broken bones.
- Burns.
- Welts.
- Relapses of medical conditions previously controlled by medication.
Sexual Abuse
- Bruising in the genital area.
- Blood-stained or torn underwear.
- Sexually transmitted diseases.
- Trouble sitting down or standing.
Emotional Abuse
- Skin infections.
- Sudden feelings of depression or anxiety.
- Discomfort or fear around nursing home staff members or caregivers.
- Being withdrawn.
- Agitation and mood changes.
Financial Abuse
- Missing credit cards or checkbook.
- Missing money from bank accounts.
- Forged signatures.
- Unexplained credit card or ATM card charges.
Speak to a
Elder Abuse
Attorney Today
for Free
Learn About Your Rights and Legal Options
If you or a loved one have been the victim of elder abuse or neglect, contact Owen, Patterson & Owen at 800-676-5295 or contact us for a consultation. During this free evaluation, an experienced attorney will review your case and advise your best options for a successful outcome.