ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Punches, Slapping And Yelling Caught On Camera
Caregiver Charged With Elder Abuse And Battery
Victim Required Full-Time Care
Whether an elderly person is institutionalized in a nursing home or under the care of an in-home caregiver, there is a danger of abuse. The abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional or financial, and all forms of elder abuse are crimes and grounds for damages in civil cases. See Cal. Penal Code § 368 (crime of elder abuse); Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610 (definitions of forms of elder abuse creating civil liability for injuries sustained by seniors). Sometimes abuse may be difficult to detect, but sometimes the abuse can be caught – literally – on camera. In one recent case, discussed below, a caregiver’s abuse of an 88-year-old man requiring full-time case was caught on a surveillance camera installed in the facility where the victim lived. Evans Law Firm, Inc. represents elder abuse victims and their families against those responsible for any kind of elder abuse here in Marin and throughout the State of California. Call us today at 415-441-8669 if you need help. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Caregiver Arrested For Alleged Abuse
In the reported caregiver case,[1] a caregiver has been arrested on allegations of physically abusing an 88-year-old man in a nursing home. The suspect was the on-duty caregiver for the victim, an 88-year-old man who required full-time care for basic needs. Surveillance video reportedly shows the aide physically abusing the victim by slapping the victim’s face and yelling at him. Subsequently, on the tape, the aide allegedly places the victim in a wheelchair where he hits the victim multiple times in the face, head, and stomach, and later pushed the victim into a bed, and punched the victim in the stomach three times. “The actions of this man are deplorable, unacceptable and disturbing,” said the arresting Sheriff. “[He] was trusted to take care of this man and to protect him. He not only broke this trust but put this man in direct danger with his actions. I am very proud of our detectives who worked quickly to get this man in custody before he could hurt anyone else.” The aide is charged with Abuse of Elderly or Disabled Adult and Battery.
Using Surveillance Cameras
Under California law, the family has the right to install hidden cameras in a senior’s room in a nursing home provided various procedures are followed. (The home itself may have surveillance cameras too.) If the senior is still in his or her own home of course a camera can be installed at any time. During these truly difficult times, you may want to seriously consider a surveillance camera to protect your loved one. As the reported case illustrates physical elder abuse can be horrific. Whether your loved one is still at home or in a facility, call elder abuse counsel upon any suspicion of abuse.
Contact Us
If you suspect elder abuse of a loved one, friend or neighbor in Marin, or elsewhere in California, call Ingrid M. Evans at Evans Law Firm, Inc. at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267). Ingrid pursues all available remedies for families and injured seniors against those responsible.
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the case in any way.
