ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Elder Abuse: The Ugly Facts
Elder Abuse
Physical elder abuse can be so horrific that is a difficult subject to face. But it happens, right here in San Mateo County. A recent story depicted the physical and sexual abuse a caregiver inflicted on a senior here in our county. Local law enforcement is targeting elder abuse in San Mateo County in a major way and the alleged criminal in the reported case was prosecuted and sentenced. Over the past few years, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office partnered with Aging and Adult Services, the Public Guardian, and County Counsel to form a County-wide elder and dependent adult protection initiative, EDAPT (Elder and Dependent Adult Protection Team). The San Mateo County elder abuse attorneys at Evans Law Firm Inc. encourage you to contact EDAPT whenever you suspect elder abuse. You should also pursue civil remedies immediately and the elder abuse attorneys at Evans Law Firm can help. If you or someone you know is suffering from elder abuse of any type in San Mateo County, call us today at 415-441-8669.
Who Is At Risk and What Does It Look Like?
Over 90% of the elderly who are abused know their abusers. This is one of the reasons that elder abuse is underreported, and it is one of the many challenges with elder abuse cases in general. The perpetrators can be caregivers as in the recently reported case from Redwood City, or friends, neighbors, even family members. Financial elder abusers include scammers who contact the elderly via phone or email asking for money, or fake love interests over the internet. Others include insurance agents and financial advisors who may prey on the elderly and sell them expensive annuity and other insurance products that they do not need. The elder abuse attorneys at Evans Law Firm Inc. have experience pursuing actions in San Mateo County against all these different types of abusers.
The Bottom Line
Elder abuse is dangerous, and it is happening at unimaginable rates. Stay connected to your senior loved one and involved in his or her life. Drop in unexpectedly and keep an eye on their comings and goings. Do background checks on any caregivers and anyone who offers to help out around their home. Make sure valuables, important papers (like Social Security cards and birth certificates) are safe. Review bank statements frequently for suspicious withdrawals or spending patterns. Above all don’t let seniors isolate; an isolated senior is particularly vulnerable to abuse and susceptible to manipulation. Encourage their old friends to stay in touch and visit them regularly. If you suspect anything, inform law enforcements. While the authorities can help obtain restitution there are other remedies and protections available to seniors and counsel can help you pursue those. If you yourself are a victim of financial elder abuse in San Mateo County or elsewhere in California, or you know someone who is, call the Evans Law Firm today at 415-441-8669. We offer a free consultation. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one been the victim of elder abuse in San Mateo County, or in any California county, contact the Evans Law Firm elder abuse attorneys at (415) 441-8669, or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>. Our attorneys have experience with complex financial contracts and large insurance companies. We can help guide your case through a jury trial or toward an equitable settlement. We handle cases involving physical and financial elder abuse, qui tam and whistleblower law, nursing home abuse, whole life insurance and universal life insurance, and indexed, variable, and fixed annuities.
