Elder Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Why Hire Our Elder Sexual Abuse Lawyers?

Inappropriate or criminal behavior from an employee or caregiver can permanently change a victim's life. Elder sexual abuse attorneys understand the special needs of elder abuse survivors and how to fill them.

An elder sexual abuse lawyer from Manly, Stewart & Finaldi can aggressively fight back against elder abuse and neglect on your behalf. We treat clients as we would want our own family members to be treated: with respect and compassion.

Having elder sexual abuse attorneys on your side can give your family peace of mind during this traumatic time. You can focus on moving forward while we concentrate on holding the care facility accountable for its actions.

We can leverage our passion and experience to advocate for you or a family member. If you do not know where to turn for answers or support after discovering elder abuse, trust our California elder sexual abuse lawyers to help you obtain the resolution you need.

What Is Elder Sexual Abuse?

If a family member has become the victim of physical elder sexual abuse, it is extremely important that you learn what your legal rights and options for recourse are. It is possible that you may be entitled to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for damages for the emotional or physical trauma that has occurred.

The best way to learn what steps to take in your particular situation is by speaking with a trusted California sexual abuse attorney about the details of the abuse that took place.

What Are the Warning Signs of Nursing Home or Elder Sexual Abuse?

Even if victims have difficulty communicating sexual abuse, family members should look for visible warning signs including some of the following:

• Unexplained blood stains on clothing linens or bedsheets
• Bleeding and bruising in the genital area
• Bruising and handprints on the inner thighs, breasts, and buttocks
• Unusual fear and anxiety, especially when a certain person such as a suspected staff member is nearby
• Presence of a sexually transmitted disease or infection in the genital area
• Depression and refusal to communicate

How Common is Elder Sexual Abuse?

A lot of people may not know about abuse in nursing homes. Since many elderly victims of physical abuse do not come forward on their own to report the abuse, it may be up to loved ones to be on the lookout for signs of emotional abuse, neglect or malnutrition.

If you have someone in a care facility or another long-term living facility, visit as often as you can and pay attention during visits for red flags. If you suspect that someone you care about is a victim of elder sexual abuse you should report your suspicions immediately to the authorities and discuss your situation with an exceptionally qualified elder sexual abuse lawyer.

A legal advocate can inform you of your rights and legal options in your case and assist you in filing a lawsuit to hold the responsible parties liable for their nursing home abuse.

Why Is Elder Sexual Abuse Underreported?

The RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) reports that there are several reasons why elder sexual abuse is underreported. They can include:

• Being unable to report, due to physical or mental ability. For example, dementia patients may have a difficult time remembering what has happened to them or being able to express it to others.
• Depending on the abuser for care and basic needs
• Fearing retaliation from the abuser
• Fearing that reporting the abuse will end with them being placed in an institution
• Feeling ashamed to tell someone that a loved one is hurting them or taking advantage of them
• Having concerns that the report will get the abuser in trouble — this can be especially true if the abuser is someone that the elder is close to or cares about
• There are also times when sexual abuse or assault is reported but isn’t taken seriously because of the victim’s age or assumptions about their mental capabilities.

Abusers in nursing homes are in an extremely powerful position to prevent disclosure. They can threaten to withhold food, medication or other services and use this to intimidate victims. It’s extremely important that if neglect and abuse is discovered, to hold the caregivers accountable.

What Compensation Could I Receive?

At Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, we believe in restoring the power to dependent adults who have suffered emotional abuse, sexual battery or neglect at the hands of caregivers in nursing home settings. We may be able to help you or your family obtain financial compensation from one or more at-fault parties.

The abuser could owe your family money, or else the institution that was in charge of your loved one’s safety and wellbeing could be vicariously liable. Either way, our California sexual elder abuse attorney can help you request an appropriate amount for your damages.

Potential compensation can include:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental or psychosocial harm
• Diminished quality of or enjoyment of life
• Temporary or permanent disabilities
• Abuse-related medical costs
• Wrongful death
• Punitive damages

Many successful physical elderly abuse cases result in punitive damages for the plaintiff. Punitive damages aim to punish the facility or caregiver for gross negligence or malicious intent to emotional/physical harm. A punitive damage award could increase your total financial recovery and help you and your family move forward in peace after physical elder abuse, neglect or harassment.