Elder Abuse Attorneys San Diego

Signs That Someone Needs to Locate an Attorney

If you are an older individual and feel that you’ve been abused; or maybe you’re the friend or family member of an elderly individual who is possibly being abused, there are some common abuse signs you may notice.

A close family member, health care provider, child of the elder individual may be the abuser, or in some cases, the abuse may be self-inflicted. Self-inflicted abuse means that an elderly individual may not be able to care for their personal health and hygiene needs but refuses help. In this case, an attorney can help set up a guardianship situation; one where someone else may have the right to make decisions that affect the individuals care.

Elderly abuse can occur in any setting. In an individual’s home, in assisted living homes, a doctor’s office, a care institution, or even reputable retirement communities.

The Mayo Clinic offers the following round-up of elder abuse signs:

• Injury: Bodily injury may be one of the easier abuse signs to catch. An elder may complain of pain, show bruising, cuts, or broken bones. However, keep in mind that not all injuries can be identified by sight, A concussion for instance, or a bruise covered by clothing.
• Basic needs neglected: If an individual lacking basic needs such as food, hygiene, proper clothing, warm housing, and other needs, that is neglect, which is one form of abuse.
• Monetary abuse: Financial theft, using funds for personal gain rather than providing for elder care, and other abuse of an individual’s money is considered abuse. If an elder is missing funds, can’t pay their bills, or mentions that possessions such as jewelry is missing there may be some financial abuse going on. In some cases, a care provider accepting a gift of either money or property is considered abuse as well.
• Emotional changes: An individual who recently has had a change in personality, such as, the person shows signs of depression, anxiety, fear, or anger is a possible sign of abuse. Along with emotional changes, behavioral changes may be evident as well, if there is abuse. This could be issues like sleeping pattern changes or loss of appetite.

Locating Elder Abuse Attorneys: San Diego-Based Services

If you even think there is a chance of abuse it’s important to know your legal rights and the actions you should take. The first priority is personal safety for the individual experiencing abuse. If you can remove yourself, or remove your loved one from a dangerous situation, that’s the first step.

After removing an individual (when possible) from the situation it’s time to research elder abuse attorneys. San Diego-based attorneys who specialize in this subject is your best option. There are some attorneys who spend all their efforts on elder abuse, and they’ll have more resources at hand, and the correct knowledge to help.

In San Diego there are plenty of elder abuse attorneys. Following are some attorneys you may wish to contact. Many offer free initial consultations.

• Walters & Caietti: 1-866-623-5655
• Kevin Quinn: 1-800-577-2922 or 619-236-9363
• Joel Bryant: 800-706-3000
• Law Offices of Jedd E. Bogage: 1-619-717-2567 Offers many good articles on elder abuse at their website as a nice bonus.
• Berman & Riedel, LLP: 1-858-350-8855

Other Resources

If elder abuse attorneys, San Diego-based services are not exactly what you’re looking for or you need advice about low-cost options, consider these other resources.

• Elder Abuse Hotline in San Diego: 1-800-510-2020
• San Diego Police Department Elder and Dependent Abuse Unit
• National Center on Elder Abuse NCEA Elder Abuse Newsletter
• California Courts Self-Help Center: Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse
• California Attorney General's Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse Bureau
• California SafeState: Elder & Dependent Adult Abuse Media Campaign
• Elder Abuse Financial Protection Network