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Metairie Physical Abuse of the Elderly Lawyers
Our Metairie elder physical abuse attorneys are here to help
The elder abuse lawyers at Garcia & Artigliere understand the profound impact physical abuse inflicts on our elderly population. The mistreatment of our seniors is unfortunately a disturbing reality, and we are here to help. We want to help shine a light on the problem of elder physical abuse, identify the liable parties, and work to ensure your loved one secures the compensation they deserve for the harm they’ve suffered - call us today to schedule a consultation.
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What is elder abuse?
The CDC defines elder abuse as “an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult. An older adult is someone age 60 or older. The abuse occurs at the hands of a caregiver or a person the elder trusts.”
What is physical abuse in Metairie?
According to the CDC, physical abuse is “when an elder experiences illness, pain, injury, functional impairment, distress, or death as a result of the intentional use of physical force and includes acts such as hitting, kicking, pushing, slapping, and burning.”
This also includes actions like:
- Restraining or confining the victim
- Overmedication or medication mistakes
- Denying basic needs
- Sexual abuse
Even just one instance of physical abuse can have serious consequences for an elderly adult, both physically and psychologically. If you believe a loved one is being physically abused in someone else’s care, talk to our Metairie elder physical abuse attorneys as soon as possible.
What are the signs of physical elder abuse?
Ensure you monitor your loved one for signs of physical abuse, which can include things like:
- Unexplained injuries
- Multiple ER or urgent care visits
- Broken or fractured bones
- Multiple injuries in different stages of healing
- Internal injuries
- Head and facial trauma, including black eyes or ear injuries
- Patchy hair loss
- Broken glasses
- Pinch marks, or slap or finger marks
- Bruises, scratches, cuts, lacerations
- Burns
- Restraint marks
You should also look for caregiver red flags, which can include:
- Patient doesn’t want to be left alone with their caregiver
- Patient is hesitant to talk around the caregiver
- Caregiver refuses to allow the patient to be seen alone
- Caregiver is reluctant to cooperate with care plan
- Caregiver isolates patient from family, friends, activities, and information
- Caregiver denies patient their basic rights
- Caregiver is angry or indifferent to the patient
- Caregiver is verbally abusive to you or the patient
- Caregiver has a history of violence
Talk to your loved one if you notice any of these warning signs. Our Metairie elder physical abuse attorneys will launch an investigation and work to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.
What is domestic vs. institutional physical abuse?
Domestic physical abuse refers to acts of violence, harm, or mistreatment inflicted upon an elderly person within their own home or in a familial or caregiver relationship. This can include situations where a family member, spouse, or caregiver physically assaults, hits, pushes, or otherwise harms an elderly individual.
On the other hand, institutional physical abuse occurs within institutional settings where the elderly reside, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or group homes. This form of abuse involves staff members or other residents inflicting physical harm or using physical force against elderly residents. Institutional physical abuse can take various forms, including hitting, pushing, rough handling, restraint misuse, or neglecting to provide necessary medical attention, resulting in harm.
Both forms of abuse are serious violations of the rights and well-being of the elderly.
How do I report suspected physical abuse of my elderly loved one in Metairie?
If you think your loved one is suffering physical abuse, you must report it to authorities. You can take the following steps to report abuse:
- If your elderly loved one is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical attention, call 911 for immediate help.
- You can also contact Adult Protective Services, a government agency that investigates and intervenes in cases of elder abuse.
- If the abuse occurred in a nursing home or long-term care facility, you can contact the state Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, which advocates for residents’ rights.
- If the abuse is related to your loved one’s medical care, consult healthcare providers who can document their injuries and provide medical assistance. These healthcare workers may also be mandatory reporters and can inform the appropriate authorities.
- Talk to family and friends. They may be able to corroborate your concerns and serve as witnesses during any investigation.
- Don’t forget to document evidence. This means photographing any visible injuries and taking notes about the circumstances of the abuse.
Next, talk to a Metairie elder abuse lawyer at Garcia & Artigliere to help understand your legal options and protect your loved one’s rights. We want to help. We understand that reporting any suspected abuse is the first step in stopping further harm and holding the right people liable.
Do you have a Metairie elder abuse attorney near me?
Garcia & Artigliere has offices at 400 Poydras Street, Suite 2045, New Orleans, LA 70130. We can also arrange video calls or off-site visits if you are unable to travel due to your condition.
Call our Metairie physical abuse of the elderly lawyers today
Do you suspect your loved one is suffering from physical abuse? At Garcia & Artigliere, our Metairie elder physical abuse lawyers have the experience and the resources to help. We understand the challenges of elder abuse cases and are sensitive to your and your family’s needs. We are here to provide the legal support you need to hold the right people accountable for the harm your loved one has endured. Our attorneys have over $3 billion in positive results. Let us help you too. Call our offices or contact us today to set up a free consultation.