Dedicated Elder Physical Abuse Lawyer in Green Bay, Wisconsin
There are several types of elder abuse, but the physical abuse is the most serious. Please alert the police immediately if you suspect that your senior loved one is purposely injured by a home caregiver, nursing home staff member, or even another institution resident. Your elder may rely on you to assist them in escaping the circumstance.
After ensuring their safety, you should contact a dedicated Green Bay elder physical abuse lawyer at Silver Divorce Wisconsin. We have devoted our law practice to safeguarding the legal rights of mistreated seniors by advocating for their best interests outside of court. Contact our legal office immediately to understand what compensation you and your elderly may be entitled to.
Why Do You Need an Elder Physical Abuse Lawyer in Wisconsin?
It’s hard to think about our elderly loved ones being abused, but the fact is that it does happen. And when it does, it’s important to have a lawyer who knows how to handle these sensitive cases. Our skilled Green Bay elder physical abuse lawyer can help you take action against the abuser and get justice for your loved one. We know the ins and outs of the legal system and will be able to guide you through every step of the process.
The Elder Abuse and Neglect Act requires the state of Wisconsin to investigate elder abuse accusations, in addition to the criminal statutes that allow for the punishment of those who commit physical assaults.
But Silver Divorce Wisconsin can go further in supporting you if a loved one has been subjected to physical abuse in a nursing facility or at home than state and local officials. We can examine the situation, monitor the state’s investigation and any steps taken, and supply the state with pertinent information as necessary.
Our goal is to ensure not only that a detrimental condition is rectified and that the victim of physical abuse is financially compensated. Through a personal injury case, we may assist a senior citizen who has been physically mistreated in seeking compensation for their losses, including medical expenditures, property damage or loss, and pain and suffering.
What is Elderly Physical Abuse?
Physical elder abuse is the infliction or threat of physical pain or harm, or the deprivation of a basic need. Physical abuse may involve punching, slapping, kicking, or other forms of striking, grasping, shoving, or tugging a senior citizen. It may involve exposing the victim to unclean or otherwise harmful conditions, such as lack of bathing, lack of warm clothes in the winter, or denial of critical medical attention or medicine.
The National Center on Elder Abuse identifies two categories of elder abuse:
Domestic Elder Abuse
Mistreatment by a person with whom the senior has a close relationship (i.e., a spouse, sibling, child, caregiver, or another close associate).
Institutional Abuse
Mistreatment in residential institutions (nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, board, and care homes, foster homes, etc.), is typically performed by someone with a legal or contractual duty to give care or protection to the victim (i.e., a staff member).
In either scenario, the abuser may be punished legally, and the victim or family members on the victim’s behalf may be entitled to seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Why Do Elder Physical Abuse Somewhat Vague?
Abuse can continue for weeks, months, or even years without anybody noticing or the victim reporting it. The elderly are particularly prone to victim silence, as they are frequently unsure of what is happening to them and fear escalating violence if they speak up.
Due to these factors, you must keep a tight eye on your loved one. Examine the child for bruises, wounds, burn marks, and other physical symptoms of maltreatment. As your loved one’s cover tales may be muddled, pay close attention to his or her explanations of how the injuries occurred.
You may also observe the nurses and other medical personnel and listen to their explanations of the injuries. If you suspect abuse, you should immediately report it to the police and contact our professional elder law attorney.
What Are the Common Types of Physical Abuse to the Elderly?
The elderly placed in a nursing home or under the constant supervision of a caregiver has the right to feel secure at all times. Any type of physical violence against them is unlawful and utterly unacceptable. Aggressive orderlies may attempt to justify their aggressive actions by citing an elder’s frustrations or lack of cooperation, but these are only excuses.
If you suspect any of the following categories of elder physical abuse, you should immediately call our devoted Green Bay elder physical abuse lawyer. Physical abuse of the elderly can be perpetrated by:
- hitting or striking a senior citizen
- using force to keep an older in bed
- pushing an elderly person
- hurling items at an elderly
Elders who experienced abuse, even mild maltreatment, had an increased risk of mortality compared to those who did not.
PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONES
Abuse and neglect are never okay. Get the protection you need to keep your loved ones comfortable and safe.
What Are the Different Warning Signs of Elder Physical Abuse?
An elder may feel incapable of speaking up due to their physical abuser’s intimidation. In other instances, people may be under the mistaken impression that nobody will take their accusations seriously. For these reasons, family and friends need to pay constant attention to their elderly loved ones who are under the care of others.
You may be responsible for recognizing the indicators of physical abuse and acting accordingly to assist the victim. The following are frequent yet subtle indications of physical abuse:
- Contusions
- Burns or scrape
- Broken bones
- Persistent sores or wounds
- Bloody, torn, or dirty clothes or bedding
- Ligature markings around the hands, feet, arms, and chest (signs of restraints being used, which is unlawful in nursing homes except in strictly defined situations)
- Sudden shifts in attentiveness
- Becoming unsociable
- Lacerations
- Sprains
- Plasters
- Untreated disease
- Poor personal hygiene (lack of bathing or brushing teeth, unkempt hair, etc.)
- Personal things such as spectacles and hearing aids that are broken
- Disengagement from previously enjoyed activities
- Becoming irritated or afraid in the presence of particular people, such as nursing home employees or certain family members
How to Document a Suspected Elder Physical Abuse?
You presumably gave careful consideration to where to entrust your elderly loved one’s care. You may have chosen a trustworthy family member, a sitter, a nursing home, or an assisted living facility to give care to. Regardless of your choice, you probably never anticipated abuse.
However, what if you suspect abuse? What should you do if you suspect a caregiver has harmed an elderly loved one? Taking the appropriate measures may make a significant difference not just in safeguarding your loved one’s health and well-being, but also in your capacity to seek compensation for the abuse.
Get in Touch With Our Experienced Elder Physical Abuse Lawyer as Soon as Possible
Do not wait or attempt to address your complaint on your own if you feel that your senior loved one has been abused by a caregiver or a relative. If you suspect elder abuse, you need the aid of our experienced Green Bay elder physical abuse lawyer, who can guide you through the process of researching probable abuse, safeguarding your loved one, and making a claim if necessary. We can:
Aid You in Gathering Evidence
Inexperience and lack of information may also cause you to overlook critical signs of your loved one’s abuse. In contrast, when you engage with us, you will receive crucial guidance on what constitutes evidence and how to acquire it.
Assist You in Deciding What to Do Next
When you believe that a loved one is abused, you may not know what to do. Can you restrict the perpetrator’s access to your loved one? Should you remove your loved one from a particular care facility or transfer care away from suspicion of abuse? By collaborating with our seasoned lawyer for elder physical abuse, you may have a better understanding of your next steps, how to take them, and what to expect in the future.
Assist You in Understanding What Compensation Your Loved One Deserves After Abuse
Depending on the severity of your loved one’s abuse, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. You are eligible for compensation for:
- Medical expenses incurred as a result of maltreatment
- Distress and suffering
- Finances lost via financial abuse
- If necessary, the expense of relocating your loved one to a new care facility
- The amount of missed wages incurred as a result of managing your loved one’s medical requirements following abuse
In certain situations, you may be able to collect considerable compensation for your loved one, particularly if a nursing home or assisted living facility is liable for the abuse. By collaborating with our seasoned elder physical abuse lawyer, you may have a better understanding of how much compensation your loved one deserves and how to obtain it.
Document Everything Related to the Abuse
When you believe that a loved one has been abused, you should document the situation as thoroughly as possible. This might be embarrassing for an older loved one, especially if they feel guilty for the abuse, but it can give crucial evidence to support your claim.
Even if you suspect or see abuse, it does not always indicate that others will concur with you. If you suspect elder abuse, you may need to report your concerns to a nursing home administrator or the police. To assist in safeguarding your loved one, you should begin by gathering evidence of the abuse.
Photograph Any Injuries
If you observe apparent injuries on your loved one, you should photograph all of them, such as bruises, contusions, and fractured bones. Note the location of the injury as well as the date the photograph was taken. You may also take photographs of any more indicators of abuse. For instance, if you suspect that your loved one has lost weight owing to neglect, you should document the weight loss visually.
Document the Actual Injuries
When you observe a loved one experiencing injuries, document them. Remember the following:
- Where the injury happened
- What your family member has to say about the injury
- Any explanation made for the injury by nursing home employees or caregivers
A caretaker may frequently justify a single small injury as an accident. However, if these injuries accumulate over time, you may have a stronger case against the caregiver and be able to seek compensation.
Keep Track of Any Allegations of Abuse Made by Your Loved One
Most often, when an elder alleges mistreatment, loved ones listen attentively. In many instances, however, family members may attribute allegations of elder abuse to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, which can create severe disorientation in many elderly individuals.
Nonetheless, if your loved one alleges abuse, even if you suspect delusion, be sure to document these accusations. Over time, you may observe a trend, such as a certain caregiver being often accused of abuse.
In other situations, your loved one’s allegations may serve as a beginning point for identifying the abuser. This paperwork may also give you a clearer understanding of when or how frequently the abuse happened. Always assess and research allegations of abuse thoroughly so that you do not overlook crucial evidence that your loved one has been mistreated.
Document All Complaints Against the Nursing Home or Provider of Care
If you observe issues with your loved one’s care or suspect a specific caregiver of giving poor care or abusing your loved one, you may immediately file a complaint with the nursing home director or the caregiver’s employer (the company that sends out in-home caregivers, for example). Whenever you complain about the care given to a loved one, especially an elderly loved one, be careful to document and monitor your concerns.
If you send an email, save it in a dedicated folder for easy access in the future. You had a face-to-face chat, correct? Be mindful of it. This record not only illustrates the history of difficulties with a particular care provider, but it may also help you watch how the care provider’s conduct changes in reaction to your complaints and comments. In some situations, it can give a purpose for future abuse.
Discuss the Injuries With Other Individuals
Does your loved one sustain more injuries, such as bumps and bruises, when a certain nurse assumes care? Do you see an increase in injuries when a certain individual visits? Discuss the injuries with those around you. You may not want to approach the suspected caregiver immediately.
Documenting serious injuries can give crucial documents that help establish the abuse. You may need these documents to identify the perpetrator of your loved one’s abuse or to file a lawsuit against that individual. In addition, your paperwork might assist you in obtaining the treatment your loved one requires after experiencing abuse at the hands of another person.
Acquire Copies of All Vital Documents
Request your loved one’s consent to view pertinent records while you try to prove the mistreatment of your loved one. If you already have power of attorney for your loved one, you can access these data without difficulty. If not, ask our skilled Green Bay elder physical abuse lawyer for assistance in locating pertinent facts. You may require access to:
Medical Documents
If your loved one suffers from persistent abuse at the hands of a caregiver or family member, medical records may be able to shed light on the abuse’s pattern. For instance, documentation describing malnutrition or dehydration may suggest serious neglect. Medical records can offer an accurate depiction of your loved one’s injuries, particularly serious traumas.
Multiple allegations of shattered bones or severe brain injuries, for instance, might be indicative of abuse. As they have an obligation to their patients to report suspected abuse, medical professionals may also note or report any suspected abuse.
Consult our knowledgeable elder physical abuse lawyer immediately if you feel an older family member has been abused. Not only may we assist you in reporting your concerns and investigating the allegation, but we can also assist you with removing your loved one from a potentially harmful environment and seeking compensation for the abuse.
How Can You Report a Suspected Elder Physical Abuse in Wisconsin?
Assault and battery, which are crimes, entail physical abuse. Anyone who thinks an older person is being physically assaulted must report it to the authorities. If you believe a nursing home patient or older adult living in the community is in imminent danger, call 911 for emergency response assistance if you are unable to quickly assist them in obtaining the necessary aid.
If emergency medical staff evaluate a patient and suspect a crime, such as assault or battery, they will notify law authorities. Report your concerns of physical abuse to facility management at a nursing home or other long-term care institution, but do not immediately believe their promises and explanations.
You should also report your concerns about physical abuse to state authorities, who can conduct an investigation and provide assistance to the victim. Also essential is contacting our competent Green Bay elder physical abuse lawyer who examines incidents of physical abuse affecting Wisconsin elderly in the community or nursing facilities.
Our elder physical abuse lawyer representing the victim can independently investigate the situation and seek compensation for the victim’s losses and expenditures linked to the abuse.
How Can You Avoid Physical Abuse to Your Elderly Loved Ones?
By often visiting, observing social and visual indicators, and monitoring your loved one’s physical and mental state, you should detect symptoms of physical abuse in time to stop it. Even if your loved one does not exhibit external indications of abuse, he or she may have internal injuries or bruises that are concealed by clothes. Observe changes in conduct, such as hostile or strained relationships with staff or retreat from routine activities.
We hope family members would report physical abuse at a nursing home, but this rarely occurs. Elderly abuse victims may suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s and be unable to describe the abuse they are experiencing. They may remain silent out of worry that an employee would penalize them more or out of concern that they will not be believed. It is the responsibility of a sane family member or friend to observe suspicious behavior during visits and report it on behalf of their loved ones.
Your Compassionate Elder Physical Abuse Lawyer in Green Bay, Wisconsin
We have devoted the majority of our practice to representing nursing home neglect and elder abuse litigation. Silver Divorce Wisconsin has handled several challenging elder physical injury and complication claims. In Wisconsin, our firm has earned a reputation for its expertise and extensive experience in nursing home negligence and elder physical abuse.
Please contact our compassionate Green Bay elder physical abuse lawyer without delay. If you require professional legal counsel for a claim of physical elder abuse, you can rely on us to handle your case with devotion and diligence. Contact us for additional details.
