Criminal Injury Lawyers

California is home to an increasing population of the elderly. By the year 2020, the elderly population of California is expected to be 14 percent of the nation’s total elderly population. There are laws and regulations in California that are designed to protect the elderly.

When these laws are broken, the person or entity responsible for the abuse, neglect, or manipulation will be held responsible in a criminal court. However, it is important that each individual elderly person also receive their own justice in a personal court; criminal charges against the abuser are not enough to repair the damage done to the victim.  This calls for a criminal injury lawyer.

There are three types of abuses that are most common with elderly:

• Neglect
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Mental abuse

Neglect takes many forms and may be difficult to catch.

Sometimes nutrition and hydration are insufficient, leading to dehydration and malnutrition and weakness. At other times, the hygiene and cleaning given to the patient may be insufficient. As a result, the patient may be dirty, suffer from skin disorders, tooth problems, or even bedsores which can eventually lead to fatal infections.

Even just social neglect may take place with the patient not receiving enough interaction or being made to feel comfortable and confident. As many elderly must receive daily medication, sometimes the neglect takes form or the withholding of medications or treatments that are necessary.

Physical abuse is increasingly common not only in care facilities, but where private caretakers are involved. The elderly may be mishandled, physically beaten, or even restrained.

Sometimes they are pushed and shoved, the injuries being explained away as clumsiness or falls. Physical abuse can be criminally prosecuted, but should also be handled by a personal injury lawyer so that the damages can be undone as much as possible. Additional medical care and testing will be needed to help find and treat any problems caused by the criminal abuse.
Sexual abuse is one of the most tragic forms of abuse an elderly person can receive.

The vulnerability of the elderly leaves them particularly susceptible to the depravity of others. Obviously these crimes can be punished in a criminal court, but should be taken to a personal court as well. Again, testing will be necessary for transmittable disease and other harms that can be done to the victim.

Mental abuse can occur not only as a result of the above abuses, but also apart from them. Of course, the emotional and psychological pains of abuse will harm the elderly person. But sometimes the caretakers or facilities participate in specifically mental abuse. This can include belittling or yelling at the elderly patients. At other times, purposeful withholding of social interaction, visits, and fun can cause great pain to the elderly victim.

Treatment for these psychological wrongs will be necessary, and a criminal court may not take this into consideration as strongly as a victim needs. A personal injury attorney will fight for all the therapy, care, and consideration that the elderly victim needs desperately after such abuse.

Elder Abuse lawyers Can Help

If your loved one is the victim of possible criminal elderly abuse and you need a personal injury lawyer to protect them, Michael Ehline of Ehline Law Firm PC, can help. Michael Ehline understands well what it takes to fight hard and ethically for a victim. As a Marine, Michael Ehline has the determination and drive it takes to win for the victim and their family. Ehline Law Firm PC, has offices located conveniently throughout most of California. If you would like more information, please call 1-888-400-9721.