Chicago Elder Abuse Lawyer

Compensation for Elderly Victims of Physical, Emotional, and Financial Abuse in Chicago

Chicago elder abuse lawyer services are essential when a vulnerable senior is harmed by those entrusted with their care. Elder abuse in Chicago is a growing concern and can take many forms, including physical harm, emotional neglect, financial exploitation, and more.

These acts often occur in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, where residents rely on caregivers for their daily needs. When a facility fails in its duty, it’s a serious breach of trust and safety. A skilled attorney can help you identify the signs of abuse, understand your legal rights, and take action to hold negligent parties accountable.

What Constitutes Elder Abuse? (Physical, Emotional, Neglect)

Elder abuse refers to intentional actions by a caregiver or another person that cause harm or distress to an older adult. Below are three of the most common types:

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves causing bodily harm or pain to an elderly client through intentional actions. Examples include:

• Hitting, slapping, or pushing
• Incorrectly using restraints or confining someone against their will
• Rough handling during caregiving tasks

In some cases, sexual abuse may occur to an older person as well.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

This is harder to identify because it targets an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. Emotional abuse of elderly clients often includes:

• Yelling, belittling, or name-calling
• Threatening the elderly client or creating an intimidating environment
• Deliberately isolating them from friends, family, or activities they enjoy

Neglect

Neglect occurs when employees do not provide proper care to meet the basic needs of an older adult, either intentionally or through inattention. Examples include:

• Failing to provide adequate food, water, or safe shelter
• Ignoring the elder’s hygiene, leaving them in soiled clothing or bedding
• Neglecting to ensure access to necessary medical treatment, medications, or assistive devices

Financial Abuse

Financial exploitation and abuse involve the illegal or improper use of an elder’s funds, property, or assets. Unfortunately, this issue is more common than many realize and often goes unreported due to fear, shame, or lack of awareness.

Elders may fall victim to financial exploitation through various harmful tactics, including:

• Caregiver Theft: They may misuse their position of trust to steal money or valuables from an elderly individual.
• Scams and Fraud: Scams targeting older clients often involve telemarketing ploys, fraudulent prize winnings, or fabricated emergencies requiring immediate payments.
• Undue Influence: Perpetrators may pressure or manipulate an elder into changing legal documents, such as wills or deeds, for personal gain.
• Unauthorized Use of Financial Accounts: This includes accessing an elder’s bank accounts, credit cards, or retirement funds without permission.
• Forged Signatures: Some exploiters may forge documents to gain control of financial assets or property.

Perpetrators of this type of abuse can vary. Strangers may target elderly people through deceptive scams, while caretakers might exploit their access to personal belongings and finances. Sadly, financial exploitation is sometimes committed by the elderly’s loved ones, making it even harder for the victim to speak out.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Recognizing potential signs of elder abuse is an important step in protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring their safety. Below are some warning signs families should be aware of:

• Physical Signs: Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones can be signs of abuse.
• Emotional and Behavioral Changes: Withdrawing from social interactions, showing fear, depression, or agitation. Confusion, hesitation to speak openly, or shifts in personality can also signal mistreatment.
• Signs of Neglect: Look out for poor personal hygiene, dirty or unsafe living environments, dehydration, malnutrition, or untreated medical issues like bedsores.
• Financial Red Flags: Changes in finances, unpaid bills, missing belongings, or unexpected alterations to legal documents like wills or powers of attorney may signal abuse. Be cautious of anyone isolating your loved one while becoming overly involved in their financial matters.

Remaining vigilant and acting when concerns arise can provide elders with immediate support and prevent further harm.

Who Can Be Held Accountable for Harming Seniors?

When elder abuse occurs, several parties may bear responsibility for the harm caused. Understanding who may be held liable is an important step in seeking closure and protecting others from similar mistreatment. Below are some of the parties who could be accountable for harming an older person:

• Individual caretakers: This could include family members or other loved ones as well as professional caregivers who directly neglect, abuse, or exploit an elderly person while in their care.
• Nursing homes or assisted living facilities: Nursing homes or assisted living facilities can be liable for unsafe environments caused by poor employee screening, unqualified hires, or understaffing. They may also be responsible if they ignored signs and reports of abuse.
• Financial exploiters: Perpetrators of financial exploitation and abuse could be family members, trusted acquaintances, or scam artists.

Identifying who is liable in an elder abuse case can be complicated in some cases, but it’s necessary to hold the responsible parties accountable and prevent further harm.

Legal Options for Victims and Families in Illinois

Victims of elder abuse and their families have several options in the legal system to protect their loved ones and seek justice. One common approach is filing a civil lawsuit to recover stolen assets or obtain money for injuries. Legal counsel will file a claim on behalf of the party who suffered the injuries.

Another step families can take is pursuing protective measures, such as filing for orders of protection or addressing issues with guardianship or powers of attorney.

Additionally, perpetrators may face criminal charges, which are handled separately from civil lawsuits. Whether charges are filed will depend on the circumstances and severity of the abuse.

Why You Need an Experienced Elder Abuse Law Firm

When dealing with elder abuse cases, having the support of an attorney can make a significant difference in navigating this challenging process. Here’s how they can help you:

Expertise in Illinois Elder Laws

These cases involve legal complexities that require expert knowledge. The Nursing Home Care Act protects those in nursing facilities, while financial exploitation laws address the criminal side of the issue. An attorney ensures these statutes are applied to uphold your loved one’s rights.

Investigating and Gathering Evidence

Proving that a loved one suffered elder abuse requires collecting a lot of evidence, including medical records, reviews of financial records, and witness statements. An attorney handles these investigations to build a strong case.

Handling Cases Against Individuals and Institutions

Whether dealing with an abusive caretaker, nursing home, or other parties, pursuing legal action involves complicated procedures. Experienced attorneys hold individuals and institutions accountable,and make sure everything is filed properly and on time. They will also handle negotiations or court hearings.

Providing Compassionate Support and Advocacy

Elder abuse cases are emotionally challenging. A qualified law firm combines strong advocacy with compassion, guiding families through every step. The legal team will handle all the legal aspects on your behalf.

How Our Law Firm Fights for Justice for Chicago Seniors

Our attorneys are deeply committed to protecting the rights and dignity of seniors in the Chicago area. We understand the complex and sensitive nature of elder abuse and financial exploitation cases and approach each one with care and professionalism.

With decades of experience handling these matters, our firm has developed the expertise and resources needed to investigate claims thoroughly and hold wrongdoers accountable.

We take the time to listen to our clients and their loved ones to fully understand their concerns and the impact of the abuse. Whether it involves pursuing legal action against individuals or institutions, we are here to help.

We can help you take legal action against elder abuse in facilities like:

• Alden Wentworth Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
• California Gardens Nursing Center
• All American Nursing Home
• Ambassador Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
• Atrium Health Care Center
• Montgomery Place
• Chalet Living & Rehab Center
• Smith Village

Consult Chicago Elder Abuse Lawyers Near You

If you suspect a loved one has suffered elder abuse, you don’t have to face it alone. Pursuing justice can feel overwhelming, but we are here to guide you every step of the way. Our team is dedicated to helping older adults and providing the support they and their loved ones deserve.

Our nursing home abuse lawyers in Chicago work on a contingency fee basis, which means you and your family can obtain the highest quality legal support without paying any fees up front or out of your own pocket. We only get paid if we recover money on your behalf. Contact our attorneys today to discuss your situation and learn how we can help.

Call our law firm at (888) 424-5757 or complete our online contact form if you suspect your loved one is suffering.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.