When considering the most vulnerable populations in the United States, people often think of the youngest and the oldest. While they are in vastly different stages of life, both children and older adults deserve protection and quality care. Unfortunately, seniors often draw the short straw when it comes to genuine and compassionate service. Nursing home neglect is fairly common, and during the pandemic, many believe its prevalence worsened. In many cases, elderly abuse becomes fatal to older adults in their more vulnerable state. If you believe your older loved one is a victim of abuse or neglect, contact an elderly abuse attorney like Mathew Breen at Lowcountry Law, LLC, to protect their rights!
The Warning Signs of Elderly Abuse
You know your loved one best. Often, if something feels off, it likely is!
It’s essential to pay attention to your loved ones when visiting them in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Changes in behavior are often the key to noticing hidden issues, like emotional abuse or neglect. Signs to look out for include:
Bruises or injury: While it’s true that older adults bruise and break more easily, these incidents should be infrequent. If your loved one has a bruise on their arm or a new injury every time you visit, that is likely a sign of physical abuse.- Abrupt behavior change: If you know an older adult as loud and boisterous, sudden meekness is a sign for alarm. Additionally, those usually quiet may start lashing out, sometimes even with uncharacteristic violence. These behavior changes are common consequences of emotional abuse or neglect.
- Sudden weight loss: Everything about your body changes as it gets older, but sudden and excessive weight loss is usually a sign of a problem. Older adults who are underfed or refusing to eat may be struggling with neglectful or abusive caretakers.
While not all older adults experiencing elderly abuse will exhibit these signs, knowing what to look for is often helpful when you aren’t sure about your loved one’s safety. Always look for warning signs, and if you find any, it may be worth investigating to determine if your older adult is at risk.
How an Elderly Abuse Attorney Fights for You
If your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, it may be difficult to know where to start. Often, you can’t stay by their side every day to ensure their safety, and contacting the staff may only get you so far. However, hiring an elderly abuse attorney in Myrtle Beach can help you win your fight for justice, earning you fair compensation!
We start, as always, with a free consultation. Here, Matthew Breen will review your case with you and determine how much it may be worth. Then, he’ll begin by building evidence.
Incident reports, security footage, and witness statements are all pieces of information that he will help acquire for your case. By building a strong case, we can better represent you and your loved ones in court or during settlement negotiations.
Additionally, Matthew Breen will assist you in filing your claim and communicating with the insurance company on your behalf. Unfortunately, many insurance companies try to reduce your compensation, saving themselves money. As an experienced elderly abuse attorney, Matthew Breen will protect your compensation, allowing you and your family to get the justice you deserve!
Protect Your Family With Lowcountry Law, LLC on Your Side!
Our elders have done so much in their lives, and they deserve effective and compassionate care when they need it. Sometimes, nursing home abuse can be difficult to detect. Fortunately, there are signs to watch out for in case your loved ones are in distress! At Lowcountry Law, LLC, we encourage you to seek legal assistance when filing a nursing home abuse claim, as an experienced elderly abuse attorney can be crucial for gathering evidence and building a strong case.
Book a free consultation today with Matthew Breen to learn what your case may be worth!
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