How an Attorney can Help Seniors with Their Legal Needs
Whether you are a senior Baltimore resident or have a loved one, that is, you want to make sure they have quality representation available for their legal needs if they ever need to use it. Many of these residents could be taken advantage of when it comes to elder abuse. Below are signs of elder abuse and how a Baltimore elder abuse attorney can help protect you or those you care about who may be suffering from it.
What is Elder Abuse?
Unfortunately, elder abuse comes in several forms. Below are the most common:
- Physical Elder Abuse
- Mental Elder Abuse
- Financial Elder Abuse
- Sexual Elder Abuse
- Medical Malpractice
- Neglect
These types of elder abuse can be happening in the home, the assisted living facility, or by a caretaker who comes by your elderly relatives’ house and visits regularly. While many assume it is directly related to a nursing home, be mindful of family members who seem to have other intentions. Also, medical staff and caretakers in a facility could result from the abuse happening to your loved ones, which a Baltimore elder abuse lawyer investigates.
Signs of Elder Abuse
If you think something is going on with your loved one, watch for the signs below to determine if there is, in fact, elder abuse and how you need to move forward.
- Missing funds from their bank accounts. If you notice that small withdrawals are being made or your loved one is having financial difficulty all of a sudden, then there may be financial abuse taking place.
- Has their health taken a downward spiral? Maybe they have started losing weight quickly, or their hygiene is lacking when you see them. This means that they may be malnourished from neglect and not taken care of by the responsible party.
- Do you have staff members calling before your visit discouraging you from coming? If it seems like they are trying to hide something from you, they probably are.
- Bruises, confusion, and joint sprains are signs that they could be physically abused by those they are supposed to trust the most.
- Does the medical doctor seem to ignore new signs and symptoms that your loved one is experiencing? Medical neglect is absolute, and doctors refuse to treat the elderly or diagnose certain conditions that can adversely impact their quality of life.
If any of these signs start to sound familiar, it is time to get a lawyer involved. You do not want this to continue worsening the condition of your loved one, as it will only continue to get worse until it cannot.
How Can an Attorney Help You with an Elder Abuse Case?
When you seek legal representation, you can expect them to fight for your loved ones’ rights, freedom, and the ability to have safety and security no matter where they live.
Have Them Discharged or Transferred Safely
Once you open a case on suspicion and signs of abuse to your loved one, you want to make sure they are moved in a way that is safe and secure. Your MD elder abuse lawyer can see to it that your family member is relocated to a new facility and oversee the process so that there is no retaliation, and all safety measures are taken care of.
Get Justice for Your Family Member
If there is a known case of elder abuse, you want to get justice for them, even if they are no longer with us. These are the kind of legal needs that Maryland elderly abuse lawyers strive to offer once they take on the case and review all the evidence. Your loved ones can be compensated for their trouble, or their estate will be paid while also getting justice. These caretakers, staff members, and responsible facilities will be held accountable for their actions and prevent them from happening to current or future elderly residents.
Contact the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason Today
If you are looking for an MD Senior abuse attorney or other experienced Maryland elder abuse lawyers to help with similar legal needs, our firm is ready to assist you with your case. Contact us today for a consultation to see how best we can help you with your issue.