Elder Abuse Attorney Los Angeles

We help victims of financial elder abuse in Los Angeles

Our elder abuse attorneys are committed advocates for injury victims in Los Angeles County

At Gharibian Law, we are dedicated to taking a stand against elder abuse in Los Angeles. No one deserves to be mistreated, especially those who depend on the care and support of others to live in peace and health. If you or a loved one has fallen victim to abuse or neglect, an experienced elder abuse attorney at Gharibian Law can help.

Elder abuse is the physical, emotional, financial, sexual mistreatment, or neglect of our elders. We are the elder abuse lawyers in Los Angeles senior citizens can rely on to fight for justice on their behalf. We are well well known as a Los Angeles nursing home neglect lawyer and are respected by our peers, insurance companies, and clients.

Elder abuse specifically is defined as someone who is 65 years of age or older being deprived of services that should be in place or having a caregiver or medical professionals treat them in a way that is cruel or otherwise physically, emotionally, or financially detrimental to him or her. Whether your case involves nursing home negligence, nursing home abuse, or any other type of elder abuse, at Gharibian Law we are ready to put our experience to work to see that you get results.

The Signs and Symptoms of Elder Abuse

Various signs and symptoms can indicate that a family member is a victim of elder abuse. These signs and symptoms could be any of the following:

Lack of hygiene
Very dry, flaky skin
Sudden weight loss
Flinching away from physical contact
Dirty clothing and bedding
Unpleasant odor
Hospitalizations while in care
Hearing aids, glasses, walking supports missing

What if You suspect elder abuse?

If you notice elder abuse, whether he or she lives in a nursing home or being supported by in-home caregivers, you must act quickly. It is really important to be sensitive to issues of elder abuse. So, if you believe your loved one may be a victim, and in imminent danger, call the authorities at once. You should consult with our Los Angeles Elder Abuse Attorney to learn more about how to protect the health and well-being of those elderly individuals you care for.

Types of Elder Abuse Cases our Attorneys Handle

Elder abuse, also often called senior abuse, takes a variety of forms. Gharibian Law is one of the nation’s leading elder abuse law firms serving Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. The firm is active in handling a variety of cases involving elder abuse and neglect. Examples of common types of elder abuse lawsuits include: negligent care, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, pressure sores, bone fractures, unexplained bruising, falls and fractures, dehydration, malnutrition, poor hygiene, and wrongful death. We understand the devastating effects that elder abuse can have on you and your loved ones. As one of the few law firms challenging corporations responsible for elder abuse, our experienced attorneys remain dedicated to holding healthcare facilities accountable for the injury and suffering caused by their negligence.

Financial Elder Abuse Lawyer in Los Angeles

The financial elder abuse lawyers at the Gharibian law firm works with this area of law and can assist you to determine if you have a solid case. Once that is covered, the legal team will go over the information provided after a preliminary interview, and do everything in their power to construct a case that will be successful. A professional attorney and the staff should help you with every step of the process, as this can be a complicated matter and you want to be sure that you win.

You can rest assured that the elder abuse attorneys and team members at Gharibian Law know and are sympathetic to the unique circumstances regarding cases brought forward by the elderly. We do our best to keep our clients calm and comfortable and take the time to get the facts of the case put together. We work closely with medical and financial professionals to investigate all of the details with care. Our experienced financial elder abuse attorneys will remain dedicated to the client throughout the proceeding

Emotional

Emotional abuse, also known as psychological abuse, is when someone causes emotional distress or pain in how they speak to an elderly individual. This can be either in nonverbal or verbal form.

Nonverbal Elder Abuse

Terrorizing or menacing
Ignoring the person
Isolating from activities they enjoy and their friends

Verbal Elder Abuse

Ridicule and humiliating tactics
Scapegoating and frequent blaming
Threats and yelling that result in intimidation

Physical

It is crucial to note that this does not include any accidents that occur. It is deliberate use of force against an elder that causes the person injury, impairment or physical pain. This abuse may include hitting, shoving and other means of striking, as well as keeping the person restrained or confined in some manner. Anything that impairs the individual or keeps them from doing what they wish is considered to be physical elder abuse.

Neglect

Elder neglect is the most common type of elder abuse at this time with over half of reported cases falling under this category. It is defined as the failure to fulfill one’s caretaking obligation. Though in some cases it can be unintentional, such as the caretaker denying how much care their charge requires, there are significant consequences when it comes to these matters. Family members, friends, and professional aides all may face legal trouble for abandoning or neglecting an elder who they should be caring for.

Healthcare

Healthcare abuse is when unethical healthcare professionals such as nurses, doctors, staff in the hospital and various providers commit acts that are fraudulent or improper. This comes in several forms, including the following:

Medicaid fraud
Under- or over-medicating
Double-billing or overcharging for services or care that is rendered
Charging for healthcare that is not provided at all
Receiving of kickbacks for prescribing specific drugs or giving referrals to certain providers
Providing recommendations of fraudulent remedies for conditions or illnesses

This is a fairly common issue in recent years, and one that costs Americans millions of dollars each year.

Financial

This is defined as the unauthorized retrieval and use of an elder’s property or funds. It can either be a caregiver or someone who is a scam artist not connected to the individual in any way.

Forms of financial abuse exhibited by caregivers

Forging of the individual’s signature
Stealing of goods, cash, or income checks
Engaging in identity theft
Misuse of the person’s credit cards, accounts or personal checks

Common rackets targeting the elderly include

Charities that are fake
Investment fraud
Telling seniors that they have won a prize that requires them to pay money before it can be claimed

Nursing Home Owners Ask Governor for Protection From Lawsuits

Gharibian Law Files Lawsuit Against La Quinta Care Home Where a Veteran was Murdered

Elder Abuse & Neglect

The lawyers at the Gharibian law firm work with this area of law and can assist you to determine if you have a solid case.

Medical Malpractice

Not every instance of medical malpractice is the same. This can make it complicated at times to prove that there has been some sort of wrong doing.

Wrongful Death Attorney

Personal injury is a category defined by the injury of a person that occurs as a result of the negligence of wrongdoing of an individual or company.

What Is Elder Law?

What is elder abuse?

Elder abuse is the committing of physically, emotionally or financially harmful acts towards a person who is 65 years of age or older. The acts may be forceful or without any contact, such as in the instance of neglect or fraud towards the individual, but they must be intentional for it to be considered abuse.

How are some individuals more vulnerable?

Many senior citizens experience mental and physical health issues that make them more likely to be a target for abuse. Elders who are especially at risk include those who have dementia and victims of domestic abuse who are cared for by their abusive spouses.

How can you tell an elderly person is being abused?

Something that is a clear sign that there are suspicious circumstances is when the person has bruises, burns, broken bones or other injuries that indicate force. In the instance of financial abuse, a significant change in the individual’s funds can mean that he or she has become a victim of exploitation. Perceived arguments and tension between the senior and caregiver can mean that there is something negative going on behind the scenes, such as threats or other emotional trauma.

Who are the abusers?

In many cases, the people who abuse the elderly are closest to them. Most commonly, they are caregivers to the individuals. However, since there are a large number of cases that go unreported there is not enough information to have a clear answer.

How many senior citizens are victims of elder abuse?

There is no way to know for sure how many victims there have been. Studies have been conducted, and in more recent studies it was determined that between 7.6 and 10 percent of participants had been abused. Reports indicated that only 1 out of 10 of these individuals did not experience any financial abuse.

What are some ways to prevent elder abuse?

In order to keep senior citizens safe, it is necessary to make sure that their health is a top priority. This includes mental health and prevention or treatment for substance abuse issues. Stay connected to the community, attend support groups when possible, and create a living will and name a limited power of attorney.

How can I report incidences of elder abuse?

If you or a loved one experience any issues with a professional caregiver or assisted living facility staff member(s), contact the appropriate authorities who are in charge of incident reports.

Who can I call if I suspect there is an abusive situation?

There are multiple agencies and hotlines that you can reach out to if you have suspicion of an abusive situation. One of the most important is Adult Protective Services, which handles a broad category of abuse and neglect concerns and issues. If there is evidence of abuse and you are prepared to seek compensation or justice, contact a law firm in your area. You also can find information through National Legal Resource Center.

What is physical elder abuse?

Physical abuse of elders happens fairly often, due to the fact that many of these individuals are disabled or physically weak. This includes any type of forceful actions towards a senior citizen, whether this is striking or restraining the person in some manner.

What is sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse is when any non-consensual acts are performed on or with someone. This also includes showing of pornographic material, exposing oneself or forcing the individual to undress.

What is emotional abuse?

Emotional or psychological abuse is when someone threatens, belittles, humiliates or otherwise causes another person emotional stress.

What is financial abuse or fraud?

Financial abuse is when someone manipulates to gain control over another person’s money or financial assets. Fraud is when someone poses as the individual or steals their identity to gain access to somebody else’s funds or assets.

What is neglect or abandonment?

Neglect and abandonment is a tricky matter. When an elderly individual is denied the proper care that he or she requires, and/or is not supervised in the manner that is necessary, this is considered to be neglect. This can be intentional or unintentional.

What is healthcare abuse?

Some examples of healthcare abuse include: being charged for care that is not received, under- or over-medicatin, Medicare fraud, and receiving recommendations for remedies that are not appropriate, among other things. It has cost Americans millions of dollars every year.

How can I find good legal representation?

If you believe that you or a loved one has a case with solid legal standing, look for a local law firm with positive reviews. You also can ask relatives, friends and others you know for recommendations of lawyers who handle elder abuse cases.

If you are looking for a person to defend the dignity and rights of your loved one, then you found the right person. ART GHARIBIAN took the time to listen to the facts and was very empathetic to the recent loss of my mother at the time. I was turned down by 3 attorneys prior to gaining the trust of Art. He reassured me....never promised but with due diligence the truth prevailed and he won our case against 2 major health care facilities in California. It wasnt easy nor fast but with patience and the consistent communication between he and I, I never once doubted his ability to get to the truth of the matter. Mr. Gharibian is very professional and compassionate. I would recommend his services. He is definitely the right attorney for wrongful death, elder abuse, facility mismanagement/care. If you're unsure call his office to see if it will be the right fit for you. He's the Best Ever!!!
Amika J., Orange County

I contacted Gharibian Law for a consultation for a potential case and right away I knew I made the best decision. Upon my scheduled appointment, I met with Art who fully explained all my expectations and answered all my questions and concerns. The biggest amazement was the fact that I never had to chase them for updates on my case like I've had to do in the past with other firms. Art and the entire staff are extremely professional, attentive and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended to all my family and friends.
Alex E., Riverside, California

With Art Gharibian, I was represented better than I could have imagined. He was very sympathetic and treated me as a friend rather than one of his clients. Our situation was put first, my opinions valued and my doubts always reassured. He absolutely went above and beyond my expectation to ensure a great outcome. I met with other lawyers before I decided to work with him and I know I couldn't have asked a better one. I feel very comfortable recommending him to anyone with any elder abuse issue.
David O., Los Angeles

I have nothing but great things to say about Art Gharibian Law, he worked really hard on my case, he kept me updated every step of the way. Art got justice for my father, I recommend Art and his firm to anyone looking for a great lawyer!!
Crystal M., Downey, Los Angeles

Art is truly a one of a kind guy. He was so easy to work with in this tough time for my family. Can't recommend him enough. He was so thorough in his explanations and we knew what was going on at all times. He won our case and we couldn't be happier. Thank you Art!
Ivet G., Granada Hills, Los Angeles

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