Allegheny County Elder Abuse Attorneys Fight Against Mistreatment and Exploitation

Allison Park firm assists Pennsylvania seniors and their families 

Elderly people deserve our respect and care as they deal with the physical problems of aging. Sadly, there are cruel individuals who exploit the vulnerability of seniors in various ways. Strong advocates are needed to secure a measure of legal relief for older people who have experienced physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse. At Abernethy & Hagerman, LLC in Allison Park, Pennsylvania, our accomplished lawyers are dedicated to achieving justice for the elderly and to holding accountable those who abuse them. 

Types of elder abuse

Elder abuse can occur in many ways, such as the following:

• Physical harm — We handle cases of elderly people who have beaten, kicked, slapped or otherwise subjected to physical force by family members, daycare attendants and nursing home employees. 
• Emotional abuse — Verbal abuse, gaslighting, bullying and other forms of emotional mistreatment can have a severe negative effect on an elderly individual’s mental and physical health. 
• Neglect — Nursing home facilities, adult daycare centers and in-home attendants have a responsibility to attend to the needs of seniors placed in their care. Failure to do so can lead to falls, bedsores, malnutrition or dehydration. 
• Sexual abuse — Predators often seek out victims who are unable to speak out about what happened to them or who might not be believed if they do. This can make elderly individuals targets of sexual abuse. 
• Financial manipulation — A family member, caregiver or someone pretending to be a friend might coerce an older person into giving them control of their finances or into providing payments without receiving something comparable in return. 

Whatever the particular type of elder abuse involved, we battle to help victims obtain suitable monetary compensation for the mistreatment they’ve endured. Specific damages can include reimbursement of medical expenses, compensation for pain and suffering and restitution for financial losses. 

Warning signs that a senior is being mistreated

It can be very difficult for a victim of elder abuse to share what has been happening to them. That is why family and friends must always be cognizant of unexplained changes in behavior and other potential warning signs, such as the following:

• Bruises, sores or cuts with no apparent cause
• Sudden weight loss
• Lack of personal hygiene
• Personality changes, such as an unwillingness to engage in conversation
• Difficulty sleeping or eating

Of course, seniors may have various medical problems, so there might be an innocent explanation for the conditions you are noticing. However, you should not overlook the possibility of abuse until you are certain that there is another cause. An elder law attorney can investigate what is happening with your loved one to determine if a legal claim is warranted. 

Fraudulent financial schemes that frequently target older Americans 

People of all ages are taken in by financial scams. Older people are frequently victims of fraud because many have accumulated substantial wealth over their lifetimes and they might not have a sophisticated understanding of finances or schemes that target seniors online or over the phone. Moreover, elderly individuals are sometimes isolated and are taken in by people who are paying close attention to them. If someone you love appears to have been the victim of identity theft, a telemarketing scam, a crooked investment scheme, healthcare fraud, a dishonest online solicitation or something else, our firm will pursue justice against the parties responsible. 

Contact a Pennsylvania attorney about a case of elder abuse or fraud 

Abernethy & Hagerman, LLC advocates for elderly Pennsylvanians who have been victimized by physical abuse, nursing home neglect or financial fraud. Please call 412-486-6624 or contact us online to make an appointment if you have been harmed in this way or have a loved one who was. From our office in Allison Park, we serve clients throughout Allegheny County and the surrounding areas.