Southern California is growing older. From Los Angeles to Long Beach, Baby Boomers make up a significant portion of the area’s population. As boomers age, the demand for qualified caregivers and retirement communities continues to rise. While most of these facilities do their best to provide care for the elderly, there are many who engage in blatant elder abuse. According to Adult Protective Services, 90 percent of reported elder abuse is committed by family members and not professional caregivers. Under the California Welfare and Institutions Code 15630, anyone who is responsible for the care or custody of an elder or dependent adult is required to report any abuse or wrongdoing. Failure to report is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail or a $1,000 fine or even both. If the unreported abuse results in death, the caregiver or provider could face a punishment of up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine or both.
Seniors, along with children, are often the most vulnerable people in Southern California. While the elderly deserve to be treated with respect, far too many nursing care facilities, professional caregivers and sadly family members have not only committed physical and emotional abuse, they have also allowed these unethical practices to persist. Here are some of the most common cases of elder abuse in Los Angeles.
Whether it is our parents, grandparents or a close loved one, seniors deserve to live a good quality of life. The abuse of Southern California senior citizens should never be tolerated. It is not only a crime to inflict elder abuse, it is also a crime for caregivers and nursing facilities to ignore these unethical practices. If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder abuse, the Los Angeles attorney at JML Law can help. Their team of personal injury attorneys bring an extensive track record of protecting the rights of each client and always looking for their best interests. To learn more, contact their Los Angeles personal injury law office today and schedule a consultation to discuss your case.