Supportive Elderly Abuse Attorneys to Protect You
Trusting someone else to care for your elderly loved one is never easy. Whether the care is provided at home, by a relative, or through a professional caregiver, you expect them to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. Sadly, even with the best intentions, many seniors suffer abuse at the hands of those entrusted to care for them.
Elder abuse can happen in private homes, assisted living communities, or even during in-home care. It can take many forms—including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and financial exploitation. Often, the signs aren’t obvious at first, making it even more important to stay alert and take concerns seriously.
No matter what type of abuse has occurred, it’s critical to speak with a legal professional right away. Taking quick action can help stop the abuse and protect both your loved one and others who may also be at risk.
If you believe that you or someone you care about has been the victim of elder abuse, the experienced attorneys at Spiros Law, P.C. are here to help. We serve clients across Illinois, including in Champaign, Danville, and Kankakee. Reach out today to discuss your situation with a qualified attorney.
I Think a Family Member Is Abusing an Elder – What Should I Do?
It’s heartbreaking, but elder abuse can happen—even at the hands of a family member. If someone you know is in immediate danger, call the police right away. Don’t wait.
However, if the situation doesn’t seem urgent but you still suspect something is wrong, there are steps you can take to protect your loved one:
Go online: Reach out to your local Adult Protective Services (APS). They handle reports of elder abuse and can step in to investigate.
Call for help: Dial 1-800-677-1116 to connect with the Eldercare Locator, a trusted resource that can guide you to local support. They’re available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
In many states, healthcare professionals—like doctors, nurses, and home health aides—are required by law to report any signs of elder abuse. These individuals are known as mandated reporters because it’s their legal duty to speak up.
Taking action might feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Support is out there to help keep your loved one safe.
Should I Hire an Injury Lawyer?
We understand how difficult it is to trust someone else with the care of your elderly loved one. Whether the care is happening at home, through a private caregiver, or in an assisted living setting, you expect them to be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected, it’s natural to feel angry, confused, and heartbroken. But more importantly—you have the right to act. You can take immediate steps to protect your loved one, remove them from the harmful environment, and hold the abuser accountable.
With the help of a skilled Illinois elder abuse attorney, you can seek justice and fight to prevent further mistreatment. At Spiros Law, P.C., our experienced legal team is here to stand up for your family. We’ve handled many elder abuse cases and are ready to put our knowledge and dedication to work for you.
We know how heavy the decision to take legal action can feel. But staying silent could allow the abuse to continue. If you suspect—even slightly—that something is wrong, don’t wait. Call us today. Our compassionate attorneys will listen to your concerns, help you understand your options, and work with you to get answers, protection, and justice for your loved one.
Examples of Senior Citizen Abuse
If you are experiencing abuse or suspect someone of abusing an elderly family member or friend, you need to take action immediately. Our Illinois elderly abuse attorneys can represent them in court for cases that involve a variety of situations and abuses, including:
- Physical Abuse – Maliciously causing intentional harm or injury
- Emotional Abuse – Verbal harassment, belittling, or intimidation
- Sexual Abuse – Touching, fondling, or performing any kind of sexual act on a resident without their consent or against their will
- Neglect – Denial of care and attention for their basic needs resulting in bed sores, pressure sores, or decubitus ulcers
- Medication Errors – Neglecting or giving inappropriate doses of medications that causes debilitating harm or side effects
- Theft – Financially exploiting residents without knowledge or consent. This could include stealing money, check fraud, financial schemes and other fraud
- Bed Sores, Pressure Sores, Decubitus Ulcers – Failure to move a resident routinely and responsibly could result in debilitating bedsores
- Falls – Senior citizens often need proper supervision at all times and those designated as a “fall-risk” should be responsibly assisted. This includes lowering the bed to a safe height, providing chairs for bathing, and assisting the resident when moving around the premises
- Physical or Chemical Restraints – Forcible restraint by way of either a physical hold, apparatus, or medication designed to control behavior without consent.
- Malnutrition or Dehydration – Lack or denial of access to food or water
- Choking – Ignoring special instructions regarding medication administration, or failing to support residents who have medical issues
- Clogged Breathing Tubes – Obstruction that prevents the ability to breathe, which can be caused by neglect, tubal knots, or untrained or unlicensed staff unable to clean out coagulated bodily fluids
- Sepsis – Untreated infections that turn on the victim’s body, attacking its own tissues
- Wandering and Elopement – Failure to stop a elderly individual from leaving their home or facility either intentionally or without permission
- Alzheimer’s and other dementias – Willfully denying medication, support, or any other form of assistance that causes detrimental suffering for a person needing memory care support with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia
- COVID-19 Exposure Lawsuits – Failure to adhere to guidelines that create a preventable outbreak of COVID-19 resulting in serious illness or death.
In far too many instances, elderly abuse goes unreported or underreported, leaving vulnerable to suffer devastating abuse at the hands of those who were supposed to care for them.
As such, it’s essential that any suspicions of abuse be investigated as quickly and thoroughly as possible. If you suspect that your loved one is being mistreated by acquaintances, friend, family, nursing home or assisted living facility, let our experienced team go to work fighting for them right away.
Reporting Nursing Home & Assisted Living Negligence
Nationally (for anywhere in the US):
What Are the Signs of Abuse?
According to the National Council on Aging and the National Institute on Aging, there are several signs that abuse may be occurring. The person:
- Stops participating in the things they enjoy
- Appears unkempt, disheveled, or unwashed
- Isn’t sleeping well
- Shows unexplained weight loss
- Withdraws and shows signs of emotional or physical aggression
- Has inexplicable bruises, scars, or lacerations
- Shows signs of physical restraint or broken jewelry, glasses, or room items
- Has bed/pressure sores or ulcers from neglect
- Is deprived of medications, hearing aids, walkers, or glasses
- Received late-payment or eviction notices for unpaid rent/mortgage
- Visibly decrepit living conditions scattered with cluttered and unsanitary items
- Sudden signs of poor self-care or unpaid bills
- Abrupt changes in financial status
Statistics About Elder Abuse
According to the Illinois Department on Aging, elder abuse has a significant impact. In 2019 alone, there were 21,348 abuse reports. Here is what that looks like broken down:
- Stealing – 8,467
- Emotional/Verbal Abuse- 5,943
- Passive Neglect- 5,370
- Self-Neglect- 4,488
- Physical Abuse- 3,589
- Willful Deprivation- 2,261
- Confinement- 1,162
- Sexual Abuse- 706
Other numbers of note include:
- Victims of abuse have a three times higher probability of death compared to their peers who have not.
- Up to $30 billion is stolen from elderly victims every year.
- 1 in 10 Americans 60 or over have experienced some kind of abuse.
- 37% of cases are reported to have been caused by social workers or medical care staff.
Why Choose Spiros?
At Spiros Law Firm, our experienced personal injury attorneys have secured substantial settlements for clients harmed by others’ negligence.
- $9,842,900: The second-largest verdict in the history of Vermilion County for an innocent baby who suffered immense harm and required an emergency craniotomy.
- $1,450,000: The largest verdict in Ford County for a driver injured when a car ran a stop sign.
- $1,400,000: The largest settlement for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) in Champaign County, Illinois, after a 42-year-old woman was given the wrong medication at a hospital, leading to vein necrosis, chronic pain, and nerve damage.
These examples are only a glimpse into what we can do for our clients. We have vast experience dealing with a wide range of personal injury cases. We can help with any of the following cases:
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Auto Wrecks
- Burn Injuries
- Paralysis Injuries
- Workers’ Compensation Claims
- Sexual Assault
- Mass Tort
- Federal Tort Claims
- View All Practice Areas
At Spiros Law Firm, P.C., our team dedicates itself to clear, honest communication with our current and future clients. From the initial consultation, we are upfront about potential outcomes and understand that our clients have already suffered great pain and loss. We’re committed to being compassionate and transparent with every person who needs our help or advice.
Contact a Senior Citizen Abuse Lawyer in Illinois
Sadly, the abuse experienced by older ages often goes unnoticed by others. This is often because abuse is not always immediately evident, and sometimes victims are afraid to bring attention to the matter.
Despite this, those who suffer from elder abuse deserve to gain proper compensation for the injuries they have suffered. If you or a loved one has experienced abuse from a nursing home provider, assisted living facility, family, or friend, please contact the Illinois personal injury attorneys of Spiros Law, P.C. today.
Conveniently located in Kankakee, Champaign and Danville, you can message us 24/7 for strong legal representation. We can protect you and get justice—you truly deserve.
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