Unfortunately, some of our most vulnerable citizens are the ones that need the help of an experienced and talented attorney the most. At The Law Offices of Schurmer & Wood, we are committed to protecting the rights of our elderly and dependent citizens and dedicate a considerable amount of our time and energy to handling elder and dependent abuse cases.
According to the Welfare and Institutions Code 15610.07, elder abuse or the abuse of a dependent adult is either:
(a) Physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other treatment with resulting physical harm or pain or mental suffering.
(b) The deprivation by a care custodian of goods or services that are necessary to avoid physical harm or mental suffering.
The code section applies to adults who are over 65 years old or who are between 18 and 64 years old and have a mental or physical disability that prevents them from performing daily tasks to care for themselves or protect themselves in instances of abuse.
Many clients come to our office because they or a loved one is suffering abuse or neglect at a nursing home or other dependent care facility. Unfortunately, many of these cases come to light after a friend or family member observes signs of neglect or abuse when visiting the nursing home.
Unfortunately, elder abuse and dependent abuse cases can be difficult to prove. The victims are often unable to effectively advocate for themselves and as a result, working with a personal injury attorney with experience handling these cases is an absolute necessity. At The Law Offices of Schurmer & Wood, we have handled many abuse cases and understand all of the factors that make up a successful case. We will gather the appropriate evidence to document the abuse, including medical records, photos, videos and testimony from other residents or other witnesses. We will also work closely with medical and legal experts to ensure that the case is presented in the strongest light with the necessary supporting evidence.
In addition to physical abuse cases, at The Law Offices of Schurmer & Wood, we also handle the financial abuse of the elderly or dependent adults. Financial abuse often occurs when the caregivers of an elderly or dependent person take advantage of their access to the individual's financial information.
At The Law Offices of Schurmer & Wood, we believe that every adult has the right to feel safe in his or her own home or place of residence and should be free of physical, financial, mental or emotional abuse. If you are in an abusive situation or fear that someone you know is being abused, there are some things that can be done to change the situation.
Often, the first step in protecting an individual who is a victim of elder or dependent abuse is to request and obtain a restraining order. A restraining order is a court order that provides specific protections to abuse victims.
The Oxnard elder abuse attorneys at The Law Offices of Schurmer & Wood can help you through the restraining order process and can help you pursue your other legal options, in addition, the restraining order. We can stop the abuse and work to protect your physical safety and your assets while pursuing compensation for the wrongful actions of the caregiver or another abuser. Our consultations are free, and we are here to help.