Oxnard Elder Abuse Attorney

Protecting Seniors Throughout Ventura & Oxnard

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.

What is Elder or Dependent Abuse?

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.

What if the Abuse is Occurring in a Nursing Home or Care Facility?

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.

• Often they find evidence of:
• Physical Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Misuse of physical or chemical restraints
• Infections
• Bed Sores & Pressure Sores
• Falls
• Fractures
• Malnutrition & Dehydration
• Medication Mistakes
• Wandering Off

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.

Financial Abuse

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.

• Financial Abuse often involves:
• Loss of real estate
• Mortgage loan fraud
• Reverse mortgages
• Loss of investments or bad investment advice
• Insurance fraud including Medicare or Medi-Cal fraud
• Stealing
• Identity theft

What Can Be Done?

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.

Request a Restraining Order

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.

• It can:
• Prevent the abuser from coming near you, your children and other individuals who may live with you;
• Prevent the abuser from coming to your home or place of work;
• Force the abuser to move out if you live together, and
• Prevent the abuser from legally owning a gun.

• You may qualify for an elder or dependent abuse restraining order if you are:
• 65 years old or older
• Between the ages of 18 and 64 and suffer from a disability that prevents you from caring for and/or protecting yourself.
• You are the victim of:
• Physical Abuse,
• Financial Abuse,
• Neglect by a caregiver,
• Abandonment by a caregiver, or
• Deprivation by a caregiver

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.