Age diminishes physical strength and for many elderly people their relative frailty puts them at a distinct disadvantage when those charged with their care engage in physical abuse. For some caregivers, abuse may be an unintended knee-jerk response of an overworked caretaker to frustration in dealing with a difficult patient. For others, the abuse is systematic sadism, directed at a person unable to protect himself. In either case, it is unacceptable, and a person who engages in such behavior needs to be stopped and held accountable for the harm caused. If you or a loved one have suffered as a result of the physical elder abuse inflicted by a caretaker, contact an experienced and successful physical elder abuse attorney in Phoenix, AZ for a free legal consultation and legal counsel.
TYPES OF PHYSICAL ABUSE OF ELDERS COMMONLY REPORTED
The Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect at the University of California at Irvine has listed some of the acts that have been reported, which constitute physical abuse of the elderly in nursing homes, assisted living homes, and other elderly care settings:
- Tying patients down
- Beating severely enough to cause internal injuries
- Stabbing a patient
- Inflicting pain by hair-pulling or arm-twisting
- Shaking a patient
- Using a knife or gun as a threat
- Choking
- Slamming a patient against a wall
- Deliberately burning or scalding a patient
- Punching or striking a patient with an object to inflict pain
- Throwing objects at a patient
- Pinching or scratching a patient
- Knocking a patient down
- Biting
- Deliberate overmedication
INJURIES TO ELDERS FROM ABUSIVE CARETAKERS
There are many different types of signs to look for to determine if physical elder abuse is taking place, but the most noticable sign are the injuries that result from the physical abuse. Physical abuse can result in these injuries, according to the Center on Elder Abuse report:
- Sprains, bruises, or cuts
- Loss of consciousness
- Spinal cored injuries
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Confusion grogginess from overmedication on prescription or illegal drugs
- Ligature marks and rope burns from being tied down
- Brain injuries
ELDERLY ABUSE ATTORNEYS IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA, FIGHT FOR JUSTICE FOR SENIORS
No human being, and especially none who is weakened or debilitated by age, should be subjected to this kind of abuse. The Arizona personal injury law firm of Wattel and York has worked for years to assist elderly residents of Phoenix and throughout the State of Arizona to escape these dangerous and dehumanizing situations and to receive compensation for the harm they have suffered, while making the responsible individuals and institutions face up to and pay for the damage they have caused.
If you or someone you love has experienced physical abuse from a caregiver, call Wattel and York today. You need experienced representation in your fight for justice through Arizona’s legal system. You are never alone; we are here to help. Our Phoenix, AZ elder abuse lawyers offer a free consultation and case evaluation, and if you can’t come to us, that’s okay; we will be happy to come to you.
