Learn how you can defend yourself if you have been falsely accused of elder abuse
Older Americans are some of the most vulnerable members of our society, making elder abuse an incredibly serious crime. Elder abuse comes in many forms, including financial abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse and emotional or mental abuse. Under California law, committing an act of physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, endangerment or financial exploitation against a person over the age of 65 is a crime that can be punished by up to four years in state prison.
As a society, we should take elder abuse seriously, as many elderly Americans are not in a position to defend themselves against those who seek to harm them. But there are many reasons why elder abuse may be falsely reported, from feuding family members and others who seek to exclude relatives from an inheritance to memory issues causing difficulty remembering how a person got hurt, or where a valuable item is. That is why it is so important that you have a skilled elder abuse attorney in Los Angeles, CA if you have been charged with a crime related to elder abuse. While many lawyers may have experience in general criminal defense, few have the knowledge or expertise to handle the delicate nature of elder abuse cases and successfully defend false elder abuse allegations.
For example, many so-called signs and symptoms of physical elder abuse are actually consistent with the signs and symptoms of age. Many older Americans suffer from bruises, broken bones and other illnesses and injuries that occur as part of getting older. A loved one may fall down and get a large bruise or cut and may even forget about it later, raising questions from other family members, caretakers or medical professionals, leading to a false report of elder abuse. A knowledgeable elder abuse attorney in Los Angeles, CA can thoroughly investigate the case, calling in expert witnesses to demonstrate that the injuries suffered by the alleged victim are consistent with age-related illnesses or injuries rather than abuse. Similarly, your attorney may be able to document that alleged emotional abuse did not occur — but that your loved one may be suffering from dementia or other age-related illnesses that caused delusions or paranoia, leading him or her to believe that you were saying or doing things that did not actually occur.
A skilled elder abuse attorney in Los Angeles, CA may also be able to show that to the extent that an injury occurred, it was an accident. For example, if you were assisting your mother with bathing, and she slipped in the tub, then your lawyer could argue that this does not qualify as elder abuse because you did not have an intent to harm her.
Elder abuse is a complicated charge that often involves tricky family dynamics and highly emotional issues. At the Chambers Law Firm, our attorneys are adept at handling these matters, working hand in hand with you to reach the best possible resolution to your charges. If you have been charged with elder abuse, you will need a top notch elder abuse attorney. In Los Angeles, CA, contact the Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation today.
