Reporting Elder Abuse
Elder Abuse Attorney in Seattle, WA
A high number of elder abuse cases go unreported every year. This leaves the victims further traumatized and at the mercy of their abusers. When you are dealing with a case of abuse, speak to a Seattle personal injury lawyer to find out the legal rights of the victim and how they can defend them. Cases are reported by a number of individuals, some of which are even anonymous. It can be a family member, friend, healthcare worker or other that is looking out for the person and believes they may be in trouble. These reports are not always right, but many times they are. The action of a caring individual can help free the elderly person from abuse they may have been unable to stop on their own.
A small number of victims actually report cases themselves, so it is crucial that those in contact with them are a voice for them when they can’t be.If you believe that someone is being abused, asking them may not always be enough. You should take notice of signs such as physical appearance and behavior and may need to report the instance. Even if it ends up being a false alarm, it is better to know than for them to be helplessly undergoing abuse for an extended period of time. Cases can be reported to the authorities or even an abuse hotline. It is often a wise decision to report to someone higher up, since a friend or family member may write the situation off or not deal with it completely.
Elder Abuse and the Importance of Reporting It
There are many reasons that a high number of cases are not reported by the victims themselves. The elderly person may feel threatened and believe harm will come to them or another, they may be physically unable to speak up, they may fear no one will believe them or they could worry about who will take care of them. Sometimes they do speak out against abuse but those they tell believe it is just their old age that is creating the event.The psychological toll of abuse is widespread and victims may still feel that the abuser cared for them, giving them more credit than they should. Some may feel that the abuse is valid and that they are merely being punished for their wrong actions. An elderly person should never be punished through abusive means, even if over time they begin to feel it is justified.
They need an advocate on their side and that is exactly what an attorney from the firm will be. Some may suffer from dementia and are unable to both recognize and take action against immoral treatment. Elderly people are to be cared for and looked after, not abused and mistreated.This is the stance of a Seattle personal injury attorney from our firm, The Law Office of Joanne R. Werner, R.N. Working in the medical field for over 20 years, they have an insight into the cases of clients that many attorneys lack. They can understand the physical and psychological toll that is taken on patients and know how devastating it can be on their life. Possessing a strong compassion for victims, they entered the legal field and have been practicing law for over 14 years. If you or a loved one have been the victim of elder abuse, our firm offers a free consultation where you can discuss the aspects of your case with them and gain answers to any questions you may have.
For more information on elder abuse and how to deal with a case involving it,contact a Seattle elder abuse lawyer from the office.