Orange County, CA Elder Abuse Attorney | Berman & Riedel, LLP

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Do you suspect an elderly loved one is being abused, neglected, or exploited in Orange County, CA? Elder abuse can happen anywhere: in assisted living homes, by in-home caregivers, or even by trusted family members or friends. Sadly, thousands of seniors in California experience some form of physical, emotional, or financial abuse every year. The good news is you have legal options for addressing elder abuse and protecting your loved one.

At Berman & Riedel, LLP, our Orange County elder abuse attorneys are dedicated to protecting vulnerable seniors and holding abusers accountable. Since our firm was founded, we have earned a reputation for successfully handling complex elder abuse claims and securing millions of dollars for victims and their families.

If you believe someone you love is suffering from elder abuse, reach out today for a free consultation with an elder abuse attorney in Orange County. Our legal team will listen to your concerns, explain your rights, and help you take action to protect your loved one.

What Constitutes Elder Abuse in Orange County, CA?

Elder abuse refers to any intentional or negligent act that causes harm or creates a serious risk of harm to an older adult. In California, anyone 65 or older is legally considered an elder. Abuse can take many forms, and it often goes unnoticed or unreported.

Common types of elder abuse in Orange County include:

• Physical abuse: Hitting, slapping, pushing, or using restraints improperly.
• Psychological or emotional abuse: Verbal insults, intimidation, humiliation, or isolation.
• Sexual abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact, coercion, or exploitation.
• Financial abuse: Theft, fraud, coercion, or misuse of an elder’s money, assets, or property.
• Neglect: Failing to provide basic needs like food, water, medical care, hygiene, or safety.
• Abandonment: Deserting an elder who requires care or assistance.

Family members, caregivers, neighbors, and even fiduciaries or financial advisors can be responsible for elder abuse. Sadly, in many cases, the abuser is someone the victim knows and trusts.

California Penal Code 368 PC makes abuse of an elderly person a crime. In addition, elder abuse victims and their families can hold negligent or abusive caretakers financially responsible for the harm they cause. An elder abuse lawyer in Orange County can help you hold the responsible parties accountable.

Signs of Elder Neglect & Abuse

The signs of neglect or abuse of elderly individuals may depend on the type of mistreatment. These signs may be subtle, especially if your loved one cannot advocate for themselves.

Warning signs of abuse include:

• Poor hygiene
• Untreated bedsores
• Unsanitary conditions
• Sudden changes in behavior
• Unexplained injuries
• Weight loss
• Unusual bank account activity or missing belongings

Learn more about recognizing the signs of elder abuse in a loved one.

If you suspect an older person is being abused, it's crucial to take immediate action and report your suspicions to the appropriate authorities. An Orange County elder abuse attorney can help you take the next steps to explore legal remedies to ensure your family member receives the care they deserve.

Anyone who notices these signs should instantly report them to the proper authorities to ensure it ceases and doesn't happen again. To do that, you'll need to know who to contact and when depending on your situation.

After seeing to your loved one's safety, the negligent or abusive individuals or facility can be held accountable. In addition to criminal charges, elder abuse victims and their families may seek compensation through a civil lawsuit with the help of an elder abuse attorney in Orange County.

Here's how to report elder abuse depending on where your loved one lives.

Call 911 in an Emergency

If your loved one's health or safety is at immediate risk, call 911 to request assistance from local police and emergency medical technicians. They can provide medical treatment and address a dangerous situation.

Local Law Enforcement

It's also a good idea to report suspicions to local law enforcement. If the abuse is occurring within a city, you can call the local police department's non-emergency number. Here's a list of police departments in Orange County.

In unincorporated areas or where the city does not have its own police department, you should contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office at their non-emergency phone number: (407) 836-4357.

Adult Protective Services (APS) - Seniors in Community Housing, Hospitals, or Unhoused

You can report suspected abuse by calling 1-800-451-5155, the 24-hour hotline for Orange County Adult Protective Services. APS has 10 days to respond to a report of neglect or abuse.

Orange County Social Services Agency
P.O. Box 5687, Orange, CA 92863 Phone: (800) 451-5155

California Department of Social Services (CDSS) - Seniors in Assisted Living and Other Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs)

RCFEs are licensed by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), which also oversees inspections. Residential care facilities for the elderly include assisted living facilities, adult day programs, “board and care homes," and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs).

You can submit a complaint to the California Department of Social Services online.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Your local long-term care ombudsman can help you understand your legal rights, investigate allegations, and resolve issues. The long-term care ombudsman program under the Council on Aging – Southern California serves seniors in assisted living, board and care homes, and nursing homes in Riverside and Orange counties.

Contact the Orange County ombudsman at 1 (800) 300-6222.

Orange County Ombudsman
1300 South Grand Avenue, Bldg. B, 2nd Floor
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Resources for Seniors & Caregivers in Orange County, CA

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has stated that an elder or a senior citizen is anyone over 65 years old. There are almost 413,000 seniors, making up about 13% of the Orange County population. As top-rated Orange County elder abuse attorneys, we are committed to protecting this vulnerable population.

Most people over 65 still live in their own homes, but many reside in assisted living facilities. Also known as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs), these locations have a few similarities to nursing homes, though they don't provide the same level of medical care. Assisted living facilities are licensed locations designed to help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other tasks.

Many seniors don't want to leave their current place of residence and choose to have an in-home care provider come to assist them instead. Orange County currently hosts 190 companies that offer in-home care services, while there are also more than 1,390 assisted living facilities within the area. With so many options available, it's important to look into locations to ensure they haven't had consistent issues of elder abuse.

A great way to identify reliable companies is by determining whether they have received any Title 22, Chapter 8 citations in recent years. These citations reference elder abuse cases in Orange County.

How an Elder Abuse Attorney in Orange County Can Help

If your loved one has suffered elder abuse, it’s crucial to take immediate legal action to protect their rights and well-being. An experienced elder abuse attorney in Orange County can guide you through every step of the legal process, from gathering evidence to holding the responsible parties accountable under California law.

Victims of elder abuse often endure more than just physical pain. They may also experience emotional distress, financial exploitation, and long-term trauma. Neglect or abuse can also have a lasting and serious toll on an elderly person's health. An Orange County elder abuse attorney can help pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the abuse.

Here's how our elder abuse law firm in Orange County can help:

• Investigate claims of abuse or neglect in an assisted living facility or private residence
• Work with medical professionals and elder care experts to document injuries and negligence
• File a claim for damages under the California Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA)
• Help secure compensation for medical expenses, relocation costs, and emotional damages
• Advocate for your loved one’s safety and dignity through protective legal measures

With compassionate and aggressive legal representation, your family can get the justice and support needed to recover from the harm caused by elder abuse.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Orange County Elder Abuse Attorney at Berman & Riedel, LLP

Seniors have the right to feel safe and comfortable no matter where they are living. At Berman & Riedel, LLP, we are passionate about protecting vulnerable seniors and holding abusive long-term care facilities, staff members, and other caregivers accountable.

We have a proven track record with over $100 million recovered for our clients and their families. If you or someone you love has suffered elder neglect or abuse, we are ready to give you the compassionate legal help you need.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation with an Orange County elder abuse attorney to discuss your legal options and how we can help you.

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