Santa Barbara Elder Abuse Attorney

While no one ever expects someone would hurt an elderly person, neglect and mistreatment are a common issue plaguing senior individuals all over the state of California. Among the most common types of these wrongdoings are:

Types of Elder Abuse

• Physical Abuse
• Abandonment
• Financial Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Emotional or Psychological Abuse
• Neglect

Though the abuse of any individual has always been frowned upon, the California Penal Code 368 PC now punishes convicted offenders with everything from monetary fines to serving time in prison. As the frequency of these problems gets worse, it’s important to know how to recognize and report the signs of elder abuse. Family members and friends of seniors need to educate themselves so they can identify indicators that point to maltreatment such as:

Signs of Elder Abuse

• Irrational agitation or anxiety
• Poor hygiene
• Social isolation
• Unexplained injury
• Lack of desire to speak about the possible accuser
• Other problems

The Santa Barbara elder abuse lawyers on staff at Berman & Riedel provide key support to senior victims who have suffered at the hands of another person. We advocate for the elder and their family members to ensure they are properly compensated for the violations or negligible acts against them.

How to Report Elder Abuse & Neglect in Santa Barbara County

While the hope is that neither you nor your loved one will ever deal with these issues, it’s still important to know how to report them and to whom. Varying by the situation, you’ll find a few specific resources.

When proof is found of these crimes, an assisted living facility will be subject to citations, fines, and additional disciplinary actions, while individuals may additionally be prone to prison time.

Medical or Criminal Emergency

First and foremost, you should call 911 in the case of any emergency where medical personnel or local police are needed. They can provide the initial protection and care that is necessary before the investigation begins.

Imminent Danger or Suspected Criminal Activity

If you or your loved one are in no immediate danger but you still feel threatened or concerned for future safety, you’ll want to contact the non-emergency phone number for your local police. The Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office can be reached at (805) 683-2724.

Following your contact of the authorities, the next group you should call is Adult Protective Services (APS). They are available to serve these individuals while also offering treatment, protection, and additional help during these difficult times. Find your nearest office by contacting:

Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services
234 Camino Del Remedio, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Phone: (844) 751-6729

Issues with Standard of Care

Even when you haven’t seen any signs of nursing home abuse, if you’re concerned about the level of care your loved one is receiving at their location, it’s recommended to call your local California Department of Social Services office nearest you. The Santa Barbara County Social Services office can be reached by calling (866) 404-4007.

Additional Resources

Calling a California ombudsman is another great way to get the needed help and assistance with your elder abuse issues. They offer their services for free and stand as a useful resource, especially when you plan on working with a lawyer to be fairly compensated.

Following your calls or visits with these agencies and other individuals, don’t hesitate and start looking for a Santa Barbara County elder abuse lawyer to take over the case and get you fair compensation.

Reliable Santa Barbara Elder Abuse Lawyers

Currently, Santa Barbara County is home to more than 61,500 people over 65 years old, which the Social Security Administration (SSA) has stated is the benchmark to be considered a senior citizen. Adding up to about 14% of the county’s population, these individuals are the ones our Santa Barbara elder abuse attorneys are here to help.

Though a small portion of these seniors live in either a nursing home or an assisted living facility, most of them are independent enough to reside in their own houses with the option for in-home care, as needed. The ones living in a properly licensed Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) are supervised and assisted with the basic activities of daily living (ADLs). While seniors who reside in a nursing home are given a higher level of medical care from nurses and healthcare staff.

In Santa Barbara County, there are currently 187 assisted living facilities within its borders, along with about 20 care providers who offer in-home services. Most of these locations and companies will be dependable and provide great care for your senior loved one. But even when you think you’ve found the perfect place or the ideal company, ensure you still watch for the signs of neglect or abuse as we mentioned above.

A great way to check a company’s background is by determining whether they have any citations in regards to Title 22, Chapter 8. Doing this kind of research will pay major dividends in the long-term safety of your elder family member. Click here to search.

Why Work with Our Santa Barbara Elder Abuse and Neglect Attorneys?

Unfortunately, once you find out someone you care about is being abused, the problems almost never go away on your own. That’s why we always advise people to report their concerns and then find Santa Barbara elder abuse and neglect lawyers to help them investigate the crime, collect evidence, and collect damages from the accused abuser.

A knowledgeable and skilled team of elder abuse attorneys will be able to fight for their clients and keep them in the loop concerning their rights. As part of the process, they will identify the proper and fair amount of compensation.

Berman & Riedel, LLP | Top-Rated Santa Barbara Elder Abuse Law Firm

Want to work with the best team of Santa Barbara elder abuse attorneys? Berman & Riedel have a great deal of experience and understanding, which has allowed us to collect more than $100 million for our clients.

We are the most aggressive group of elder abuse lawyers in town, fighting for seniors who have struggled through these difficult circumstances. And if you have faced the same issues, we will battle just as hard for you.

If you would like to speak with us, call our office today at (858) 350-8855. You can also fill out the form on this page for an evaluation of your case.

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