Sexual Abuse and Assault of the Elderly
- Content last updated on:
- August 24, 2023
Table of Contents
Elder sexual abuse refers to any action against a senior that relates to unwanted sexual attention or touching. An attorney with experience in sexual abuse cases may be able to help you discover if a predator has acted this way to someone you love. Any sexual contact with an elder who has not given consent or does not have the mental capacity to give consent is elder sexual abuse. Sexual abuse can occur in a nursing home, extended living facility, hospice, or right at home with trusted caretakers, even family members.
Freedland Harwin Valori Gander, PL, can help you fight for justice for your loved one. As soon as you suspect elder or nursing home sexual abuse, contact our attorneys. Nursing home and elder abuse should not be tolerated in any form. We know how to investigate the negligent, reckless, and wrongful acts of others against the vulnerable elderly population in Florida. Talk to us today about how we can help your elderly loved one.
How to Detect Elder Sexual Abuse
Unfortunately, elder sexual abuse is a widely underreported issue. Victims often have mental conditions that make them incapable of reporting abuse, such as dementia. Others don’t say anything out of fear of retaliation or because they don’t think anyone will believe them. Whatever the case, know that it might be up to you (a friend or family member) to detect signs of sexual abuse in an elderly person and act once you believe this crime is occurring. Common signs of elder sexual abuse include:
- Pelvic/genital injuries
- Bruising on the upper thighs or genitals
- Bleeding from genitals or other areas
- Pain or irritation of genitals or other areas
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Difficulty walking or sitting
- Blood in undergarments
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression or anxiety
- Agitation or panic attacks
- Feelings of shame, guilt, or anger
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
It’s important to check on your elderly loved ones regularly if they live with a caretaker or at a nursing home facility. Talk to your loved one and see how he or she is doing. Take notice of the senior citizen’s physical appearance, health, nutrition, behaviors, and emotional state. If someone confides in you about any type of abuse or inappropriate sexual actions, take him or her seriously and take steps to get to the bottom of the situation.
What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
The moment something makes you suspicious of elder sexual abuse, get your loved one to a safe place. Take him or her out of the nursing home facility and report your suspicions to authorities, such as the owner of the nursing home or even the police. Then, schedule a free consultation with one of our Florida attorneys. We can investigate the situation and help you explore your legal rights. You might have the elements of a personal injury claim in addition to a criminal investigation of the alleged perpetrator.
If we do find evidence of sexual abuse, we’ll take immediate action against the perpetrator and likely other defendants as well. For example, if a nursing home staff member abused a resident, the nursing home can be vicariously liable as the perpetrator’s employer. We can help you file claims against a nursing home or other care facility, an individual staff member, accomplices, and/or other parties in pursuit of justice and financial compensation.
In Florida, you have the right to file a civil claim for monetary damages during an ongoing criminal investigation for sexual abuse. Our team can make sure you bring your case to the correct civil court within the statute of limitations, or deadline for filing. We can also hire expert witnesses and take other measures to strengthen your case. We’ll work hard to make sure you and your family receive the best compensation award possible for your personal injury claim, using years of first-hand experience. Call (954) 467-6400 to start with a free case evaluation from an attorney.
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ALL FIELDS REQUIRED
- BIKE ACCIDENTS
- BRAIN INJURY
- BUS ACCIDENTS
- CHEMICAL BURNS
- DAYCARE INJURIES
- DELIVERY TRUCK ACCIDENTS
- DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT VICTIMS
- ELDER ABUSE
- ELECTROCUTION INJURIES
- HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENTS
- MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
- NEGLIGENT SECURITY
- PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS
- PLAYGROUND ACCIDENTS
- PREMISES LIABILITY
- SEXUAL ABUSE
- SPINE INJURY
- TEXTING AND DRIVING ACCIDENTS
- TRAIN ACCIDENTS
- TRUCK ACCIDENTS
- UBER OR RIDESHARE ACCIDENTS
- UNDERINSURED MOTORIST ACCIDENTS
- WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIMS
CASE RESULTS
$24.5 Million
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
JURY VERDICT
Damages Jury Verdict on behalf of the family of a 34-year-old woman who bled to death during childbirth. With the assistance of top experts, we were able to demonstrate that doctors did not follow proper safety protocols, forcing the defendants to admit liability shortly before trial.
$12.2 Million
PHARMACEUTICAL LIABILITY
SETTLEMENT
A settlement won on behalf of the family of a 47 year old woman whose death resulted from the use of a dangerous pharmaceutical drug. We proved the manufacturer knew of the dangerous side effects & did not provide proper warning.
$10 Million
BIRTH INJURY
SETTLEMENT
A settlement on behalf of a child who suffered a brain injury as a result of oxygen deprivation during birth. Through years of tactical and technical litigation, we were able to prove that the nurses and physicians both failed to intervene and prevent the brain injury.
$1.2 Million
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
SETTLEMENT
A settlement on behalf of a middle-aged man who was read ended by a waste management truck.
$1.5 Million
NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE
SETTLEMENT
A settlement on behalf of the family of an elderly man who died as a result of being neglected and uncared for by a nursing home.
TESTIMONIALS
I met Dan when I was in therapy and he came and right away it felt like a family member visiting you, a connection, like a brother. He’s been on both sides of the fence. He’s represented the hospitals and the doctors, and then he jumped over to the other side. It is a fantastic group, it was like Bell Belichick leading the team. They changed my life and still check on me. I recommend FHV to anybody and they thank me.
LARRY
I met Dan about a year ago. He never made me feel that it was about the money. When he spoke with me he was asking how Bill (my brother) was and if he was doing better. He made me feel like family and always asked if I was alright. That means a lot. Everyday is something new and I challenge for my brother. I would recommend [FHV] to everybody because I really believe that they’re helping from their hearts… from a really good place.
BILL
For anyone to represent anyone for 5 years and take the time to do it, not once just “get it out of the way” and “get it done with”. It was about what was best for Hunter and our family. It was about the case and the people.
ASHLEY
999 Ponce De Leon Blvd
Suite 1030
Coral Gables, FL 33134