As the population of older Americans continues to rise, criminals are targeting the elder community and preying on the vulnerabilities and frailties of seniors. It is estimated that every year older persons are targeted and victimized by the hundreds of thousands.

In response to this growing phenomenon, legislatures in all 50 states are enacting stricter regulations and elder abuse prevention laws, many of which broaden the scope of what constitutes "elder abuse". Elder abuse, in general, refers to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes financial, physical or psychological harm or a serious risk of such harm to an elder or vulnerable adult. There are many different types of elder abuse. The California Attorney General's Office identifies four major categories of elder abuse, which include:

Financial/ Material Exploitation - the illegal or unauthorized taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder;

Physical Abuse - inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need;

Psychological Abuse - the infliction of mental or emotional anguish or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts; and

Neglect - the refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care, or protection for a vulnerable elder.

Girard Gibbs LLP actively pursues claims on behalf of elders who have been victimized. If you believe that you or a friend or family member has been a victim of elder abuse, please fill out the feedback form below.