Getting Legal Justice for Elder Abuse Victims
As our loved ones get older, the last thing we want is for them to become victims of elder abuse. Unfortunately, elder abuse is more prevalent than most of would like to believe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 in 6 people 60 years and older experience some type of abuse each year in community settings. Rates of elder abuse are even higher in institutions such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Even more alarming is the sharp increase of elder abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elder abuse can result in serious physical injuries and long term emotional and mental trauma. If you suspect that an elderly loved one is the victim of any type of elder abuse, you need to immediately report it to the appropriate authority. You need to also consult with an experienced New Jersey elder abuse attorney to determine if you have a civil case against the perpetrators of abuse.
Different Types of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse can be disguised in many different ways. Some common types of elder abuse include:
- Physical elder abuse (such as, slapping, unnecessary use of restraints, or use of excessive force when pushing or pulling)
- Emotional elder abuse (such as, humiliating an elderly person, denying rights to visitors, or isolating an elderly person in their room)
- Financial elder abuse (such as, theft, embezzlement, identity theft or medical/mortgage fraud)
- Neglect (such as denying an elderly basic necessities like food, water, hygiene)
The signs and symptoms of elder abuse can easily go undetected for various reasons. This is especially true if your elderly loved one does not live with you or lives at a nursing home facility. In such situations, it becomes imperative to be extra vigilant to any signs that may indicate your loved one is victim to any type of elder abuse.
Compensation for Elder Abuse
Depending on the specific facts of your elder abuse case, your elderly loved one may be entitled to different types of compensation for what happened to them. Some common types of compensation include:
- Past and future medical
- Compensation for emotional or psychological counseling
- Cost of relocation to a new care facility
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages – if the caretaker or nursing home was grossly negligent
Call a New Jersey Elder Abuse Attorney Today!
The legal team at Beninato & Matrafajlo Attorneys at Law, LLC is dedicated to helping our injured clients reach the best monetary settlement when they are involved in any type of accidents.
If you suspect a loved one has become the victim of elder abuse, you need an experienced and caring legal advocate on your side. Our experienced New Jersey elder abuse attorneys are available to personally review your case. Call us at 908-355-7100 to schedule a free, complimentary consultation with our legal team today.
Dan T. Matrafajlo, Esq. is the Managing Member and Lead Partner at Beninato & Matrafajlo, Attorneys at Law, LLC, a New Jersey-based personal injury law firm with offices in Elizabeth and East Brunswick. With over two decades of experience representing clients in complex matters—including motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death cases—he has recovered over $100 million on behalf of his clients and is known for securing significant results. He has also helped shape New Jersey personal injury law through notable Appellate Division decisions such as Hardison v. King and Frenklakh v. Lojek, with his litigation work featured in the New Jersey Law Journal, underscoring his authority in the field.
Mr. Matrafajlo was recognized as a Super Lawyers® Rising Stars honoree from 2012 to 2017 and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum—an honor reserved for attorneys who have achieved multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Combining deep legal expertise with a client-focused approach, he provides strategic, results-driven representation while guiding clients through every stage of the legal process. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and is admitted to practice in both New Jersey and New York.
