Kansas City Elder Abuse Attorneys
Fighting for Justice for Victims & Their Families
Elder abuse can and does occur in all types of settings, including nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and other types of community living settings. It can also occur at the hands of private caregivers, as well as trusted family members and friends.
At the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr., we believe that all forms of elder abuse are unacceptable. Our Kansas City elder abuse attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of our society’s most vulnerable individuals, as well as holding abusers accountable. If you believe that you or someone you love has been the victim of elder abuse, reach out to our team today to learn how we can help.
Call (816) 597-4556 or contact us online to request a free and confidential consultation.
What Is Elder Abuse?
Generally speaking, elder abuse is the mistreatment of people 60 years old and older. “Mistreatment” is a broad term that refers to many different types of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Although elder abuse is often synonymous with nursing home abuse, elder abuse does not always take place in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. In-home caregivers, friends, and even trusted family members can all commit acts of elder abuse. In fact, family members are the most common perpetrators of elder abuse, according to the National Council on Aging.
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$1 Million Nursing Home Fall
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$1.5 Million Nursing Home Fall
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$1.5 Million Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
Types of Elder Abuse
There are several different types of elder abuse, including:
- Physical abuse, such as hitting, slapping, shoving, pinching, or forcefully grabbing
- Neglect, including neglect of basic, nutritional, medical, emotional, and social needs
- Psychological abuse, including yelling, belittling, threatening, harassing, and intimidating
- Confinement, including physical or chemical (medical) restraint and isolation
- Sexual abuse, including rape, attempted rape, forced sexual acts, and groping
- Willful deprivation of medical attention, medications, shelter, food, and other necessities
- Financial exploitation, including misusing, withholding, or stealing money or property
All of these types of abuse can have a devastating impact on the victim, including significant physical, mental, emotional, and financial harm. In severe cases, certain forms of abuse may even lead to wrongful death.
Elder Abuse Warning Signs
It is important that family members and loved ones know the signs of elder abuse so that they can take immediate action at the first sign that something is wrong. Seniors may be unable or unwilling to speak up for themselves, or they may be unaware that what is occurring constitutes abuse.
Some of the most common warning signs of elder abuse include:
- Unexplained injuries
- Bedsores
- Falls and other preventable accidents
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Rapidly declining physical or mental health
- New or worsened depression, anxiety, irritability, aggression, etc.
- Sudden bouts of crying
- Untreated illnesses and infections
- Medication errors
- Changes in financial situation
- New concerns about money
- Unexplained withdrawal from bank accounts
- Bounced checks
- Changes to a will, trust, or power of attorney
- New sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Injuries to the groin, upper thighs, genitals, or female breasts
- Apparent fear of a certain individual or caregiver
- Unwillingness to be alone with someone
- Dirty or soiled clothing or bedding
- An unclean or unsanitary environment
If you suspect that your elderly loved one is being mistreated by a caregiver or loved one, or if you simply feel that something is not right, contact the appropriate authorities right away. If you believe that someone is in imminent danger, call 911. Otherwise, you may report known or suspected elder abuse to local law enforcement, the state agency in your area, your local long-term care ombudsman, or another trusted authority.
Those who mistreat, abuse, or exploit seniors and other vulnerable individuals should be held accountable. By filing an elder abuse lawsuit, you can seek justice and work to recover fair financial compensation for your related damages, such as medical expenses, financial losses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more. However, these are complex cases, and it is important that you work with a knowledgeable attorney.
At the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr., our Kansas City elder abuse attorneys have more than 25 years of legal experience, as well as a long track record of success. We dedicate the majority of our practice—including most of our resources and skill—to this area of law. Our team can help you navigate the legal process and fight for every penny you are owed.
We encourage you to act quickly, as your time to file an elder abuse lawsuit is limited. Kansas and Missouri both have statutes of limitations on these types of cases; if you wait too long, you could lose your right to pursue damages.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Team Today
The Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr. offers a highly personal approach, characterized by compassionate legal counsel and one-on-one attorney-client communication. We are attentive to the concerns of our clients, as well as the unique nuances of each individual case. By intentionally limiting our overall caseload, we are able to provide every client with the attention, care, and dedication they deserve.
We do not collect any legal fees unless we win your case. If we do not recover a settlement or verdict for you, you do not pay.
Give us a call at (816) 597-4556 or contact us online to request a complimentary case review.
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“He worked hard on our behalf and we reached a positive conclusion.” - Lori D.
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“Tom gives lawyers a good name.” - Donna J.
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“Tom and his firm are great people!” - Brad
