Memphis Nursing Home Abuse and Exploitation Lawyers
Experienced representation for elder victims of financial exploitation and their families
Financial exploitation or abuse of elders takes place whenever someone uses your loved one’s money or property illegally or improperly for their own personal use without consent. Financial abuse is one of the fastest growing forms of elder abuse. Residents of nursing homes might be vulnerable to deceptive financial practices, or the exploitations of their finances that takes place without the elder’s knowledge.
At the law firm of Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we protect your loved one’s rights when he or she has been exploited financially. We investigate the situation, find out who is responsible, and hold them accountable for their actions. We are a trusted name in Memphis and throughout West Tennessee when it comes to fighting on behalf of the injured, and we want to help you.
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- What are examples of financial abuse or exploitation?
- What are the warning signs of financial exploitation in Memphis nursing homes?
- How can I prevent financial exploitation of my elderly loved one?
- How the Memphis nursing home abuse attorneys at Bailey & Greer can help
- Is there a nursing home abuse attorney near me?
What are examples of financial abuse or exploitation?
Financial abuse is one of the fastest growing crimes against the elderly in America. While it does not exclusively happen in nursing homes, it frequently does — simply due to proximity. There are over 136,000 incidents regarding elderly persons reported each year. It is also a leading cause of civil lawsuits. Some examples of financial abuse include:
- Forging signatures
- Using the elder person’s possessions or property without permission
- Cashing checks without permission or authorization
- Coercing or deceiving an older person to sign over a deed, a will, or a power of attorney against his or her will
- Stealing money from wallets or purses
Anyone who is in contact with or has control over elderly nursing home residents can exploit them financially. Unfortunately, financial abuse is often committed by those with the closest relationship with the elderly resident, but it can also be perpetrated by facility care givers. Generally, predatory individuals and greedy businesspeople who use deceptive business practices or overcharge for their products and services are guilty of financial exploitation.
What are the warning signs of financial exploitation in Memphis nursing homes?
Family members of the elderly should be aware of the warning signs of financial abuse, especially if their loved ones are unable to speak up for themselves or access their accounts. People get away with committing this crime because of how often it is simply overlooked or explained away. Keeping a lookout for the following red flags can help make sure that doesn’t happen to you and your family:
- Unknown changes in the elder’s financial documents
- Unexpected withdrawals by another individual
- Unexplained money transfers to another individual
- Unpaid bills, final notices
- Missing money, property, or belongings
- Unusual activities in the elder’s bank accounts
- New, unknown names on the elder’s signature card at the bank
- Forged signatures on financial transactions
Much as you would check for physical signs of abuse, you should also ensure that your loved one is not the victim of theft or fraud. By keeping in close contact with your loved one, and by making it a point to regularly examine his or her financial situation, you may be able to prevent the abuse from occurring at all. If you do notice a series of discrepancies, Bailey & Greer may be able to help. Our compassionate Memphis nursing home abuse lawyers can help you with everything from filing a complaint against the nursing home to bringing a lawsuit against the facility for negligence – and everything in between. Let us help you keep your family safe and secure.
How can I prevent financial exploitation of my elderly loved one?
Financial exploitation is one of the most insidious forms of elderly abuse because of how hard it can be to pinpoint key weaknesses before someone else does. By the time you notice unpaid bills or unexpected withdrawals, the abuse has already taken place. You may also find one form of exploitation and therefore neglect to notice other forms present at the same time, especially if your loved one is in the care of a facility. While abuse, by nature, can only be truly prevented by abusers, there are still some ways both you and your loved one can mitigate the risks:
- Make sure your loved ones designate you or someone else they trust as their financial power of attorney while they still have the right mind to do so. This will give you the ability to access and control records and accounts you otherwise would be legally barred from.
- Choose another trusted contact for accounts and investments, with a “view-only” power to see possible infractions without the ability to withdraw any funds.
- Consider signing up for services that automatically tracks your accounts, credit cards, and investments on your behalf. They can catch suspicious activity and report it to the trusted parties. Many of these services can also help you seek compensation after an infraction has happened.
- Keep in close contact with your elderly loved ones, including frequent visits, calls, videos, and letters. Encourage them to be involved in trusted social circles where possible and take note of who they befriend and any red flags they may display.
- Get to know all caregivers who are in close contact with your relative. Beyond simply vetting them beforehand, know them as a person and observe how they work with your loved one. A great way to do this is to show up unannounced or when otherwise unexpected.
How the Memphis nursing home abuse attorneys at Bailey & Greer can help
Financial exploitation can completely ruin an elderly loved one’s hard-earned savings, investments, property, and plans. Regardless of whether any other forms of elder abuse took place, it is a serious and severe crime on its own that deserves serious and severe representation. Our team of compassionate nursing home abuse lawyers know how to handle greedy nursing home facilities protecting their abusive employees without forcing you and your loved one into the metaphoric line of fire. At Bailey & Greer, we are strong advocates for the rights of our elders who may be defenseless and dependent on others for their care and safety. We fight for justice on their behalf and assist you in filing a complaint against the healthcare professionals who harmed your family member, either physically, emotionally, or financially. There is no such thing as an acceptable form of abuse.
Is there a nursing home abuse attorney near me?
At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, our team is dedicated to being where you need us, when you need us. Our Memphis office is located at 6256 Poplar Ave.
Contact our Memphis nursing home abuse attorneys today
It can be frightening to discover that your elder loved one has been the victim of financial exploitation and abuse, and it is easy to feel helpless and lost when the facility responsible refuses to take accountability and make things right. However, we assure you there are options available to you. Bailey & Greer, PLLC, comprises a knowledgeable legal team that is eager to meet with individuals who want to protect their loved one, or who have been injured or exploited at a nursing home in Tennessee. Even if you are unsure or just want to ask questions, call us today at 901-475-7434 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a nursing home abuse attorney serving Memphis, Jackson, and West Tennessee.
