Orland Park Elder Financial Exploitation Attorneys

Lawyers for Exploitation of Nursing Home Residents in Orland Park, IL

Elderly men and women living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities are, unfortunately, often at risk of becoming victims of financial exploitation. This exploitation can take many forms, and it frequently begins with threats, coercion, manipulation, or direct lies by a caregiver or another person with access to the victim. Some people may be unaware that they are being exploited, while others may be unwilling to report incidents of exploitation out of embarrassment or because they do not want to worry their family members. The losses suffered by victims of exploitation can be very high, and these issues can prevent them from receiving the necessary care in the future.

At Schwartz Injury Law, we understand the dangers that many nursing home residents face, and we are prepared to help families take action when a loved one has been exploited. We will work to uncover exploitation that has occurred and make sure the people responsible are held liable for a person's losses. Our goal is to ensure that victims will have the financial resources they need going forward so that they can receive ongoing care and avoid potential issues that could affect them in the future.

Protecting the Rights of Nursing Home Residents in Illinois

Our experienced personal injury attorneys have successfully represented many victims of exploitation. We recognize that financial exploitation is most often perpetrated by people in positions of responsibility or trust regarding an elderly or disabled person, including:

• Nursing home staff and administrators
• Caregivers
• Medical providers and administrative staff
• Employees of banks and financial institutions
• Church officials and volunteers

There are many ways victims may fall prey to exploitation. One common example involves nursing home administrators taking over a resident's financial affairs without receiving explicit authorization from the resident or the resident's guardian. While this may be done with the intention of securing payment for the services provided by the nursing facility, doing so without the proper authorization may constitute financial exploitation. Other forms of exploitation may occur when staff members convince residents to give them access to their financial accounts or even steal money or property directly from a person.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Financial Exploitation

At Schwartz Injury Law, our accomplished lawyers have obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients, and we are recognized throughout the legal community as advocates who know how to get results. We are committed to helping victims of financial exploitation recover the compensation they deserve. We can work with families who believe that a loved one has fallen victim to these issues, and we will work to hold the responsible parties liable for their actions and make sure any amounts that were taken without authorization will be repaid.

Possible warning signs that your loved one is being exploited may include:

• You have been denied access to your loved one.
• Your loved one seems to be lacking adequate food, clothing, or other basic needs.
• Items belonging to your loved one have gone missing.
• A person in a position of trust over your loved one has recently made unusual purchases or shown new spending habits.
• Unexpected changes have been made to your loved one's will or estate plan.
• You have noticed unusual withdrawals or financial transfers from your loved one's accounts.

While we may be able to help recover compensation directly from a person who has exploited your loved one, we can also take steps to hold a nursing home responsible for negligence in allowing exploitation to occur. For example, if a nursing home failed to perform a criminal background check before hiring a staff member, allowing someone with a history of fraud or other offenses to have access to vulnerable nursing home residents, the facility may be held responsible for the harm caused by its negligent hiring practices.

Contact Our Orland Park, Illinois Financial Exploitation Lawyers

When you or your loved one have been the victim of exploitation, you can take steps to right these wrongs. The skilled attorneys at Schwartz Injury Law can work with you to stop the victimization and recover what has been lost. We will work to limit the abuser's access to your loved one, close or otherwise protect all affected accounts, and have a responsible individual or entity appointed to manage the victim's affairs. We can assist you in filing a claim for compensation against a nursing home that failed to protect the security of its residents. To learn more about our firm and the ways we can help you, contact our Orland Park financial exploitation attorneys at 708-888-2160 and schedule a free consultation.