Orland Park Elder Exploitation Lawyers with Offices in Cook and DuPage Counties

Tinley Park Senior Citizen Abuse Attorneys

Elderly men and women living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities are, unfortunately, often at risk for becoming victims of financial exploitation. At Schwartz Injury Law, we understand the dangers that many nursing home residents face and we are prepared to help you take action when you or your loved one has been exploited.

Exploitation can take many forms and frequently begins with threats, coercion, manipulation, or direct lies by a caregiver or another person with access to the victim. According to recent estimates, nearly 5 percent of all seniors report being victimized by financial exploitation, and with many unaware or unwilling to report such incidents, the real number is likely to be even higher. Losses suffered by exploited victims total several billion dollars each year.

Protecting the Rights of Nursing Home Residents in Illinois

Attorney Allen N. Schwartz is an experienced personal injury attorney who has successfully represented many victims of exploitation. He and his team recognize that financial exploitation is most often perpetrated by those 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; and
• Family members and friends.

One common example of financial exploitation includes nursing home administrators taking over a resident’s financial affairs without explicit authorization from the resident or the resident’s guardian. While the intention may be to secure payment of the resident’s expenses while at the nursing facility, doing so without the proper authorization may constitute financial exploitation.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

At Schwartz Injury Law, our accomplished lawyers have obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients and are recognized throughout the local legal community as advocates who know how to get results. Additionally, members of our team have been honored by many associations and organizations including Leading Lawyers, Super Lawyers, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, and Crain’s Chicago Business. We are committed to helping victims of financial exploitation recover the compensation they deserve.

Our attorneys also realize the importance of preventing such behavior and catching it as soon as possible. Possible warning signs that your loved one is being exploited may include:

• You have been denied normal 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 to your loved one’s will or estate plan; or
• Unusual patterns or withdrawals or financial transfers.

Helping Exploitation Victims in Mokena, Homer Glen, and Oak Lawn

When you or your loved one has been exploited, the skilled attorneys at Schwartz Injury Law may be able to help stop the victimization. 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.

Our firm can also assist you in filing a claim for compensation under the provisions of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act. The law specifies that nursing home owners and licensees may be held liable for the security of their residents. If the abuse occurred outside of a nursing facility, we will work with you in seeking compensation from the responsible party.

To learn more about our firm and our approach to financial exploitation cases, contact our office. Call 708-888-2160 for a free consultation at Schwartz Injury Law today. We are proud to serve clients in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Homer Glen, Lemont, Frankfort, and the surrounding areas.