Elder abuse has been on a rampage in Southern California for quite a while now. Each day brings new cases of nursing home abuse into the limelight – reported to governmental agencies and tip lines. Despite this new wave of reports, many are still nervous about alerting these issues to authorities for fear of retaliation. With that being said, California nursing home abuse lawyer Joel Bryant is here to guide you through the process of reporting elder abuse and answer any questions you may have about the process.
Your Comprehensive Guide to Anonymous Reporting in CA
The first and most important thing to note is that reporting elder abuse should be done as soon as possible. In cases such as those that are common during nursing home abuse scandals, the lives of those being abused are at great and immediate risk. Although the state of California does have mechanisms to report elder abuse anonymously, this may not be the case with all states. No matter the circumstance, the health and well-being of elderly folks in nursing homes should be of top priority. Should you be concerned about the process of reporting, reaching out to a trusted attorney is the next best step.
Luckily, as previously mentioned, California has a process in which people can anonymously report elder abuse:
Why Might Someone Choose to Report Abuse Anonymously?
There are many reasons why someone may consider reporting elder abuse anonymously. The first and most obvious reason is a fear of retaliation. It may be the case that an abuser in a nursing home care facility finds out the name of the reporter and retaliates by acting out with violence or further abusing the senior citizen related to the reporter. This may be perceived to the reporter as an even greater risk to the life of their loved one.
Another example of a common reason that someone may anonymously report elder abuse is to avoid retaliation from superiors. Yes, even some nursing home staff have been known to report abuse in their own place of work. This does still mean, however, that they may fear losing employment or a lash-out from other staff.
The Award-Winning Attorney Representing Abuse Victims San Diego and Southern California
Nursing home abuse is a widespread issue in need of addressing. Behind closed doors, staff members and other residents may take advantage of the privacy that nursing homes provide to carry out financial, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Along with reporting the abuse to authorities, your priority should be reaching out to a California nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as you are able. To prevent further harm to your loved one, call Joel Bryant today at (619) 597-2577 or message him by filling out the contact form on his website.