Elderly and disabled individuals often depend on others for their day-to-day care, which makes them especially susceptible to mistreatment from caregivers and facilities. If your loved one has experienced such abuse, a Washington State abuse lawyer at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer can help you get justice.
We have decades of experience protecting the rights of abuse victims. We are ready to go to bat for your loved one and seek financial and legal accountability. Call today for a free consultation.
What Makes Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer a Strong Choice for Abuse Claims
Vulnerable adult abuse cases frequently pit an individual or family against a care facility with heavy legal and financial resources at its disposal. At Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer, we help you even the playing field.
Families across Washington choose our firm for several reasons:
- Our Washington State personal injury attorneys bring extensive experience litigating claims involving elder abuse, neglect, and institutional misconduct.
- The firm has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients throughout Washington state.
- We regularly consult with medical, psychological, and care-industry experts to build a complete picture of the harm a client has suffered.
- Our team has earned recognition from Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers for its work on behalf of injured clients.
- We take these cases on a contingency fee basis, so families can pursue justice without any upfront financial burden.
- We understand how emotionally difficult it is to discover that a loved one has been mistreated, and we handle every case with the sensitivity it deserves.
Contact our office to schedule a free consultation and discuss how our Washington State vulnerable abuse attorneys can help your family pursue accountability.
The Role an Attorney Plays in a Vulnerable Adult Abuse Case
Washington has enacted specific legal protections to protect vulnerable adult populations. These laws give victims and their families a direct path to hold the facilities accountable for abuse.
An experienced attorney can help you exercise your rights to the fullest extent of the law. Your lawyer will be responsible for:
- Investigating the specific circumstances surrounding the abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
- Reviewing care plans, staffing records, and internal incident reports for evidence of a facility’s failures.
- Determining whether a pattern of prior complaints or violations existed before your loved one was harmed.
- Coordinating with medical providers to document the physical and psychological impact of the mistreatment.
- Identifying every individual or institution that may share legal responsibility.
- Pursuing both civil remedies and, where appropriate, protective orders to stop ongoing abuse.
- Managing negotiations with the other side
Contact our legal team today to schedule a free case review to learn more about how we can help you.
What Legal Protections Exist for Vulnerable Adults in Washington?
Washington’s Abuse of Vulnerable Adults Act was passed specifically to protect elderly individuals and adults with disabilities from mistreatment by the people and institutions responsible for their care.
The law creates a direct civil cause of action for vulnerable adults who have experienced abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect. This action is separate from any criminal charges that may or may not be filed against the responsible party. Your family does not need to wait on a criminal investigation to pursue compensation through a civil claim.
Common Types of Injuries and Abuse Experienced by Vulnerable Adults
Abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults can take several forms, and it’s not uncommon for more than one type to occur at the same time. Common categories include:
- Physical abuse, including hitting, restraining, or otherwise causing bodily harm.
- Sexual abuse, including any non-consensual sexual contact or exploitation.
- Emotional and psychological abuse, such as intimidation, humiliation, isolation, or threats.
- Neglect, including failure to provide adequate food, water, hygiene, medication, or medical care.
- Abandonment, when a caregiver deserts a vulnerable adult who depends on them for basic needs.
- Financial exploitation, including theft, coerced changes to a will or power of attorney, or misuse of funds and property.
These forms of mistreatment frequently result in serious, sometimes life-threatening injuries. Abuse that is financial or emotional in nature can have equally damaging consequences for an adult’s future well-being.
Where Vulnerable Adult Abuse Occurs, and Who Can Be Held Liable
Mistreatment of vulnerable adults can happen in any setting where an individual depends on someone else for care.
Common settings where these cases arise include:
- Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities
- Assisted living communities
- Adult family homes
- In-home care arrangements, including hired caregivers
- Hospitals and rehabilitation centers
- Group homes for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities
- Situations involving a guardian or power of attorney
Often, facilities can be held responsible for staff abuse, in addition to the individual abuser.
Forms of Compensation Available in a Vulnerable Adult Abuse Claim
Washington law allows victims of vulnerable adult abuse to recover a wide range of damages, including:
- Medical and psychological treatment costs
- Costs associated with relocating a loved one to safer care
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Losses connected to financial exploitation, including recovery of stolen or misappropriated funds
- Attorney’s fees and litigation costs, which the law allows a prevailing plaintiff to recover
These claims should ultimately provide money for a victim’s personal and financial losses caused by their abuse.
How Long Do I Have to File a Vulnerable Adult Abuse Claim?
Deadlines for filing a civil claim under Washington’s Abuse of Vulnerable Adults Act depend on the specific facts of the case, including when the abuse occurred and when it was discovered. That’s why it’s important to consult an attorney as soon as you suspect mistreatment. Your lawyer can help you identify the deadlines in your case and comply with all filing requirements.
Contact a Washington State Vulnerable Adult Abuse Lawyer for Help
Your loved one deserves to be heard after experiencing abuse. The individual or facility responsible for the abuse should be held accountable for the harm they caused.
Contact Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer today to schedule a free, confidential consultation and learn how our firm can help you seek compensation that addresses the harm your loved one has suffered.