False Accusations of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse can involve verbal, physical, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect. Persons found guilty of elder abuse face the possibility of severe fines and penalties, including jail time. In order for an accusation to be proven valid, there must be evidence to support it.
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False Accusations Of Elder Abuse
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Sometimes, well-meaning neighbors or friends who misinterpret something that they see or hear will report a caregiver to Adult Protective Services or to the police. In some cases, the senior citizen herself may make a false accusation in order to retaliate against a caregiver. The laws in some states, including California, mandate that health care professionals report any suspected abuse, even if the alleged victim does not report it or agree that abuse has taken place.
Responding To Accusations
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People accused of elder abuse who can provide evidence that the elderly person in their care is receiving proper medical care, proper nutrition, and is well cared for, usually find that the accusations against them are dropped.
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Legal Action
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An attorney specializing in elder law can help a person who is falsely accused of elder abuse by representing him in a court of law. The burden of proof in a criminal case lies with the prosecution, and if an attorney can argue that there is insufficient evidence against the defendant, they can have the allegations against their client dismissed.
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References
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