An Overview of Elder Abuse and Neglect in the US

Based in Chicago, Illinois, the Law Offices of Craig L. Manchik and Associates, PC, provide support with a range of legal issues, including instances of medical malpractice and workplace injuries. Attorneys at the Law Offices of Craig L. Manchik and Associates, PC, can also assist clients with matters of nursing home abuse and neglect.

Nursing home abuse and neglect is far too common in the United States, particularly when one takes into account the fact that nearly 87 million Americans, which is roughly 21 percent of the population, will be over the age of 65 by 2050. Today, between 1 and 2 million seniors report instances of abuse or neglect on an annual basis, though the National Center on Elder Abuse believes only one in 14 cases are reported, making the problem far greater than some studies might suggest.

There are a number of additional misconceptions regarding elder abuse and neglect. For example, abuse is not typically carried out by a stranger. On the contrary, 60 percent of elder abuse and neglect cases are perpetrated by someone known to the victim, most often family members. In 30 percent of these cases, the perpetrator is a spouse or romantic partner, while 17 percent of the time the perpetrator is an adult child of the victim.

Though elder abuse might conjure up stories about long-term financial exploitation, general neglect accounts for about 48.7 percent of cases, while 35.4 percent of cases involve emotional abuse. Individuals or families in the Chicago area who believe they or someone they know has been a victim of elder abuse or neglect should consider visiting www.manchiklaw.com.

An Introduction to Product Liability Litigation

Craig L. Manchik has managed Craig Manchik & Associates, PC, in Chicago, Illinois, for nearly 22 years. Attorneys at Craig Manchik & Associates, PC, are capable of addressing a wide range of client needs, from support with nursing home abuse and neglect cases to insight into product liability litigation.

Product liability cases can involve an array of consumer goods, including malfunctioning medical devices and toys that pose danger to young children. Product liability cases are highly common in the United States and abroad.

Product liability litigation may target any segment of the manufacturing chain. Legal professionals with experience working on product liability cases can evaluate a potential instance of product liability and determine whether plaintiffs should pursue a case based on design defects, manufacturing defects, or marketing defects, depending on what kind of accident or injury was caused by the product.

However, there are a few caveats individuals should be aware of before initiating product liability litigation. For example, a product that has been used in a manner not intended by the manufacturer is unlikely to qualify for a product liability case, regardless of the amount of damages a user may have incurred. Similarly, the further removed a product is from its original condition, either due to customization or the passing of time, the less likely it is that the manufacturer can be charged with product liability.

Five Warning Signs of Elderly Neglect

The Law Offices of Craig L. Manchik & Associates, P.C., in Chicago represents clients in a broad array of personal injury and wrongful death cases, from work-related injuries to medical malpractice. Attorneys at Craig L. Manchik & Associates, P.C., also help families and individuals seek justice for instances of abuse and neglect of elderly individuals under full-time care. Knowing the signs of elderly neglect is an important first step to protecting loved ones, and the following list reviews some common red flags. 

1. Weight loss or malnutrition. Progressive or sudden weight loss without a medical cause may indicate that the individual’s caretakers are not providing adequate food and water. Weight loss due to neglect may also lead to malnutrition, as the person is not receiving the essential vitamins and minerals they would be getting from a healthy diet. 

2. Unexplained injuries. Protecting their patients from harm and taking preventive measures is a key part of a caregiver’s job. Elderly individuals who require full-time care can easily sustain injury if consistently left without assistance and supervision. Regular unexplained injuries may indicate your loved one’s caregiver frequently leaves them alone. 

3. Unclean living spaces. Elderly individuals under full-time care rely on their caregivers to perform a wide range of tasks, from doing laundry to cleaning their living spaces. An unsanitary living space may indicate elderly neglect, particularly if you often find bugs, dirt, or soiled clothes or bedding. 

4. Appearance of bedsores. The appearance of bedsores can raise a number of questions. It could mean caregivers did not regularly reposition a bedridden individual, failed to notify a physician of a developing sore, or have not been properly looking after the patient’s personal hygiene. 

5. Abnormal behavioral changes. Frequent neglect may result in abnormal changes in personality or behavior for elderly persons in a full-time care facility. The patient may become socially withdrawn or express a distrust of caregivers and nursing staff.