Tampa Elderly/Disabled Adult Abuse Attorneys

Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyers Since 1997

It takes a patient, caring, and devoted individual to work with elderly or disabled adults, as they require assistance and often rely on their caretakers for essential daily tasks. There are times when a person tasked to work with an elderly patient or disabled adult may take advantage of their position and abuse the elderly or disabled. Unfortunately, often the wrong person can be accused in cases of aggravated abuse. If you work with the elderly or disabled and have been accused of aggravated abuse, you will want a knowledgeable lawyer to fight for your rights in the legal system. Contact All Criminal Defense Law Group, P.A. to learn more about how our skilled Tampa criminal defense lawyers can help you and schedule a free consultation.

What is Aggravated Abuse of Elderly or Disabled Adults?

The laws defining aggravated abuse of elderly or disabled adults falls under Florida Statute 825.102. The three ways aggravated abuse can occur include if a person:

• Knowingly or willfully abuses an elderly or disabled person and in the process, causes severe bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement;
• Willfully tortures, intentionally punishes, or unlawfully cages an elderly or disabled individual; or
• Uses a deadly weapon on an elderly person or disabled individual.

Being found guilty of aggravated abuse of an elderly or disabled adult is a felony of the first degree in Florida.

Why Innocent People are Charged with Aggravated Abuse of Elderly or Disabled Adults

There are situations when abuse is misreported and the wrong person is charged with the crime. For aggravated abuse, the person must be intentionally trying to harm the adult in their care. What looks like aggravated abuse may actually be due to the caretaker’s lack of training or experience at their particular job.

Another reason people are wrongly charged with aggravated abuse happens because the person in their care may self-neglect. According to a peer-reviewed article in the US National Library of Medicine, a person may be trained to respect the autonomy of an adult who still has the cognitive function to make decisions themselves. If an elder or disabled adult makes a choice that causes their own injuries, a caretaker may still be unfairly accused of abuse.

Family members of an elderly or disabled person may hire a caretaker to ease some of the stress from their lives. However, it can still be a very emotional time for the family of an adult who is not operating at full capacity. Sometimes these family members can be overwhelmed when their loved one becomes sick or injured. They may take this frustration and stress out on the caretaker and wrongfully accuse the caretaker of abuse.

Contact a Tampa Abuse Lawyer Today

If you have been accused of abuse or aggravated abuse of an elder or disabled individual, contact the law firm of All Criminal Defense Law Group, P.A. before speaking with law enforcement.  Once something is said to law enforcement, it cannot be unsaid. We will offer advice about your case and represent you in the courtroom, if we cannot plea you out or have the charges dismissed. We have decades of experience since 1997 and the knowledge to fully investigate your case and protect your rights.  Contact us today at 813-672-1900 or email us to schedule an initial free consultation to speak with one of our Tampa criminal attorneys to help you with charges involving abuse of elderly or disabled adults.

Or if there is an emergency after hours, please call  813-551-3903  for assistance.