Severe injuries can cause people to need long-term care and constant supervision. When someone suffers a brain injury, they may not only suffer physical damage, but damage to their brain which controls their mental functions. These injuries can leave people vulnerable to abuse by caretakers and assisted living facility staff.
Earlier this month, a New Jersey man was arrested and charged with grand larceny and fraud after stealing the identities of 56 vulnerable adults who suffered from brain injuries. What made the situation worse is the man was supposed to be someone they trusted, working at the Long Island Head Injury Association.
Mental and financial abuse is more common than one might think. Those who aren’t able to make financial decisions for themselves need to have trusted people take care of such matters for them. If someone is unable to take care of their own financial matters, they may need to put in place legal safeguards to make sure they are properly taken care of.
Seeking quality care and ensuring the safety of a person’s finances can sometimes be costly. It is important that those in New Jersey who have suffered a brain injury and their family members understand their rights if the injury is caused by another person’s negligence. If another person’s negligent actions are the cause of an injury, the victim might be entitled to compensation to pay for quality care. Speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney might be a good first step in helping to ensure everything possible is done to safeguard a brain injury victim’s future.
Source: ABC News, “Identity Thief Allegedly Targeted Brain-Injured Victims,” Aaron Katersky, April 16, 2012