Connecticut Elder Fraud Statutes

Connecticut Statute CGS § 17b-450-452 provides the state’s elderly population with protection from elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. According to the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging and Independent Living, the Department of Social Services Protective Services for the Elderly (PSE) Program is responsible for investigating and dealing with the issues of elder abuse.

The most common forms of elder abuse consist of:

• Physical Abuse – the non-accidental infliction of physical pain, injury or impairment against an older adult. May include hitting, slapping, shoving, restraints, confinement or use of drugs to cause harm.
• Emotional Abuse – may include verbal intimidation through yelling or threatening, humiliation, ridicule, blaming or scapegoating. Non-verbal abuse can include ignoring the elder, isolation, or inducing fear.
• Sexual Abuse – physical contact with an elderly person without their consent. Such contact can include physical sexual acts, showing the elder pornographic material, forcing the elder to watch sexual acts or forcing the elder to undress.
• Neglect – failure to fulfill a caretaking obligation that can be intentional or unintentional. Neglect can include lack of medical care, dehydration, and malnutrition.

Financial Exploitation – the unauthorized or coerced use of an elderly person’s funds or property by another individual.

In October 2015, Connecticut lawmakers passed Public Act 15-236, a bill strengthening the protection for its elderly population. This bill expands the list of mandatory reporters required to report incidents or suspicions of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment, and the consequences they face for not reporting. In short, mandatory reporters are required to provide information within 72 hours of witnessing or suspecting elder abuse to the Commissioner of Social Services or face up to $1,500 in fines. The bill also includes more severe penalties for the perpetrators of the crimes based on the type of elder abuse involved.

The list of individuals considered mandatory reporters is expanded to include licensed or certified medical services providers, as well as financial agents who have direct contact with an elderly person or review/approve documents, records, or transactions for an elderly person.

Elder fraud can be devastating to victims, especially when it involves a trusted professional. If you lost money due to fraudulent actions, contact the Silver Law Group. Our elder financial fraud lawyers have helped many people recover lost money through litigation or arbitration, and we may be able to do the same for you. Call us toll-free at 1-800-975-4345 or send us a message through our online form.