Elders and Vulnerable Adults Frequently Get Taken For a Ride According to some recent statistical surveys, there will be 71.5 million people living in the United States who are over 65 years of age by the year 2030. With the increase in the number of elderly persons moving to Florida, there will of course be a proportional number of those living here who have cognitive disabilities. These seniors are frequently vulnerable targets of exploitation. Florida has taken steps to increase the protections of our vulnerable adults through enacting the abuse of the elderly statute. The Florida Exploitation of Elderly Statute, codified at Fla.Stat. §415.1111 et seq. imposes civil penalties on persons who exploit a vulnerable adult in Florida. These civil actions against exploiters have teeth—as the statute allows actual and punitive damages by a victim and the prevailing party can also recover attorney fees and costs. Also, the statute is […]