Opinion ID: 867568
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Adult Protective Services Act

Text: ¶ 5 Adopted in 1989, the civil version of APSA was intended to create a statutory civil cause of action. Id. The legislature created this cause of action with the following words: An incapacitated or vulnerable adult whose life or health is being or has been endangered or injured by neglect, abuse or exploitation may file an action in superior court against any person or enterprise that has been employed to provide care, [or] that has assumed a legal duty to provide care.... A.R.S. § 46-455(B) (emphasis added). Incapacitated adults include those suffering from an impairment by reason of mental illness, mental deficiency, mental disorder, physical illness or disability, [or] advanced age... to the extent that the person lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate informed decisions concerning his [or her] person. A.R.S. § 46-451(A)(5). Vulnerable adults are those over eighteen years who are unable to protect [themselves] from abuse, neglect or exploitation by others because of a physical or mental impairment. A.R.S. § 46-451(A)(10). Ms. McGill, of course, fits either definition, and APSA clearly covers her. [3] ¶ 6 We have previously alluded to legislative purpose with respect to protection of the elderly: Arizona has a substantial population of elderly people, and the legislature was concerned about elder abuse. Denton, 190 Ariz. at 156, 945 P.2d at 1287. We continue to believe it clear from the text of the statute, the conditions prevalent in this state, and the sparse legislative history [4] that the statute was intended to increase the remedies available to and for elderly people who had been harmed by their caregivers. Id. ¶ 7 The statute creates a civil cause of action for an incapacitated or vulnerable adult who has been injured by neglect, abuse or exploitation.... A.R.S. § 46-455(B). The definitions, however, create some degree of ambiguity because, while the action may be maintained for either neglect or abuse, abuse includes injury caused by negligent acts or omissions. A.R.S. § 46-451(A)(1). [5] Neglect, however, means a pattern of conduct ... resulting in deprivation of ... medication [or] medical services.... A.R.S. § 46-451(A)(7). [6]