Our Stockbroker Misconduct Lawyers Represent Retirees, Older Seniors, and The Families of Investors Who Are Very Sick

Under new FINRA rule amendments, investors who are at least 70 years old or facing serious health issues can request accelerated arbitration processing to resolve broker fraud claims within 10 months. The law firm Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas highlights this change, offering legal representation to help vulnerable or ill seniors recover critical retirement funds and medical expenses lost to financial misconduct.

These days, disputes between brokers and their customers are usually brought to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration. A typical investment loss recovery claim can usually take around 12 to 16 months—unless a settlement is reached sooner. However, FINRA recently introduced amendments to accelerate this general timeline for investors age 70 or older, as well as those with serious health issues.

For decades, Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Senior Investor Fraud Lawyers (investorlawyers.com) has provided quality securities representation to seniors, as well as investors with serious medical conditions. We are an experienced elder financial abuse law firm that has gone up against the largest Wall Street firms, as well as broker-dealers all over the United States.

What is FINRA’s Accelerated Processing for Those Who Qualify Based on Their Age or Health?

For FINRA arbitration claims filed on or after March 30, 2026, Claimants can ask for accelerated processing if:

• They are at least 70-years-old or can certify that they have a medical diagnosis with a prognosis.
• Have reasonable grounds for believing that accelerating the process for the claim is essential to “prevent prejudicing their interest” in the case.
• The purpose of this is to give these individuals a way to get their case resolved sooner. This can be especially important if—given their advanced age or failing health—they have urgent financial needs.
• If the accelerated processing is granted, the arbitration panel ruling on the Claim will try to issue an award within 10 months of approval.
• The investor must ask for the accelerated processing when filing their FINRA arbitration case or submitting an answer.

Why Can It Be Even More Catastrophic For Older Investors Or Those Who Are Very Sick?

Losing your money at any time in life can lead to devastating consequences. This is even more true if you are an older investor who is entirely dependent on your retirement money or someone with a serious diagnosis who needs to be able to pay for costly medical bills.

Senior Investor Fraud

Unfortunately, there are financial advisors who will try to take advantage of older investors who have spent a lifetime saving their money. Cognitive impairments and social isolation can make these customers more vulnerable to high-pressure sales tactics and investment scams. Whether you were a victim of elder financial abuse by a broker deliberately seeking to defraud you—or your financial advisor was merely ignorant or careless—you may be able to sue.

Investors With Serious Health Issues

Investors with serious health issues may have urgent cash needs, such as big medical bills, that can make them more prone to easily falling for promises of high returns. They may be suffering from dementia or other serious illness that can make it hard for them to fully understand what they are agreeing to or authorizing. An investor suffering from a chronic or terminal illness may lack the energy or focus to notice suspect activity in their investment account.

When Seniors and Sick Investors Become the Victims of Broker Fraud or Negligence

People often think of fraud as something done by anyone other than a financial professional. Unfortunately, there are bad brokers out there.

Even if the financial advisor didn’t have bad intentions, we can’t tell you how many investors come to us blindsided to lose their life savings because of unsuitable investment recommendations, overconcentration, selling away, churning, unauthorized trades, misrepresentations and omissions, negligence, gross negligence, or other stockbroker misconduct.

Explore Your Legal Options With Our Trusted Securities Law Firm

At Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Senior Investor Fraud Lawyers, we understand how terribly impactful it can be to you and your family to suffer portfolio losses. We offer quality securities representation, along with passionate and personalized attention. We have helped thousands of investors to secure awards or settlements from brokerage firms and investment advisers.

Call our Senior Investor Fraud Lawyers at (800) 259-9010 or contact us online to schedule your free case consultation.

If you are an older senior or a family member of one, looking to take preemptive measures to protect your money, contact our estate state planning and elder law partner law firm, McCulloch and Miller.