COLORADO NURSING HOME & ELDER ABUSE LAWYERS
The experienced Colorado attorneys at Bachus & Schanker are passionate about helping seniors and other nursing home residents fight against abuse, neglect, and emotional harm. Learning that your loved one has been victimized by caregivers is heartbreaking. But you can get justice through a personal injury claim to hold the wrongdoers accountable.
Bachus & Schanker Wins – Over $1 Billion Recovered
Our skilled nursing home neglect lawyers in Colorado know the steps to take to successfully claim compensation for the injuries and suffering of victims. We’re ready to fight for those who cannot advocate for themselves or have been taken advantage of by nursing home staff. Contact us today to learn how we can work together.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse¹ is the mistreatment of a person living in an assisted care facility. Residents of nursing homes have the right to be safe and receive appropriate care. They should get necessary medical attention, food, and socialization in an emotionally and physically secure environment. If your loved one’s care falls below these standards, it could be grounds to bring a legal claim.
Elder Abuse May Be:
- Physical abuse
- Mental abuse
- Emotional and psychological abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect or abandonment
- Isolation
- Financial exploitation
Remember, nursing home abuse injuries may not be apparent right away. It’s essential to check with your loved one and know the signs that could indicate your family member is being abused or neglected.
What Are the Signs of Elder Abuse?
Discovering the abuse of a loved one is a brutal reality to face. Being aware of symptoms of abuse and changes in behavior is key to uncovering and dealing with the situation as quickly as possible.
The Following Signs May Be an Indication of Elder Abuse:
- Changes in your loved one’s behavior, either sudden or gradual
- Emotional withdraw, being unwilling to speak or freely offer information
- Bruising, bleeding, or appearance of new injuries
- The victim’s inability to explain how injuries occur
- Isolation, unwillingness to let friends or family visit
- Bedsores, an unexplained loss of mobility
- Signs of poor hygiene
- Extreme distress about being left alone or family members leaving
- A lack of access or monitoring of the person’s finances
- Illness or infection
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Dehydration, sudden weight loss
If you see a warning sign or your loved one says something that seems off, it’s vital to follow up as they may be trying to tell you something. Any hesitancy on the part of the facility to allow visitation or provide information to the family is also a critical indicator that you should see if something serious has happened.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Nursing Home Abuse Case?
In a nursing home abuse case, damages you can recover include economic losses and psychological suffering. Both situations can cause extensive damage, shorten life expectancy, and decrease quality of life.
Economic Losses Include:
- Medical costs and transportation
- Loss of income
- Property damage
- Theft
Non-Economic Losses Include:
- Diminished quality of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Disinterest in life
Often, the emotional anguish of living with abuse can be as devastating as physical abuse. These are all damages that the victim can claim to receive compensation and help them heal.
How Can Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Help Victims?
Personal injury lawyers help victims of nursing home abuse with every aspect of their case. When abuse is suspected, it can be hard to know what to do, and the victim may not be able to verbalize what’s happening. A nursing home abuse lawyer will know what questions to ask and how to investigate the situation.
Investigations can happen in many types of care facilities, including:
- Nursing home
- Retirement home
- Assisted living facility
- Skilled nursing facility
- Independent living senior apartment
- Continuing care communities
- Long term care
- Enriched housing
What Should You Do if You Suspect Elder Abuse?
If you suspect abuse, here are some important things to know about proving abuse, building your case, and how an attorney can help.
1. Don’t Wait. Tell Someone and Take Action.
Contact Colorado DHS² and police if necessary to get immediate assistance. If you plan to file a claim, Colorado has a time limit for nursing home abuse cases. Generally, a two-year statute of limitation applies. If the case involves a government care facility, the deadline may be limited to 180 days. Be sure to consult with an experienced attorney to see if this time limit applies to your case.
2. Collect Evidence.
Proving nursing home abuse often requires witness testimony, statements from employees, records, medical examinations, photographs, video, and tangible items that demonstrate neglect. Experts and accountants or medical care professionals may be needed to explain the abuse and how the actions of those involved amount to abuse. Attorneys can help collect and interpret important information related to the case.
3. Build a Case and Get Compensation for Damages.
Your loved one can get compensation for nursing home abuse by filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit. A nursing home lawyer can construct a case that itemizes the damage that has occurred. They resolve disputes with insurance companies or the court to win compensation to help the victim recover.
Experienced Attorneys for Nursing Home and Elder Abuse in Colorado
If you feel a loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, remember that you are not alone. Our Colorado nursing home and elder abuse lawyers represent individuals and their families harmed by the ones they should trust the most. It’s our passion to be a voice for victims and help them receive the financial compensation that they deserve.
At Bachus & Schanker, justice is our passion, and we’re eager to put skill and experience to work to help you and your loved ones. We are a fully-resourced legal team experienced in abuse claims, including nursing home abuse, neglect, and other harm involving seniors.
Sources:
¹CRS 26-1-101
²Colorado Department of Human Services. Adult Protective Services. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
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Written and Legally Reviewed By: Kyle Bachus
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,461 Google Reviews
Kyle is a member of the Colorado Bar associations and has served on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association for more than twenty years in total. Over the years, Kyle has achieved justice for many clients. He has served on numerous committees and repeatedly won recognition from his peers at both the state and national level. He is proud of the role he has played in the passage of state and national legislation to protect consumers and is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer.
