Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyers Serving Victims and Their Families Throughout Southern Colorado

The choice to move a loved one into a nursing home is never easy, but it comes with the expectation that they will be given proper care. Unfortunately, nursing home neglect and abuse remain harsh realities for many American families. Far too often, nursing home operators prioritize profits over the well-being and safety of their residents. Our nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP work on behalf of victims and their families to investigate abuse or neglect, prove liability, and seek monetary compensation for the unacceptable harms and losses they have suffered.

As families grapple with how to care for aging parents and loved ones that make up a growing aging population, the number of individuals that require assisted living or advanced care for longer periods place increased demands on these facilities. Consequently, nursing home residents are at a growing risk for neglect. Our attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP help nursing home residents and their families seek appropriate compensation when nursing homes do not uphold their responsibilities to care for the well-being of their elderly residents.

Call us at (719) 520-9909(719) 520-9909 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation so we can assess your case and begin your path to recovery and justice.

Key Takeaways:

• Heuser & Heuser, LLP helps nursing home neglect victims and their families seek compensation for their injuries caused by another person’s negligence or abuse in Colorado Springs and throughout Southern Colorado.
• The family members of a nursing home negligence victim should seek immediate medical attention for their loved one after discovery of injuries or abuse in order to pursue proper diagnosis, help their physical recovery, and support an eventual nursing home negligence claim.
• Colorado’s filing deadline for nursing home negligence cases can be as short as two years, so victims need to gather evidence and prepare a legal strategy well before that deadline. Government-operated nursing facilities require a notice of claim within only 182 days.
• Heuser & Heuser, LLP offers free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay for legal services if Heuser & Heuser, LLP wins compensation for you. It is in your interest to request a free case evaluation today to determine the right next steps for your nursing home abuse or neglect case.

Common Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse in Colorado Springs

Our personal injury attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP in Colorado Springs can guide you regarding possible nursing home abuse or neglect in response to these common signs of a nursing home’s failure to properly care for your loved one:

• Bedsores and Ulcers: These develop from prolonged pressure on the skin, indicating inadequate repositioning or care.
• Poor Personal Hygiene: Unkempt appearance, soiled clothing, or foul odors suggest neglect in bathing, grooming, or toileting assistance.
• Unexplained Injuries: Bruises, cuts, burns, or scars may point to physical abuse or lack of supervision.
• Unexplained Falls: Frequent falls or injuries from falls can indicate insufficient monitoring or failure to implement fall prevention measures.
• Malnutrition and Dehydration: Sudden weight loss, dry skin, or cracked lips signal inadequate food or water provision.
• Broken Bones or Sprains: These injuries may occur due to improper handling or lack of safety measures.
• Open Cuts and Bruises: Visible wounds without explanation could indicate rough handling or neglect.
• Psychological Abuse Complaints: Fear, withdrawal, or depression may stem from verbal threats, humiliation, or isolation.
• Improper Use of Restraints: Marks or injuries from restraints can suggest misuse or overuse.
• Lack of Medical Care: Worsening health conditions or untreated illnesses highlight neglect in addressing medical needs.
• Social Isolation: Limited interaction with others or avoidance of visitors may indicate emotional neglect.
• Soiled Bedding or Living Conditions: Dirty or unsafe environments reflect poor facility maintenance.
• Medication Mismanagement: Missed doses or overmedication can lead to health complications.
• Wandering or Elopement: Residents leaving the facility unattended show a lack of supervision.

Colorado Law mandates reporting suspected elder abuse or neglect to law enforcement or county agencies within 24 hours. Schedule a free case evaluation today so we can guide you regarding your next steps.

Types of Nursing Home Neglect & Elder Abuse in Colorado Springs

Unfortunately, nursing home negligence and elder abuse in Southern Colorado occur in many forms:

• Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, or improper restraint could qualify as physical abuse. Signs include bruises or broken bones.
• Emotional Abuse: Verbal assaults, insults, or actions causing isolation could qualify as emotional abuse. Victims may show fear or withdrawal.
• Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact could qualify as sexual abuse. Victims often feel shame and may not report it.
• Neglect of Basic Needs: When caregivers fail to provide necessities like food, water, and shelter, this neglect of basic needs could lead to malnutrition or dehydration.
• Neglect of Medical and Personal Hygiene: Failing to provide medical attention or personal hygiene can indicate neglect, and may lead to health deterioration.
• Financial Abuse: Residents are sometimes exploited for money or assets. Individuals with cognitive impairments are common targets for financial abuse.
• Wrongful Death Due to Nursing Home Negligence: A family may have a valid wrongful death claim in relation to nursing home neglect or abuse when it leads to a resident’s death. Our attorneys can assess these tragic situations to explore your options for legal action against the facility.

Our nursing home abuse lawyers at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can assess your nursing home abuse case during a free consultation. Tell us how you believe your loved one may have suffered abuse in a Colorado nursing home, and our nursing home negligence attorney team will guide you to pursue a personal injury claim seeking fair compensation for the abuse victim and/or family members affected by the nursing home staff’s abuse and neglect.

What To Do When You Suspect a Loved One Has Been Neglected or Abused in Colorado Springs

The following are steps to take if you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse in Colorado Springs:

• Document Signs of Neglect or Abuse: Take photographs of injuries, such as bedsores or bruises. Log specific observations, including dates, times, and details concerning behaviors or conditions like poor hygiene or untreated medical needs.
• Speak with Your Loved One: Have a private conversation to gather details about their experience, if they feel comfortable and safe sharing. Look for signs of fear or hesitation when discussing staff or the facility.
• Request Records from the Facility: Ask for medical records, care plans, or incident reports. Review these documents for unexplained injuries, missed medications, or inconsistencies in care.
• Report to Authorities: Contact Adult Protective Services (APS) in Colorado within 24 hours to report suspected abuse or neglect. APS investigates cases involving elder mistreatment. You can find information specific to your county through the Colorado Department of Human Services.
• File a Complaint with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE): Submit a complaint to the CDPHE, the agency overseeing nursing home licensing and regulation in Colorado. They will investigate violations of care standards. Information on complaints is available on the CDPHE website.
• Consult Law Enforcement if Appropriate: Notify local law enforcement if you suspect that abuse involves criminal conduct, such as physical or sexual harm. Colorado Law requires reporting any suspected abuse to law enforcement or county officials within 24 hours.
• Contact a Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Reach out to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates for nursing home residents. The ombudsman can investigate complaints and work to resolve them with the facility.
• Remove Your Loved One if Necessary: If your loved one is in immediate danger, arrange for their transfer to another facility or temporary care setting. This step prioritizes their safety.
• Seek Legal Advice: Work with an attorney experienced in nursing home neglect cases to evaluate your situation. Our attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can assist you in filing a personal injury claim under Colorado’s elder abuse laws to seek compensation for injured residents that have suffered harm from nursing facility staff.

These actions help protect a loved one’s wellbeing while pursuing accountability for neglect or abuse. Colorado Law provides specific protections to vulnerable adults, including mandatory reporting and avenues for holding facilities accountable. Our experienced legal team at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can guide you.

How To Prove Nursing Home Abuse in Southern Colorado

You and your attorney must show that the following four elements are present in order to prove a nursing home neglect or abuse case in Colorado:

• Duty of Care: The nursing home or caregiver must have a legal obligation to provide a standard level of care to the resident. This involves maintaining the resident’s health, safety, and well-being.
• Breach of Duty: The nursing home or caregiver fails to meet the established standard of care. This could involve neglecting basic needs such as food, hygiene, medical care, or safety measures.
• Causation: There must be a direct link between the breach of duty and the harm suffered by the resident. It must be shown that the neglect directly caused the injury or deterioration in the resident’s condition.
• Damages: The resident must have suffered specific harm or injury due to the neglect. This can include physical injuries, emotional distress, or financial losses due to medical expenses.

Our Colorado Springs nursing home abuse legal team at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can guide you through the legal process to pursue a nursing home abuse lawsuit against an assisted care facility if you suspect abuse.

Our personal injury lawyer team has many years of experience protecting the elderly population through legal representation seeking full and fair compensation for families of elderly victims throughout Southern Colorado. We can review your case and assess your legal options during a free case evaluation.

Avoiding and Preventing Nursing Home Abuse — Finding a Safe Nursing Home Facility in Colorado Springs

Consider these recent statistics on nursing home abuse and neglect:

• Prevalence of Abuse: Approximately 10% of Americans aged 60 and older experience elder abuse annually, with many cases occurring in nursing homes.
• Underreporting: Only 1 in 24 elder abuse cases are reported, suggesting the issue is more widespread than documented.
• Neglect Rates: Around 12% of nursing home residents report neglect, often linked to understaffing or inadequate training.

Identifying Safe Nursing Homes and Preventing Nursing Home Abuse in Colorado Springs

You can take proactive steps to make sure your loved one’s new nursing home environment will serve their needs adequately while respecting their rights. The following steps are ways to identify safer nursing homes and to help prevent future abuse or neglect:

• Research Facility Records: Review state inspection reports and complaint histories through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Understanding a facility’s track record can help families identify potential red flags.
• Visit the Facility: Observe cleanliness, staff interactions, and resident conditions during a tour. Look for overall cleanliness and signs that residents are well-supported and treated with respect during daily care.
• Check Staffing Levels: Ask about staff-to-resident ratios and qualifications to assess care quality.
• Engage with Residents and Families: Speak with current residents and their families to gather firsthand experiences. Visit your loved one regularly to observe their condition and living environment. Frequent visits make it easier to spot changes in physical appearance, emotional well-being, or living conditions that might indicate neglect or abuse.
• Build Relationships with Staff: Regularly communicate with caregivers, medical personnel, and administrators. A positive relationship encourages open dialogue and allows you to monitor your loved one’s care more effectively.
• Review Specialized Services: Confirm the facility offers services tailored to your loved one’s needs, such as dementia care or rehabilitative therapies.
• Document Care Agreements: Review and keep a copy of the facility’s care agreement, which outlines the services they indicate they provide. Colorado Law requires facilities to meet certain standards, and having documentation helps to hold them accountable.
• Encourage Social Connections: Advocate for your loved one to participate in social activities and interact with other residents. A strong social network helps reduce isolation, which is often a risk factor for abuse.
• Check Compliance with State Laws: Colorado Law mandates reporting abuse within 24 hours to law enforcement or Adult Protective Services (APS). Confirm the facility complies with training and staffing regulations aimed at protecting residents from abuse.
• Monitor Financial Activity: Review financial statements and watch for unusual transactions. Financial exploitation can occur when access to a resident’s funds or property is misused by staff or others.
• Educate Yourself on Signs of Abuse: Learn to recognize physical, emotional, financial, and neglectful abuse symptoms, such as unexplained bruises, weight loss, changes in demeanor, or unclean living environments.
• Report Concerns Immediately: If you suspect abuse, file a report with APS via the Colorado Department of Human Services and notify local law enforcement. Reporting promptly can stop abusive behavior and initiate investigations.

These steps help families make informed decisions and protect their loved ones from potential harm while promoting accountability within nursing homes.

How a Colorado Springs Nursing Home Neglect Attorney at Heuser & Heuser, LLP Can Help

Our skilled attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP have a deep understanding of nursing home abuse and neglect cases, and we work closely with family members when nursing home abuse occurs to seek full and fair compensation under the law that accounts for medical costs, mental anguish, and other losses.

• Free Consultation: Our legal team at Heuser & Heuser, LLP provides free case evaluations to help nursing home residents and their families when these residents may have suffered abuse or neglect by the very people that are supposed to take care of them. We can assess the details to assess the validity of the claim and guide you to pursue a claim against the care facilities and/or nursing home staff.
• Legal Representation and Investigation: Our attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP investigate the abuse or neglect, collect evidence, and build a strong case. We review nursing home and medical records to identify signs of neglect, such as bed sores, malnutrition, or unexplained injuries. Proving abuse or neglect requires pursuit of a tailored legal strategy that includes gathering evidence of breach of duty of care, causation, and damages.
• Economic Losses: We help our clients seek economic damages, which can include compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and financial losses due to the abuse. This can cover the cost of medical treatments, therapy, and necessary relocation expenses.
• Non-Economic Losses: Our attorneys also pursue non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship in nursing home neglect and abuse cases. These damages compensate for the emotional and psychological impact of the abuse on the victim and their family.
• Negotiation and Litigation: At Heuser & Heuser, LLP, we negotiate with the nursing home and insurance companies for appropriate monetary compensation. If necessary, we represent the resident and their family in court to hold the facility accountable and seek justice for the victim.
• Guidance and Support: Our attorneys provide you guidance throughout the legal process, helping you understand your rights and options. We provide support to help our clients make informed decisions.

Tell us your story during a free case evaluation, and the committed attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP in Colorado Springs will guide you through the next steps in your nursing home abuse case.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Heuser & Heuser, LLP to Explore a Nursing Home Neglect Claim in Colorado Springs or Southern Colorado

If one of your family members has suffered nursing home neglect or abuse, our skilled nursing home abuse in Colorado Springs or the surrounding Southern Colorado area, our nursing home & elder abuse lawyers at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can guide you to seek justice and compensation. Our law firm will evaluate your nursing home abuse case for free, and we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if we win money for you in your nursing home abuse claim.

While our nursing home abuse lawyers provide you legal representation, you can focus on your family and recovery. We understand the emotional weight of knowing your loved one has suffered from neglect or abuse as a resident at a nursing facility. We are dedicated to pursuing justice for nursing home victims. We can give you peace of mind while we seek the financial compensation you need to account for the harms and losses your loved one has suffered.

Call us at (719) 520-9909(719) 520-9909 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation so we can assess your case and begin your path to recovery and justice.

Southern Colorado Locals Committed to Providing You Peace of Mind on Your Road to Recovery