Fort Collins Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home abuse is a grave issue that affects some of our most vulnerable community members. When the safety and well-being of your loved ones are compromised in a place meant for their care, the consequences can be devastating.

If you suspect that a family member has suffered from nursing home abuse, it’s crucial to seek legal help immediately. An experienced Fort Collins nursing home abuse lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for the justice and compensation your loved one deserves.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to obtaining justice and compensation for those affected by nursing home abuse. Our skilled legal team has a strong history of successfully managing nursing home abuse cases with care and securing substantial settlements and verdicts.

We perform detailed investigations to ensure that every aspect of abuse, including medical costs, emotional distress, and other damages, is thoroughly addressed. Leveraging our extensive experience in handling nursing home abuse claims, we effectively manage the complexities and relentlessly advocate for your rights.

Throughout the process, we offer compassionate and clear guidance, ensuring you and your loved ones remain informed and protected at every stage.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Fort Collins Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home abuse can take many forms, each causing significant harm to elderly patients. Understanding the different types of abuse can help you identify when your loved one is at risk and take the necessary steps to protect them.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse in assisted living facilities often involves the use of unnecessary force, including hitting, pushing, or using restraints. Such actions can lead to unexplained injuries or even wrongful death. The signs of physical violence are often visible, making it slightly easier to detect.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Mental and emotional abuse is more insidious and can include verbal assaults, threats, and isolation. This form of abuse can lead to severe emotional distress, causing anxiety, depression, and a loss of dignity in elderly residents. Unlike physical abuse, the signs are often harder to detect but are equally damaging.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse in nursing homes is a particularly heinous crime. It involves any non-consensual sexual contact between a staff member and a resident. Older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairments, are especially vulnerable to this form of abuse.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice in nursing homes includes negligence in providing appropriate medical care, such as failing to prevent pressure sores, medication errors, or ignoring serious medical conditions. These failures can lead to severe health complications, financial exploitation, and unnecessary suffering.

Negligence

Negligence is one of the most common forms of nursing home abuse. It can manifest in various ways, including poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, or allowing vulnerable members to wander unsupervised (elopement). Neglect occurs when the nursing home staff fails to provide the basic care and supervision that vulnerable residents require.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse involves the illegal or unauthorized use of a resident’s funds or property. This exploitation can include stealing money, forging signatures, or coercing elderly residents into changing their wills or other legal documents. Financial manipulation can leave victims and their families in dire financial straits.

Wrongful Death

In the most tragic cases, nursing home abuse can lead to the wrongful death of a resident. When neglect or abuse results in death, the responsible parties must be held accountable through a wrongful death claim. Our nursing home abuse lawyers in Fort Collins, CO, are committed to seeking justice for families who have lost loved ones due to elder abuse.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Nursing home residents are protected under federal and state laws that ensure their right to a safe and dignified living environment.

The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 is a critical piece of federal legislation that sets standards for the care and treatment of nursing home residents. In Colorado, additional state-specific regulations overseen by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment further protect residents’ rights.

Under these laws, nursing home residents have the right to be free from abuse and neglect.

If these rights are violated, the residents themselves, their family members, or their legal guardians can file a nursing home abuse lawsuit. Our Fort Collins nursing home abuse attorneys are well-versed in federal and Colorado-specific regulations and can help you understand your legal options.

Liability in Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Cases 

In many cases of nursing home abuse, more than one party may be held responsible. Liability can extend to various individuals and entities, including:

• Nursing Home Facility: The nursing home may be liable for negligence, particularly if it fails to train or supervise staff properly.
• Nursing Home Staff: Individual staff members may be directly responsible for the abuse or neglect of residents.
• Nursing Home Management: The facility’s administration can be held liable if it fails to provide adequate staff training or ignores complaints about abuse.
• Third-Party Contractors: Sometimes, third-party contractors, such as cleaning or security personnel, may be involved in the abuse.
• Medical Providers: In medical malpractice cases, the attending physicians or nurses can also be held accountable.

How Our Fort Collins Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Our law firm has extensive experience handling nursing home abuse cases. We understand the emotional and financial toll these situations can take on families, and we are here to help you through every step of the legal process. Our services include:

• Free Case Evaluation: We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and determine the best course of action.
• Case Investigation: We will conduct a thorough investigation to gather evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.
• Filing the Claim: Our attorneys will handle all the paperwork and legal filings necessary to initiate your nursing home abuse lawsuit.
• Settlement Negotiation: We will negotiate with the responsible parties to secure a fair settlement that covers all medical bills, emotional distress, and other damages.
• Trial if Needed: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial to seek justice for your loved one.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents 

In Fort Collins, out of 22 Medicare-approved nursing homes, five facilities (23%) have an overall score rated as below or much below average. The same proportion of nursing homes received lower ratings in health inspections, and six facilities (27%) have inadequate staffing levels. Only one facility (5%) rated poorly on quality measures. [1]

The worst-rated nursing facilities in Fort Collins include:

Recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse is the first step in protecting your loved one. Common signs include:

• Unexplained injuries like bruises or fractures;
• Sudden weight loss or malnutrition;
• Poor hygiene or soiled bedding;
• Withdrawal or changes in behavior;
• Unexplained financial transactions or missing belongings;
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers.

If you notice any of these signs, you need to take immediate action.

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, follow these steps:

• Call 911 if immediate danger exists
• Report to nursing home management
• File a complaint with the Ombudsman’s office
• Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer

Damages You Can Recover Through a Nursing Home Abuse Claim

Victims of nursing home abuse and their families may be entitled to recover various damages, including:

• Economic damages cover measurable losses like medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and relocation fees.
• Non-economic damages compensate for intangible harm such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of dignity, and reduced quality of life.
• Punitive damages are awarded to punish and deter gross negligence or intentional misconduct by the facility or staff.

The Cost of Hiring a Fort Collins Nursing Home Abuse Attorney 

At our law firm, we understand that the financial burden of pursuing legal action can be daunting. That’s why we offer our services on a contingency fee basis—you won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case. This system allows you to seek justice without worrying about upfront legal costs.

You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Fort Collins

It’s important to note that Colorado law imposes a statute of limitations on nursing home abuse claims, meaning you have limited time to file a claim after the abuse occurs.

In Fort Collins, Colorado, the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse cases follows state law. Generally, two years from the date of the abuse or its discovery, with some exceptions that may extend this timeframe depending on the case’s specific circumstances.

If you suspect abuse, it’s crucial to contact a Fort Collins nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your case is filed within the legal time frame.

Contact a Fort Collins Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

If your loved one has suffered abuse in a Fort Collins nursing home, don’t wait to take legal action. Our experienced nursing home abuse lawyers are here to help you seek justice and secure the financial compensation your family deserves. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you protect the rights and well-being of your loved one.

Call us at (800) 926-7565 or fill out our contact form.

References: [1] Medicare