Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Colorado Springs
What to Do If You Suspect Elder Abuse in Colorado Springs
If you believe a loved one is experiencing abuse or neglect in a nursing home, it's critical to act immediately. Warning signs may include:
- Unexplained bruises, fractures, or cuts
- Sudden weight loss or malnutrition
- Poor hygiene or unsanitary living conditions
- Withdrawal, depression, or fear around staff
- Bedsores or untreated medical issues
- Missing belongings or financial irregularities
Ensure Immediate Safety
If the situation is urgent or life-threatening, call 911 right away.
Document the Signs
Take photographs of any visible injuries, living conditions, or signs of neglect. Write down dates, times, and details of what you observe.
Report to Authorities
In Colorado, elder abuse is taken seriously. You can report suspected abuse to:
- Adult Protective Services (APS): 1-844-264-5437
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE): For licensed facilities
- Local law enforcement, if you believe a crime has occurred
Seek Medical Attention
If your loved one is injured or ill, have them evaluated by a trusted medical professional immediately.
Contact a Colorado Springs Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
An experienced Colorado Springs nursing home abuse attorney can help you investigate the abuse, protect your loved one's rights, and pursue compensation for injuries and suffering. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better your chances of preserving key evidence and strengthening your claim.
At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we work quickly to gather records, interview witnesses, and uncover systemic issues within the facility. Our goal is accountability—and recovery.
If Your Elderly Loved One Suffered Harm in a Colorado Springs Nursing Home, We Want to Help
Elder abuse and neglect is becoming an epidemic throughout the United States. When the worst has happened, families should know there are things they can do to ensure that those guilty of the abuse are held liable for their actions. Contact The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., to speak directly to a Colorado Springs personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Dial (719) 475-2555 for a free consultation.
Why Choose Us Over Other Colorado Springs Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers?
- 30+ years of legal experience, including extensive litigation and courtroom representation.
- Recognized as one of the Best Personal Injury Law Firms in Colorado Springs by Expertise.com.
- Listed Super Lawyers for over 14 years, reflecting peer-reviewed excellence in legal practice.
- Millions recovered for injury victims and families.
- Recipient of the Martindale-Hubbell Gold Client Champion Award for exceptional service and client satisfaction.
- Named a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA)—an elite society of trial lawyers.
- Featured on the cover of Colorado Springs Magazine as one of the city's Top Attorneys.
Types of Elder Care Facilities
It is essential that you do your research and find the establishment that's right for your family's circumstances. There are many different types of care facilities to choose from, including:
- Adult daycare: Just as the name implies, an adult daycare center is a place where seniors are brought during the day, usually dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon or early evening. This is a great option for families who want to ensure their aging relative is able to stay at home since it allows the regular caregiver to go to work or attend to other tasks. It also gives the senior access to regular social interaction and activities, as well as constant supervision and, if necessary, medical attention.
- Memory care: A memory care facility is a specialized nursing home for patients suffering from some form of dementia, such as Alzheimer's. Memory care usually involves a tailored program for each senior that is designed to delay the progression of symptoms and prolong the quality of life for as long as possible. This is achieved by creating set routines that help ease the stress on the patient and exercises designed to stimulate memory retention. These facilities also have safety features geared specifically to those with dementia.
- Skilled nursing facility (SNF): A skilled nursing facility is a healthcare center that has medical staff on duty at all times, including at least one nurse and one doctor (though usually more depending on the size of the facility). SNFs are equipped to prescribe and dispense medicine and also perform some combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. They also have the capacity to provide meals and attend to personal hygiene. These types of facilities are typically for patients who have just left the hospital or have had a recent medical episode and need specialized care as they recover. In general, this is a temporary stay until the patient is well enough to return home.
What Are the Rights of a Colorado Nursing Home Resident?
Every resident of a nursing home or elder care facility has certain rights that must be explained to them as soon as they move in. These rights are protected by federal and Colorado state law, and they include the following rights:
- To be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
- To be duly and clearly informed in writing regarding the services and fees of the residence prior to moving in.
- To manage your finances yourself or assign an agent to do so on your behalf.
- To privacy, and to retain your property as long as it doesn't interfere with your own well-being or the well-being of staff or your fellow residents.
- To your own medical information and to be consulted about any procedures, medications, and care. You also have the right to see your own doctor.
- To set your own schedule and activities.
Elder Abuse Can Take Many Forms
Most people think of abuse as physical abuse - shoving, hitting, or perhaps burning a victim. But there are many types of elder abuse that we see in nursing homes, such as:
- Emotional abuse can occur when a caregiver inflicts stress or upsets a nursing home resident. The caregiver may humiliate the victim, intimidate, or verbally assault the victim.
- Neglect is a type of abuse that involves not ensuring the elder is given proper care and attention. Staff may leave a senior in his room without food or water because the facility is understaffed or as a passive form of punishment. Management needs to ensure there are enough caregivers to properly care for every nursing home resident.
- Self-neglect is when a resident refuses to take medication or take care of personal hygiene. It is the staff's responsibility to ensure the nursing home resident is properly cared for. That's what they're paid to do.
- Abandonment is when a nursing home resident has been left alone for a long period of time, particularly off the grounds of the nursing home.
- Financial abuse occurs when a caregiver steals or uses a resident's assets or personal property without permission or tricks the elder into giving up money or possessions.
- Sexual abuse by a caregiver or sexual abuse by another nursing home resident should never be allowed to occur in a nursing home.
Holding Nursing Homes Responsible
If you suspect abuse has occurred in Colorado Springs, report it right away to the Colorado Department of Human Services. The situation can also be reported to the facility's administrator, the Colorado Nursing Home Administrators Board, local law enforcement, or a Colorado nursing home lawyer at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., who will know the next steps to take.
Once the report has been filed, the situation will be investigated. Criminal charges may be laid against the nursing home. This will not provide compensation for the victim or family. However, compensation may be available. Through a lawsuit, injured individuals may seek compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, and mental and physical pain and suffering.
Colorado does have a cap of $250,000 on emotional pain and suffering. This is due to the fact that in emotionally charged cases, juries are prone to awarding immense amounts in pain and suffering. The right Colorado Springs nursing home abuse lawyer will know how to maximize your claim and get justice for your loved one.
Speak to a Colorado Springs Elder Abuse Attorney
If you suspect your loved one has been abused in a Colorado Springs nursing home, don't wait. Contact us today at (719) 475-2555.
At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we have the experience to handle these cases and get victims and their loved ones the compensation they deserve. We will fight for your family and ensure those who perpetrated the abuse are held responsible for their actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered nursing home abuse in Colorado?
Abuse includes physical harm, emotional mistreatment, financial exploitation, sexual abuse, and neglect (failing to provide adequate care, food, water, or medical treatment).
How common is nursing home abuse?
Unfortunately, it's more prevalent than many realize. According to national studies, 1 in 6 seniors in institutional settings has experienced some form of abuse in the past year.
What damages can be recovered in a nursing home abuse case in Colorado?
Compensation may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, costs of relocation, and punitive damages in extreme cases.
Is neglect the same as abuse?
Neglect is a form of abuse. It includes failure to provide proper food, hygiene, medical care, or supervision. It can be just as harmful, especially to frail or disabled residents.
What if my loved one has dementia and can't communicate?
That's common—and facilities in Colorado Springs are required to provide care regardless. You can still pursue a case on their behalf. Behavioral changes, injuries, or sudden health declines may be indicators of abuse or neglect.
Can I sue an individual caregiver or just the facility?
Both may be liable. In many cases, the facility is legally responsible for the actions (or inactions) of its employees.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Colorado?
In most cases, the statute of limitations for personal injury or elder abuse claims is two years from the date the abuse was discovered or should have been discovered. Don't delay; acting quickly strengthens your case.
How do you prove nursing home abuse occurred?
Evidence can include medical records, expert testimony, photos of injuries, staff records, witness statements, surveillance footage, and facility inspection reports.
What does it cost to hire your firm?
We offer free consultations and handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
Additional Information
- How to Keep Your Elderly Loved One Safe
- Elder Abuse - NIH
- About Abuse of Older Persons - CDC
- Overview of Elder Abuse - Merck Manual