Assisted living and nursing home care is a valuable service for many individuals and their families all over Cheyenne and across Wyoming. People invest considerable time and money in finding a facility that they trust to care for their vulnerable loved ones. Many of these same families are rightfully shocked, devastated, and angry when they learn that their loved one has been mentally, physically, or sexually abused at the hands of trusted caregivers.
Did your loved one suffer abuse or neglect due to nursing home negligence in Cheyenne? The facility, employees, and those responsible for hiring, training, and supervising workers can and should be held liable for negligent or criminal acts against the elderly.
At the Olson Law Firm, LLC, we understand the frustration, confusion, and distress that families feel when they discover that abuse has occurred in a nursing home, and we will work to put an immediate stop to the mistreatment and get your loved one to a safe place. Our experienced Cheyenne nursing home abuse lawyer will then aggressively demand justice and seek fair compensation for what happened. Call (720) 730-9996 or contact us online to set up a free consultation with Sean Olson now.
Dangers to Watch for in Cheyenne Nursing Homes
Adult Protective Services (APS) in the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) seeks to ensure that a person’s safety and basic needs are being met in the least restrictive environment. The agency identifies several types of harm nursing home residents may suffer, including:
- Abuse: This is defined as intentionally or recklessly causing physical or mental injury, intimidation, cruel punishment, or unreasonable confinement. It can also include sexual offenses.
- Intimidation: This type of abuse is defined as communicating by word or act to a vulnerable adult that they or their loved ones will be deprived of some need.
- Sexual abuse: This includes sexual contact such as unwanted touching, all types of sexual assault or battery, and sexual exploitation.
- Financial exploitation: This is defined as a reckless or intentional act to obtain control over a vulnerable adult’s money, assets, or property.
- Neglect: This is defined as depriving a vulnerable adult of the minimum care necessary to maintain life or health. Self-neglect is defined as a vulnerable adult refusing to perform essential self-care tasks due to physical or mental disability.
Do not hesitate to ask questions and demand answers if you suspect any form of abuse or neglect. We also encourage you to reach out to our knowledgeable Cheyenne nursing home abuse attorney to talk about what your loved one is experiencing and learn how we can help.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in Cheyenne Nursing Homes
Different kinds of abuse can have different signs. Some of the most common signs of neglect and abuse include:
- Physical abuse: Broken eyeglasses, fractures and other injuries, unexplained cuts or bruises
- Sexual abuse: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), torn underwear, or bleeding, bruising, or infections in genital areas
- Psychological abuse: Depression, withdrawal, self-injurious behavior, and fear of talking around certain staff members or other residents
- Neglect: Pressure ulcers (bedsores), dirty clothing, poor personal hygiene, and unclean living conditions
- Financial exploitation: Large cash withdrawals, sudden changes to estate planning documents, forged signatures on checks, treasured valuables missing, etc.
It is possible that some residents could be the victims of multiple forms of abuse, so be sure to watch for any signs that something isn’t right with your loved one when you visit the facility. Take all complaints and concerns seriously, and always be on alert for any potential signs of abuse.
What to Do If You Suspect Abuse or Neglect in Cheyenne
- Take action immediately. If your loved one is in immediate danger or if their life is being threatened, call 911 immediately. Don’t wait until they have been hurt. Even the threat of harm against your loved one will warrant involvement by law enforcement.
- Save any evidence. If you have proof of abuse, preserve the evidence. This could include clothing that your loved one was wearing, eyewitness statements, photos of the facility, and medical records that can prove abuse. Also save any communication with the nursing home facility about the abuse, such as emails or written reports.
- Report the abuse. Wyoming law requires any person who knows of abuse or has reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult is being or has been abused to report the information immediately to a law enforcement agency or DFS. A report can be made orally or in writing, and DFS will notify law enforcement and can request assistance from appropriate health or mental health agencies after receiving the report.
Anyone concerned about possible abuse or neglect can also contact the Wyoming Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP). An ombudsman can provide you with information about your situation that may allow you to act on your own, but the ombudsman can also advocate for you or your loved one and mediate to achieve a possible solution. The LTCOP does not take any action without the consent of a resident or their legal representation.
- Get legal help. Even if you reported the abuse and a state investigation has commenced, you should still speak with Cheyenne nursing home neglect attorney Sean Olson to learn about your rights and legal options. A state investigation can take a long time, but our team can begin working to protect your loved one immediately and start building a case for full and fair financial compensation.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Elder Abuse in Cheyenne?
The services that nursing homes provide to their residents, including providing medical care, shelter, food, and hygiene, means that they owe them a strict duty of care. The nursing home facility could be held responsible for abuse, injury, and neglect stemming from:
- Negligent hiring (including failure to perform background checks)
- Negligent training of staff
- Failure to supervise and monitor staff
- Intentional abuse on the part of staff members
- Failure to provide adequate security to protect residents from harm
- Failure to address health and safety hazards
- Failure to provide food, water, and other daily necessities
- Failure to provide adequate medical care
- Imposing unnecessary or harmful physical restraints
Nursing homes are not always the defendants in all of these cases, though. Some cases could involve abusive actions by third parties, possibly non-residents who have access to the facilities. Other nursing home injuries could stem from a contracted party not properly maintaining essential equipment or medical products being defectively manufactured or designed.
Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse Victims and Families
The insurance company for the nursing home involved in your case may try to settle as quickly as possible after the abuse has been discovered. However, the insurer will do everything possible to minimize their payout, so you should not attempt to negotiate any settlement without an attorney.
Sean Olson and his team can help you negotiate toward a full and fair settlement to your case, but as a skilled trial attorney, Sean will also be prepared to move forward with a nursing home abuse lawsuit if the insurer does not make an acceptable offer. If your case goes to court, Sean will present your loved one’s compelling story to the jury and argue for maximum compensation.
Compensation in a nursing home abuse claim can include payment for:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
In extreme cases, a victim may be awarded punitive damages (also known as exemplary damages or vindictive damages) if the defendant engaged in “circumstances involving outrageous conduct,” such as intentional harm or malice.
How a Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer in Cheyenne Can Help
- Start with a free consultation. The first thing our team will do is sit down with you for a free consultation. We will take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and review any evidence you have collected so far.
- Independently investigating your claim. Although the state will be conducting an investigation into reports of abuse or neglect, our team will immediately begin collecting evidence in order to prove a nursing home’s negligence and help identify all of the liable parties. We can also act as a liaison between your family and state investigators so you do not have to keep checking on the status of their case.
- Taking the pressure off you. When our nursing home abuse lawyer in Cheyenne is handling your case, you can trust that we will handle all of the investigatory legwork so you can focus on removing your loved one from the harmful situation. When you attempt to handle a nursing home abuse case without a lawyer, it can be challenging to get a nursing home to enact the necessary changes. However, our legal team will aggressively push to make sure that the proper action is taken.
- Ensuring all deadlines are met. Our knowledgeable nursing home abuse attorney will also make sure that you meet important legal deadlines that will be vital to your case. People only have a limited amount of time to take legal action in cases involving personal injury or wrongful death, so our team will work quickly and efficiently to preserve your right to file a claim within the statute of limitations.
Talk to a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Cheyenne Now
If you discover that your loved one was abused in a nursing home in Cheyenne, you have a right to be angry and demand that justice be served. The Olson Law Firm, LLC will help you get answers and protect your loved one and other vulnerable residents. Together, we will send a message that abuse of the elderly will not be tolerated in our community.
The Olson Law Firm, LLC has an office on Capitol Avenue in downtown Cheyenne, but we can travel to meet with you wherever is most convenient. Please call us at (720) 730-9996 or contact us online to receive a free consultation.
Cheyenne Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
How do I report nursing home abuse?
For immediate help, reach out to Denver personal injury lawyer Sean Olson today
It Is Critical to Report Nursing Home Abuse
Moving your aging parent or vulnerable loved one into an assisted living facility in Colorado can be tough.
You expect that they will receive the best level of care, but this is always true.
In far too many cases, nursing homes fail to live up to their most basic legal responsibilities.
Nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect are both serious problems in the United States.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), nearly 10 percent of nursing residents face some form of mistreatment.
This could include physical abuse, emotional abuse, dangerous neglect, and sexual exploitation.
If you believe that your loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect, it is crucial that you take immediate action to protect them.
Their health, safety, and psychological well being are at risk.
Reporting Nursing Home Abuse in Colorado:
Moving your aging parent or vulnerable loved one into an assisted living facility in Colorado can be tough. You expect that they will receive the best level of care, but this is always true. In far too many cases, nursing homes fail to live up to their most basic legal responsibilities. Nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect are both serious problems in the United States.
The NCEA reports that nearly 10 percent of nursing residents face some form of mistreatment. This could include physical abuse, emotional abuse, dangerous neglect, and sexual exploitation. If you believe that your loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect, it is crucial that you take immediate action to protect them. Their health, safety, and psychological well being are at risk.
Notify the Appropriate State Authorities
Under Colorado law, you must report nursing home abuse and to state officials. These officials will conduct a comprehensive investigation into any claims of elder abuse. It is important that you report the problem early. Do not let it persist. In Colorado, you can reach out to the Colorado Nursing Home Administrators Board or your local Adult Protective Services office. If you have any questions about how to get in touch with the appropriate office, you can also call the National Council on Aging (NCOA) at 1-800-677-1116. A representative will be able to connect you to a local office.
Be Ready to Seek Emergency Assistance
There are some cases in which the state’s bureaucracy may be too slow to provide the immediate support and protection that your loved one needs. While you should always report nursing home abuse or neglect, please also remember that in an emergency situation you should never hesitate to call 911. If your vulnerable loved one is in danger in a nursing home, they need to get the immediate medical treatment and protection.
Get Help From a Denver Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
Alerting the authorities of suspected nursing home abuse is an important way to get help. However, it is just that: the first step. To hold the nursing home liable for their misconduct, you should seek guidance from a lawyer. It’s important to find someone experienced in these types of cases. Your lawyer will be able to review your case and explain all of your available options to you. Then, they can help initiate a civil claim. That way you can seek financial compensation for your loved one and your family.
The Olson Law Firm, LLC takes pride in our ability to provide strong advocacy for victims of nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect. We will listen to your story and make sure that you have a voice so that you can get justice. The abuse needs to stop, we can’t allow it to happen again. Your family deserves full compensation. To get help now, please contact our law office for a free, fully confidential initial consultation.
What is nursing home abuse?
Nursing home abuse demands immediate action. If you or a loved one is a victim, please reach out to a personal injury attorney who specializes in nursing home abuse today.
Nursing home abuse is a serious problem in the United States.
According to The Denver Post, there are about 17,500 cases of elder abuse or neglect reported in Colorado each year.
In addition, public safety experts believe that nursing home abuse is chronically underreported.
The real problem is likely far worse. A study from the Cornell Medical Center found that the overwhelming majority of nursing home abuse claims are never reported at all.
Sean Explains Nursing Home Abuse:
Nursing home abuse can take many forms. It can be physical abuse. It can be emotional abuse. Sometimes, it can even be sexual abuse. It can also be the result of pure neglect. It’s important if you feel like someone you love is the victim of nursing home abuse to sit down and listen to them, so that you’re able to make decisions with them about how to proceed.
If you believe someone is the victim of nursing home abuse, sometimes it’s necessary to speak to an attorney who’s experienced in how claims like that work. The attorneys of Olson Law Firm, LLC are experienced in claims from nursing home abuse and we know where to look and what to look for in order to make sure that justice is done and someone who’s the victim of nursing home abuse gets the compensation that they deserve. Most importantly, that the people who inflicted the abuse in the first place aren’t allowed to do it again.
Identifying Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can take a wide range of different forms.
In some cases, the victims suffer physical injuries. In other cases, mistreatment leads to severe emotional trauma.
Neglect can also lead to a devastating medical condition. If your vulnerable loved one currently lives in an assisted living facility, it is crucial that you have a basic understanding of the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect.
If you suspect any type of problem, you need to take immediate action to protect the health and wellbeing of your loved one.
Five Categories of Nursing Home Abuse
- Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is one of the most common and horrifying types of nursing home abuse. In too many cases, staff members cause serious injuries to vulnerable nursing home residents either intentionally or by negligent handling. - Psychological Abuse
Psychological abuse can be just as devastating as physical abuse. In the very worst cases, it can even be deadly. This type of abuse occurs in many different ways, from verbal threats or intimidation to intentional neglect or other types of poor treatment. - Caregiver Neglect
Nursing home residents deserve attentive care at all times. Unfortunately, far too many residents face consistent neglect. This can lead to serious physical injuries, major medical complications, and devastating emotional trauma. Dehydration, malnourishment, fall accidents, and poor hygiene are all potential consequences of nursing home neglect. - Sexual Misconduct
Tragically, sexual misconduct is also a problem in assisted living facilities. Vulnerable people deserve protection from predation. Sexual assault should never occur in an assisted living center. - Financial Exploitation
Finally, far too many nursing home residents become victims of financial exploitation. Sadly, unscrupulous staff and scammers sometimes attempt to take advantage of vulnerable people, stealing money, credit cards, and other valuables.
Protect Your Loved One From Nursing Home Abuse
If you suspect that your loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home, you need to take action. In an emergency situation, you should contact the authorities immediately. You may need to call 911. Under Colorado law, you must report nursing home abuse. To help you protect your rights and the rights of your loved one, you should consult with an experienced Colorado nursing home abuse lawyer.
At Olson Law Firm, LLC, our legal team has deep experience handling nursing home neglect cases. Our compassionate Denver nursing home abuse lawyer Sean Olson is standing by, ready to fight for the legal rights and financial interests of your family. We commit to getting you justice and holding the negligent facility accountable. For a free, fully confidential consultation, please do not hesitate to contact us today.