Denver Elder Abuse Attorney

Nursing Home Justice Helps Victims of Elder Abuse

When negligent nursing homes take advantage of you or your loved one’s weakened condition, you need an experienced attorney to help you recover financial compensation. Nursing Home Justice understands how these cases work and will gather solid evidence that supports your claim.

Our lead attorney, Mac Hester, has 35+ years of legal experience. He will give your case the attention it deserves and handle all the details personally.

Contact Nursing Home Justice Today – (970) 493-1866

What is Elder Abuse in Denver Nursing Homes?

Elder abuse involves any form of physical, sexual, financial, or emotional abuse or neglect committed by nursing homes and their staff members against residents who are 60+ years old. This has long been a national issue. The World Health Organization stated that 1 in 6 people 60 years and older experienced some form of elder abuse in a community setting within the past year.

Further, a staggering 64.2% of staff reported that they committed abuse in the past year. These abuse rates are expected to rise as nations experience increased aging populations.

Despite these statistics, it’s still hard to grasp the true extent of elder abuse in nursing homes since many incidents go unreported. Fear of retaliation was cited as the primary reason residents failed to report their abusers.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the nation began to gain an understanding of the epidemic of elder abuse in the United States, with research suggesting that rates of abuse in communities and institutions increased by as much as 84%.

In 2022, the impact of nursing home abuse reached the steps of Washington, and the Biden Administration finally put a plan in motion to keep nursing home residents safe, stating that “for far too long, nursing home residents have been victims of an industry with little accountability to keep American seniors safe and protected.” The recognition of this issue offers a glimmer of hope for the many suffering in nursing homes nationwide.

Types of Elder Abuse

Data suggests that elderly nursing home residents experience one or more of the following types of abuse:

• Psychological/Emotional Abuse – This includes actions such as verbal threats, isolation, name-calling, and intimidation. According to the WHO, this is the most common form of abuse reported by adults.
• Physical Abuse – This involves any direct physical assault on a resident — hitting, punching, pushing, or kicking.
• Financial Abuse – Adults 60+ years old are often victims of financial abuse. Nursing homes might overcharge for their services, charge victims twice for the same service, or staff members might simply steal cash and credit cards from residents’ personal belongings.
• Neglect – Although this doesn’t fall under “abuse,” neglect involves a lack of care. Residents living in overworked and understaffed nursing homes could suffer from poor hygiene, malnutrition, and depression.
• Sexual Abuse – According to the data gathered by the WHO, sexual abuse was the least reported form of elder abuse. This percentage could be much higher because of underreported incidents. Sexual abuse involves any unwanted sexualized behavior, like taking pictures of residents undressing, inappropriate touching, or rape.

Who’s Most at Risk for Elder Abuse?

Although elder abuse can happen to anyone, some individuals are more vulnerable than others, including:

• Alzheimer’s/Dementia patients – These residents are among the most vulnerable in a nursing home simply because of their cognitive decline. They might not report abuse because they don’t remember that it occurred. Cognitively impaired residents are more likely to suffer financial abuse because staff members or deceitful relatives could force them to authorize payments they’ll soon forget.
• Residents with No Close Family – Residents are less likely to be abused if family members constantly check up on them. Even if abuse occurs, family members who keep close tabs on loved ones will notice a change in their mood or unexplained bruises. Trusted family members involved in a resident’s life also lower the chance of financial abuse if they maintain control of their loved one’s finances.
• Residents Who Require 24/7 Care – Some residents experience more challenges than others. They may require assistance with everyday activities, such as bathing, eating, and taking medication. Due to the constant contact between residents and their caregivers, these vulnerable individuals may face higher abuse rates. Further, residents may hesitate to report their abusers since they depend on them for daily assistance. Additionally, abusers might threaten retaliation if the resident reports the incident.

Signs of Elder Abuse

Even if a nursing home gives off a great first impression, you should always be on the lookout for signs that your loved one is in danger. These common warning signs of abuse include:

• Withdrawn behavior
• Unexplained bruises
• Sudden weight loss
• Changes in mood when around nursing home staff
• Sudden decline in health
• Mobility issues

Who’s At Fault for Elder Abuse?

There could be several parties at fault for your loved one’s abuse, including:

• Nursing Home Staff – Anxiety, exhaustion, and lack of supervision could contribute to staff members lashing out at residents.
• Nursing Home Facility – Nursing homes should enforce policies that protect residents and supervise other staff members to prevent abuse. The nursing home might be partially responsible if residents experience injuries due to abuse.
• Management Companies – Nursing home management companies must hire qualified staff and adequately train them. Failing to conduct a background check or understaffing a nursing home could put them at fault for the abuse
• Nursing Home Chain Entities – These large corporations oversee the smaller nursing home locations. These entities are often the head of the snake when it comes to nursing home abuse. They institute many cost-cutting policies that leave nursing homes understaffed and overcrowded with residents.

Nursing Homes in the Denver Area

There are several nursing homes in and around the Denver area. Here are some Denver nursing homes with the worst reviews:

• Promedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation (Denver)
• Sunrise at Cherry Creek
• Crestmoor Health and Rehabilitation
• Amberwood Court Rehabilitation and Care Community
• Brookdale Parkplace

What Compensation Can You Recover?

When you or your loved one suffers injuries from abuse in a Denver nursing home, you could recover the following damages:

• Physical pain
• Mental and emotional suffering
• Current and ongoing medical expenses
• Disfigurement
• Long-term care expenses

If the abuse caused your loved one’s untimely death, you could recover the following:

• Loss of financial support if the decedent was going to return to work after they recovered
• Funeral costs
• Grief, sorrow, loss of companionship

How Nursing Home Justice Helps You

At Nursing Home Justice, we’re passionate about caring for each client’s needs and gaining respect for your family. Here’s how our Colorado elder abuse lawyers help you recover:

• We’ll Meet to Hear Your Story – Rather than being concerned with a wide caseload, our lead attorney, Mac Hester, meets personally with each client to discuss their case. This client-centered approach ensures that you receive the highest quality representation.
• We’ll Conduct a Thorough Investigation – After we hear your story, we’ll get to work. We’ll obtain photos, eyewitness testimonies, and other evidence supporting your claim.
• We’ll Fight for Total Compensation – You may be behind in medical bills or struggling to get by after losing a loved one. We’ll help you recover the financial compensation you need to cover your losses.