Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Grand Junction

One of the hardest decisions we have to make for a family is whether or not to put an elderly family member in a nursing home. It’s a decision that is weighed and contemplated for a long time, and most of us do everything we can to avoid that. However, it’s truly the best and most ethical thing to do in some situations. After all, as we age, we may develop illnesses like Alzheimer’s or dementia, and we may become physically unable to care for ourselves. When it happens to our parents, we may not have the training needed to care for them the way the staff at a nursing home is.

What no one expects, however, is the abuse and neglect that happens in a place that you believe is providing safety and care for your loved one. The unfortunate truth is that nursing home abuse is a widespread issue not only in Colorado but in the entire country. At The Wilhite Law Firm, our experienced nursing home abuse lawyers help families in Grand Junction uncover the truth, protect their loved ones, and hold negligent care facilities accountable for the actions of their staff. Our team understands the laws that protect elderly residents, and we’ll fight to make sure your family receives the respect and compensation they deserve, whether the abuse is physical, emotional, or financial.

If your loved one has been neglected or abused in the nursing home you thought would be a safe haven for them, don’t wait. Call The Wilhite Law Firm at 970-579-4588 today or contact us online for a free consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer. 

Understanding Nursing Home Abuse

Placing a loved one in a nursing home comes with the hope that they will receive respectful and loving care. Unfortunately, many residents of nursing homes experience just the opposite of humane treatment. Instead, they face mistreatment from those who receive a paycheck to care for them.

Nursing home abuse can look different in every case. The most visible form of this abuse is physical harm. However, there are many forms of emotional abuse and financial exploitation as well.

For abuse to take place, a caretaker must intentionally mistreat or take advantage of a senior resident. On the other hand, nursing home neglect occurs when the facility’s staff fails to meet a resident’s basic needs, including hygiene, nutrition, or medical care. Both abuse and neglect can lead to serious harm and reduced quality of life for your loved one. In very tragic cases, these misbehaviors can also lead to wrongful death.

If you suspect your loved one is being abused, that abuse or neglect might take any of these forms:

• Physical abuse, such as hitting, pushing, or restraining
• Emotional and verbal abuse, such as threats, intimidation, manipulation, or isolation
• Sexual abuse, which includes any unwanted contact or exploitation
• Elder financial exploitation, which could be theft, fraud, or coercion
• Medical neglect, such as failing to administer medications or respond to health issues

Placing your loved one in a nursing home requires you to give a large amount of trust to the facility and its employees. For the nursing home to take advantage of that trust and harm your loved one in any way, either on purpose or as a result of neglect, is deplorable. A nursing home negligence claim or lawsuit can help you stand up for and protect your loved one. 

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Even if you don’t think your loved one is suffering abuse in a nursing home, it’s vital to know and understand the signs so that you can look out for them and act quickly to make sure your loved one suffers as little as possible. Visit your loved one often and develop relationships with the staff. When you visit, be on the lookout for the common signs of abuse, which include:

• Unexplained Injuries: This can include fractures and broken bones, but it’s also essential to look for more minor injuries like bruises and cuts.
• Changes in Mood: Sudden changes in your loved one’s demeanor, such as withdrawal or depression, can be signs of emotional abuse in elder care.
• Physical Changes: Poor hygiene, weight loss, and bedsores can all be indicators of nursing home neglect.
• Medication Changes: If you notice that your loved one is being overmedicated or lacking necessary prescriptions, this can be a sign of medical neglect.
• Unexplained Fear: A fear of specific staff members can be a sign that those staff are abusing your loved one.
• Suspicious Financial Transactions: Elder financial abuse is a common form of abuse since the nursing home typically has complete control over the finances of the residents. It’s essential to review their finances from time to time to make sure all transactions are appropriate.

In most cases, you are your loved one’s first line of defense. If you suspect any abuse, speak up immediately and report the situation to the authorities. Be sure to document everything you see and hear, and contact a nursing home injury lawyer if your loved one has been harmed as a result of abuse or neglect. 

Legal Options for Families of Nursing Home Abuse Victims

Elder abuse is one of the most tragic and deplorable kinds of abuse there is. The good news is that if your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect at the hands of a nursing home or long-term care facility, you have the right to take legal action. According to Colorado law, families of nursing home abuse victims have the right to take legal action against the facility responsible for the abuse or neglect. You can pursue a nursing home negligence lawsuit to recover compensation for:

• Medical Expenses
• Pain and Suffering
• Emotional Trauma
• Loss of Quality of Life
• Wrongful Death Compensation

There are some cases in which you can also seek punitive damages. Punitive damages aren’t meant to compensate the injured person, but to punish the party that caused the harm. To be eligible to request punitive damages, the injured person would have had to suffer abuse caused by willful harm or gross negligence.

An attorney will investigate the details of your case to find out if this applies to your loved one. Whether the abuse is physical, emotional, or financial, you and your loved one deserve justice. 

Why Choose The Wilhite Law Firm?

At The Wilhite Law Firm, we understand the heartbreak and anger you feel when you discover the abuse your loved one is suffering in a nursing home. More than that, we know the trauma your loved one has faced while they were defenseless. That’s why our Grand Junction nursing home abuse lawyers are dedicated to helping families find answers and get justice. We offer:

• Focused Experience: We’ve handled elder abuse and nursing home injury claims in Grand Junction and elsewhere in Colorado since 1977.
• Compassionate approach: We’ll treat your case with care, urgency, and respect. We listen to our clients to learn the full effects of the abuse on the family.
• Aggressive approach: We will fight for full and fair elder abuse compensation. If no appropriate settlement can be reached, we’ll be prepared to take your case to trial.
• No upfront costs: You don’t pay anything upfront, and you’ll owe no legal fees unless we secure compensation for you.

Don’t let abuse go unanswered. If you suspect that your loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse, do something. Call our Grand Junction nursing home abuse attorneys today and let us fight for your loved one’s dignity. Contact us online or call 970-579-4588 for a free, no obligation consultation.