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Denver Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

As life expectancy continues to increase, more elderly people in the U.S. need to transition from living independently to assisted living facilities or nursing homes. This is an emotional decision. Adult children do everything they can to make sure their parents are living in a safe environment with properly trained individuals to care for them.

Unfortunately, no matter how thoroughly one researches a facility, nursing home abuse or neglect can occur. News headlines regularly report on despicable treatment that elderly residents of are subjected to, including malnutrition, physical abuse, psychological abuse or complete neglect for injuries or illness.

The ramifications of nursing home neglect can be serious or even fatal. If you are the victim of nursing home neglect or you suspect a loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect, it is important to act immediately. The Viorst Law Offices, P.C., in Denver, will guide you through the necessary steps to report nursing home neglect and pursue a lawsuit against the responsible parties.

Signs Of Neglect

Neglect in nursing home care occurs in many different forms. Most facilities are privately owned and management may be more concerned about profits and keeping expenses low than providing properly trained caretakers or staffing sufficiently so employees are not overworked.

Some instances of neglect can be difficult to identify. Some signs that may raise concern are:

Unexplained bruises or abrasions
Bedsores
Unexplained falls
A loved one reports he or she is restrained unnecessarily
Weight loss or loss of appetite
Loss of energy or mental acuity
Isolation or other drastic changes in behavior
Inattention to personal hygiene
Unsanitary conditions, including dirty bathrooms, hallways, dining halls or kitchen

What Is The Difference Between Nursing Home Abuse And Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect are similar in the sense that both can lead to significant harm to an elderly individual. From the outside, for family members who are just seeing the ramifications, symptoms may seem the same. Someone may have physical injuries, for example, that can’t be explained. They may become withdrawn or go through other emotional or mental changes.

However, there is a significant difference between the two, and it revolves around the role of intent. Abuse is something done intentionally, whereas neglect simply comes from a lack of proper care. Another way to think of it is like this:

With nursing home abuse, the perpetrator willfully inflicts an injury on the elderly person. They may also intimidate them, punish them, unreasonably confine them or intentionally cause mental anguish.
With nursing home neglect, the staff members are simply failing to provide the necessary services to help the elderly person avoid harm. They may not be giving them the proper care and assistance that they need.

Neglect often results in physical harm, but it’s not something that’s being done to the person intentionally.

For example, if a caretaker pushes an elderly person and they fall down and break their hip, it’s clearly an example of nursing home abuse. But if an elderly person needs help taking a shower and the caregiver simply doesn’t provide it, leading to a slip-and-fall accident that results in a broken hip, it’s an example of neglect.

What Type Of Abuse Can Occur?

The above focuses on physical abuse, but this is only one type that may be suffered. People in nursing homes can also suffer from financial abuse, such as being manipulated or coerced into giving payments to caregivers. In some cases, people also suffer from sexual abuse, especially if they have physical or mental disabilities that make it difficult for them to defend themselves or make a report.

What Can You Do?

If you believe your loved one has been suffering from any type of abuse or neglect, you may need to contact the authorities, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment or the Colorado Long-Term Care Ombudsman. You may also want to make a report to the nursing home operator. It can help to have the guidance of an experienced attorney at this time.

Protecting Vulnerable Seniors In Denver And Aurora

Families in the Front Range rely on nursing homes to support their vulnerable loved ones. As demand for long-term care services has increased, the number of nursing homes and similar facilities has also grown. Unfortunately, not all of them adhere to current best care standards, resulting in a noticeable increase in the number of nursing home negligence claims in the area.

Whether you need a nursing home abuse lawyer in Denver or guidance from an Aurora-area nursing home neglect attorney, knowledge about the local market and local care standards can make all the difference as you seek justice on behalf of a loved one. We adept at navigating the nuances of the regional health care system and working with complex medical records to identify the difference between standard age-related decline and neglicence. Especially in cases where the abuse or neglect was serious enough to warrant a report to Denver Adult Protective Services, your family may need the support of The Viorst Law Offices, P.C., as our team understands local standards and has the experience you need to pursue justice for negligent care.

How The 2026 Damage Cap Increases Affect Nursing Home Litigation

As of January 1st, 2026, the legal caps for non-economic damages and wrongful death damages have increased. Under House Bill 24-1472, malpractice plaintiffs can now receive up to $530,000 in non-economic damages for pain and suffering, as well as emotional distress.

If families must take legal action after nursing home negligence leads to the premature passing of a loved one, the maximum amount of compensation available is now $810,000. The law also requires the review and adjustment of those amounts every two years to ensure that plaintiffs have access to fair compensation based on overall economic factors.

Trustworthy Representation When Supporting Local Facilities

Front Range long-term care facilities must meet all national standards while adhering to all state guidelines as well. If your loved one endured negligent care at a small, locally-owned nursing home in Fort Worth or financial abuse at a large care center in Denver, you can seek justice on their behalf.

We have experience accessing and reviewing the complex records maintained by care facilities. We can help determine whether a care facility deviated from care standards. Documentation can help show that advanced bedsores, fall injuries and other medical issues were the result of neglect, not typically age-related decline.

You can trust us to respect the gravity of the situation and to act assertively on behalf of your family to pursue the maximum amount of compensation under the new caps.

Ready To Advocate For You

If you are concerned about the care an elderly spouse, parent or other relative is receiving, do not hesitate to act. Attorney Anthony J. Viorst will review the facts that have raised concerns and provide a candid assessment. If there is cause to file a lawsuit, Mr. Viorst will guide you through the process and build the strongest possible case. We can seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering from the loss of a loved one and more.

We represent families and individuals in metro Denver and throughout Colorado. Act promptly and schedule a free consultation with a lawyer who provides personalized attention with concern and compassion. Call 303-872-5712 or use our online contact form to schedule a meeting.