Boulder Elder Abuse and Neglect Lawyer

Protecting Vulnerable Seniors from Abuse and Neglect in Boulder

Elder abuse is a hidden crisis affecting millions of seniors. Unfortunately, many of its victims are too vulnerable to speak out, so years can pass before anyone uncovers the situation. If you are being abused, or if you are a concerned friend or family member, now is the time to act. Contact The Ferrell Law Firm, PLLC today to speak with a Boulder elder abuse and neglect lawyer. We can discuss what is happening and then strategize ways to respond, including filing a possible lawsuit.

What Is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is any type of intentional act to harm an elderly person. This abuse can take many forms:

Physical Abuse

Examples include kicking, punching, slapping, pinching, or smothering. Physical abuse can also consist of denying a senior food or water to the point they become dehydrated or malnourished.

Chemical restraint is also a type of physical abuse. A nursing home might give a resident psychotropic drugs without medical reason simply to restrain them.

Watch for the following red flags:

• Unexplained bruises, scratches, or marks on a loved one.
• Trips to the emergency room or hospital.
• Dehydration or sudden weight loss.
• Extreme fearfulness.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse of the elderly is shocking. Nonetheless, countless seniors suffer quietly.

Examples of sexual abuse include:

• Rape
• Groping
• Sexual assault
• Sexual humiliation, such as stripping an elderly person naked and recording them

There are many red flags, including bruising around the anus or genitals, as well as a sexually transmitted disease. Other signs are more subtle, such as an elderly person who reverts to childlike behavior, including thumb sucking.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Not all abuse is physical. Some seniors are emotionally abused by caregivers. This abuse can take many forms:

• Name calling
• Intentional humiliation
• Isolating a senior from friends and family
• Convincing an elderly person they are “crazy” or imagining things

Financial Abuse

Some seniors are abused financially. They are the victims of identity theft, or their caretakers steal money from them. The elderly victim is usually powerless to stop this abuse.

Some red flags to watch for include:

• Bounced checks from the senior’s bank account.
• Calls from creditors and collections agencies about unpaid bills.
• Missing valuables, such as jewelry.
• Unexplained new lines of credit opened in the senior’s name.

Elder Neglect

Neglect differs from abuse in one important way: neglect is unintentional. Nonetheless, a neglected elderly person can suffer significant injuries when they are not properly watched or cared for.

For example, a neglected senior might wander away from their home or nursing facility and fall or get lost. They might suffer broken bones or a concussion in a fall.

Neglect can also lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and poor hygiene. A senior might develop pressure ulcers, also called bed sores, because they are not repositioned in bed regularly.

Abandonment is an extreme form of neglect. Caretakers might leave the home and not tell anyone, forcing a vulnerable senior to try and care for themselves. An abandoned senior can struggle to get enough food or medication.

Some signs of neglect include:

• Poor hygiene
• Unclean room or home
• Bed sores
• Weight loss

If you suspect a senior is being neglected, then increase the number of times you visit. You might realize that your loved one is left alone for long stretches of time.

How The Ferrell Law Firm Can Help

Our Boulder elder neglect lawyer can help anyone who is suffering. Our objective is twofold: to keep your loved one safe, while also seeking accountability from the person or institution harming the victim.

If you call, we can help with an investigation. Often, concerned children or other relatives suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected but they aren’t 100% sure. They are often afraid to make an accusation without solid proof. Maybe a sibling is taking care of Mom, and you don’t want to accuse them of neglect. Call us. Our firm can investigate, including visiting your loved one to assess the situation.

We can also seek to move a vulnerable victim from a dangerous situation. We might seek a transfer to a different long term care facility.

Can You Bring a Lawsuit for Elder Abuse or Neglect?

Our firm will also analyze whether to file a legal claim against the caretaker or a nursing home. We might seek damages for:

• Cost of medical care to treat the abuse or neglect.
• Pain and suffering.
• Mental anguish or psychological distress.
• Punitive damages for intentional malicious conduct.
• Other relief.

Schedule a Free Consultation with The Ferrell Law Firm

There is no excuse for elder abuse or neglect. Vulnerable seniors need quality care and compassion, and they deserve a passionate legal advocate in their corner who can protect their rights. Call 720-734-7939 to speak with our firm. We can meet to discuss your concerns.