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.