Foster Care Abuse Attorney in Colorado
If you or your child has been abused in foster care, contact us today for a free and confidential consultation. Our experienced lawyers are here to help you seek justice.
Foster Care Abuse and Child Welfare Civil Rights
Foster care is intended to provide children with a temporary, safe, and nurturing environment after authorities remove them from their families due to allegations of abuse or neglect. Unfortunately, the foster care system often fails to protect these vulnerable children. Instead, foster parents, other children, or staff at group care placements—people responsible for their well-being—harm them. These failures violate the law and children’s civil rights.
As foster care abuse lawyers, we fight for children harmed in the child welfare system. Our mission is to hold the individuals and institutions responsible accountable and secure justice for every child.
Why choose ALM Law
As experienced foster care abuse attorneys, we are dedicated to helping vulnerable youth who have suffered foster care abuse in Colorado seek justice. We understand the child welfare system inside and out, approaching every case with a trauma-informed perspective. Whether the case involves foster care sexual abuse, physical abuse, or discrimination, we fight relentlessly to ensure those responsible face consequences.
- Proven Advocacy in Foster Care Abuse Cases: With years of experience in foster care abuse cases, our attorneys know how to effectively advocate for children harmed in the system.
- Holistic and Trauma-Informed Approach: We understand the complexities of trauma and prioritize compassionate, client-centered representation in every case.
- Comprehensive Legal Support: From initial investigations to litigation and appeals, our team of foster care abuse lawyers provides steadfast advocacy at every stage of the legal process.
Cases We Handle as Foster Care Abuse Attorneys
At ALM Law, we are dedicated to helping victims of foster care abuse and foster care sexual abuse seek justice and pursue legal action against those responsible. The specific cases we handle are outlined below.
Foster Home Abuse
When children are removed from their homes, they are sometimes placed in foster homes. While some foster families provide a safe environment, others put children at risk. In some cases, foster parents or others in the home subject children to foster care sexual abuse or physical abuse. As foster care abuse attorneys, we know how the system operates and how to hold the right people accountable. This includes investigating who licensed the foster home and who was responsible for monitoring it.
Foster Care Abuse in Congregate Care
Colorado places hundreds of children in congregate care, also known as group care. These placements include emergency shelters, group homes, residential treatment facilities, and psychiatric residential treatment facilities. Some of these facilities are located in Colorado, while others are out of state. Too often, children in foster care suffer abuse in these placements. For instance, they may experience foster care sexual abuse at the hands of staff, service providers, and other residents.
We also represent children in foster care residential facilities whose constitutional or federal statutory rights have been violated. This includes the unlawful use of restraints (such as chemical restraints or “booty juice”), prolonged isolation in seclusion rooms, denial of necessary medical treatment, and disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.
Cases like these require a foster care abuse attorney with deep knowledge of the system to navigate the complex legal process and take legal action against those responsible.
We take on cases against some of the most notorious organizations that operate congregate care facilities, including Sequel Youth & Family Services, Vivant Behavioral Healthcare, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, Universal Health Services, and Acadia Healthcare. To learn more about the systemic abuse in these facilities, read the Senate Committee report Warehouses of Neglect: How Taxpayers Are Funding Systemic Abuse in Youth Residential Treatment Facilities.
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Who We Sue
In Colorado, we file lawsuits against the child welfare agencies and private companies who license abusive foster homes and operate unsafe group homes, residential treatment centers, and psychiatric residential treatment facilities. When these entities fail to protect vulnerable youth, the consequences can be devastating—and we take action to seek justice.
When these agencies and companies fail to protect children or enable foster care abuse, they must be held accountable. As foster care abuse lawyers, we take legal action against those responsible—whether government-run agencies or private organizations managing care facilities—to seek justice for the children harmed.
If you or a loved one has been affected by institutional abuse or neglect, we are here to help. Our team, led by a skilled foster care abuse attorney, is dedicated to helping victims pursue justice and seek the compensation they deserve.
Foster Care in Colorado: Understanding the System and Its Challenges
Colorado’s foster care system is state-supervised but county-administered. The Colorado Department of Human Services Division of Child Welfare sets policies and oversees county offices, which manage local foster care programs. County agencies may either directly handle child welfare services, such as licensing foster homes, or contract them out to private companies.
This decentralized system leads to significant differences in the quality of care across counties, depending on agency practices and contractor oversight. While some agencies prioritize child safety, others fail to provide adequate protection and care. When negligence, lack of oversight, or poor hiring and training result in harm, children can suffer foster care abuse and neglect.
At ALM Law, we understand the complexities of Colorado’s foster care system and are committed to holding county agencies and private companies accountable when they fail to protect children.
Advocating for Victims of Foster Care Abuse
At ALM Law, we fight for children and young people who have experienced abuse, neglect, and mistreatment in the foster care system. Whether you or a loved one is still in foster care or has recently aged out, our foster care abuse attorneys are here to provide legal support and pursue justice against those responsible.
Time is critical—strict deadlines limit how long you have to take legal action, often just a few years after turning 18. Our team of foster care abuse lawyers understands the complexities of these cases and is ready to guide you through every step of the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a foster care abuse lawyer and how can they help me?
A foster care abuse attorney represents children who have suffered abuse, neglect, or discrimination in the foster care system. They investigate claims, take legal action against those responsible, and seek compensation for the harms children have endured.
What should I do if I suspect abuse in a foster home in Colorado?
If you suspect abuse in a foster home, it’s important to act quickly. Document any signs of abuse, including physical injuries, behavioral changes, or indications of emotional distress. Report your concerns to local authorities or a child welfare agency. To better understand how to proceed when abuse in a foster home is identified, consult a foster care abuse attorney who focuses on helping victims of foster care abuse.
How can a foster care sexual abuse lawyer help victims of institutional abuse?
A foster care sexual abuse lawyer advocates for children who have suffered sexual abuse in group homes, residential facilities, or psychiatric residential treatment facilities. They also work to drive systemic changes that help prevent future abuse.
What are the time limits for filing a lawsuit for foster care abuse in Colorado?
In Colorado, victims of foster care abuse have limited time to file a lawsuit. These statutes of limitations often extend only up to a few years past the victim’s 18th birthday. Acting quickly is essential—consult a foster care abuse attorney to understand your rights and ensure your claim is filed on time.
What makes your foster care abuse lawyers different?
Our foster care abuse attorneys bring years of experience and a trauma-informed approach to every case. We have a proven track record of investigating abuse in the foster care system, taking legal action against those responsible, and seeking justice for survivors with compassion and dedication.
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