Do you want to file a complaint about a nursing home? There are several reasons you may want to do so. There are also several ways to file a complaint about an Ohio nursing home. These are explained below.

But remember, your statements to the state of Ohio may not be confidential. They could potentially pose a problem for a future lawsuit. If you would like to discuss your issues before you make your complaint or would like an attorney to review your complaint form, complete the contact information at the bottom of the page or call (216) 777-8856 to schedule an appointment.

Who Handles Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Claims In Ohio?

In Ohio, the Department of Health handles nursing home abuse complaints. Specifically, a unit has been created to process and investigate claims of abuse and neglect. The Bureau of Survey and Certification -Complaint Unit handles various forms of healthcare related complaints. 

The Department of Health’s website states the following: 

ODH strives to ensure that Ohioans residing in or utilizing regulated health care entities in Ohio are provided a safe environment and high quality of care. The Complaint Unit assists this effort by helping to ensure participating health care providers continually meet Medicare/Medicaid and state requirements by referring all complaints to the appropriate ODH regional offices or to other state agencies for investigation.  A complaint investigation is unannounced and the identity of the complainant and resident(s) are never divulged. The Complaint Unit utilizes a computer program that provides an effective provides for the processing complaints received from initial contact through intake and investigation to close-out.

Complaints are investigated by the Bureau of Survey and Certification using the survey process of that specific provider type. The complaint survey is a partial survey of the specific nature of the complaint as it relates to the federal regulations and/or the state rules and regulations. The bureau has two regional offices throughout Ohio that maintain staff for the actual investigation.

Nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious issue that more and more nursing home residents experience. If you suspect that your loved one has experienced, was injured, or killed due to the actions of a nursing home, it is important to know how and where to report it. It is also important to know your options and evaluate them with caution. 

Complete the Form

You can also make a complaint by completing Form (HEA 1685). We have provided the official form below for your convenience. Once you download the form, complete it and submit as discussed below.

Email

You can email your completed complaint form to HCComplaints@odh.ohio.gov.

Mail

Mail your completed complaint form to ODH, PCSU, 246 N. High Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215.

Fax

You can also fax your complaint if it is fewer than 10 pages long. Fax your complaint to 614-728-9169 or 614-564-2422.

Call the hotline

The state of Ohio has a hotline you can call if you need to make a complaint about an Ohio nursing home. To make a complaint, call (800) 342-0553. A live person should be available between the hours of 8AM to 5PM. A staff person who works for the state of Ohio should be available to take your call.

A voicemail is available after hours.

What types of facilities can I file a complaint about?

You can submit a complaint about many different kinds of facilities, including the following types.

  • Home Health Agency
  • Residential Care Facility (aka Assisted Living Facility)
  • Skilled Nursing Facility
  • Nursing Home

I’d like an attorney to review my complaint

Remember, your complaint to the state of Ohio is not confidential! If you are thinking that you may need to file a lawsuit in the future because of abuse or neglect, we strongly recommend that you speak to an attorney first. If you would like to discuss your complaint or have an Ohio Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer review your complaint before it is submitted, complete the contact information at the bottom of the page.

Our Team

Attorney William Eadie

I am a trial lawyer who helps families hurt by caregiver carelessness–such as nursing homes and hospitals–and hold the wrongdoers accountable. I understand how the business of medicine can harm people, when corporations put their own profits ahead of providing quality care. . .  keep reading]

Attorney Michael Hill

I am a trial attorney who takes on hospitals and other medical corporations when they choose to put their own profits ahead of their patient’s safety. My practice is focused on medical negligence and wrongful death, primarily delayed diagnosis and treatment of heart attacks and strokes, as well as birth injuries. . .  keep reading 
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Find the Right Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers for You

Nursing homes are regulated by federal and state regulations that most personal injury lawyers know nothing about.

If you're looking to take on a nursing home, you need a lawyer who knows those rules.

We exclusively handle medical claims, with a focus on nursing home abuse and neglect. We've tried these cases and obtained millions in damages at trial. 100% our cases involve the failure to provide appropriate hospital, medical, and nursing care to members of the community.

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We advance the costs of the investigation and lawsuit.  We only get paid from money we collect in a settlement of verdict: there’s never a bill to you.

By taking on all the risk, you can be sure we’re only going to take on cases we believe in fully.

What Can We Do to Improve Nursing Home Conduct?

Nursing Homes are corporations: they speak the language of money.  Corporations, even non-profit corporations, are not real people; they do not have hearts, minds, or souls.

In our experience, holding a medical corporation responsible and accountable for carelessly injuring patients through a money verdict at trial, or a settlement motivated by their fear of trial, is the best way to make sure there is change.

A well-fought lawsuit can help prevent other people from being injured in the same way.

What Damages are Available?

Money damages available in a nursing home lawsuit can involve economic costs (medical bills, etc.), emotional harms like pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability, and, if the injuries cause death, the mental anguish and loss of family members for wrongful death.

Many states allow for punitive damages when a medical corporation consciously disregards a patient’s rights and safety with a great probability of causing substantial harm. They are awarded in exceptional cases.

We’ve proven punitive damages at trial, including a $3,000,000 verdict for punitive damages against one of the largest medical companies in America.

Punitive damages are intended to punish, deter the defendant from doing the same thing in the future, and reform the nursing home industry.

What Else Can I do Besides Contacting You?

Once you contact us, you'll get a list of next steps, as well as emails explaining how the process works.  So contact us now, or call us at 216-777-8856.

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