It’s never too soon to report a nursing home you believe is abusing or neglecting your loved one. If you or someone dear has suffered at the hands of nursing home staff in Wisconsin, you can—and should—speak up. There are resources available, and speaking up is one of the most important steps you can take to make sure the problem doesn’t happen again.
When should you report a nursing home? Unfortunately, many people wait far too long to take action. No form of neglect or abuse in a nursing home is ever appropriate. Nursing home residents are entitled to quality care; and, when nursing home caregivers, staff, or administrators engage in inappropriate, wrongful, or harmful conduct, the nursing home can—and should—be held accountable.
The attorneys at Boller & Vaughan have substantial experience helping victims of nursing home abuse recover the justice and compensation they deserve. We have obtained some of the largest verdicts and settlements in Wisconsin. We understand the hardships you and your family may be facing and we are committed to helping you move forward with confidence and dignity.
In Wisconsin, nursing home residents and family members have three main ways to report a nursing home for neglect or abuse. These options are:
One option available to report a nursing home is to file a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). The DQA handles complaints against nursing homes, residential care facilities, and certain other types of residential care providers. It specifically handles complaints involving:
Nursing home residents and family members can file complaints with the DQA anonymously if they prefer to do so. However, even when residents and family members provide their contact information, the DQA makes clear that it, “does not give these details to the provider or facility.” The DQA accepts complaints online and by phone at 800-642-6552.
Another way to report a nursing home is to file a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman handles complaints on behalf of individuals who are age 60 and older that involve issues including:
In addition to handling complaints, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman can also provide information on long-term care options and provide referrals, and it can help to resolve problems directly with nursing homes in some cases. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman accepts complaints by mail and by phone at 800-815-0015.
The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) also accepts complaints involving nursing home neglect and abuse, including specifically complaints against nursing home administrators. The DSPS also accepts anonymous complaints, and complaints filed with DSPS can lead to a reprimand, suspension, or revocation of a nursing home administrator’s license. The DSPS accepts complaints online and by mail.
If you aren’t sure whether you should contact the DQA, DSPS, or Long-Term Care Ombudsman, you can contact a nursing home abuse lawyer in Wisconsin to help report a nursing home. Your lawyer will be able to help you decide which type of complaint is most appropriate; and, if desired, your lawyer can file your complaint on your behalf.
Your lawyer can also take legal action on your behalf if necessary. While reporting a nursing home can lead to license suspension and other penalties, filing a complaint with the DQA, DSPS, or Long-Term Care Ombudsman does not provide access to compensation for the financial and non-financial costs of neglect or abuse. If warranted, your lawyer can file a complaint in court as well, and your lawyer can work to ensure that the nursing home is held fully accountable for your (or your loved one’s) out-of-pocket costs, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the neglect or abuse.
Do you need to know more about taking action in response to neglect or abuse in a Wisconsin nursing home? If so, we strongly encourage you to contact us for more information. Our attorneys can help you report a nursing home and seek the compensation you and your family deserve. Your loved one may be entitled to compensation for his or her physical, financial, and emotional losses.
Don’t postpone justice another day. Contact Boller & Vaughan today online or at 608-268-0268 for a FREE case evaluation. We serve clients throughout Wisconsin from our office in Madison. We handle nursing home abuse cases on a contingency fee basis, which means if you don’t pay unless we win.
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We live in Friendship, Wisconsin, and Boller & Vaughan came to our doorstep to discuss our mother’s wrongful death claim on a Saturday morning. Not only were we pleased with the large recovery, we were so thankful to have lawyers who were willing to explain to us every twist and turn along the way. It is great to know there is a law firm that will fight for the rights of elderly people all over Wisconsin.
Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan were incredible in working on my case and my daughter’s case. I was out of work and in the hospital with a new baby. Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan protected our rights and it was a pleasure to work with them. I hope never to be in another motor vehicle accident, however, if I am and I am injured, I will contact Boller & Vaughan immediately.
I was referred to Michelle through a friend. I have never had a better experience. It took a little over a year to get my settlement but the staff there stayed in constant contact and kept me in the loop. Oh, and Michelle actually got me MORE money than we discussed. I will refer anyone to this firm. Words cannot do justice the thanks that I have for Michelle and her staff (Mary especially) thank you guys so much!
After my husband died as a result of a motor vehicle accident, Boller & Vaughan spent countless hours talking with me, meeting with me in person, and making sure that I was okay. The drunk driver who hit us did not have any insurance, and we had to make a claim through our own insurance. Boller & Vaughan was fantastic at explaining the law to me and the handling of our claims.
After my son was injured in a daycare setting, Ms. Vaughan took the time to thoroughly investigate our case and my son’s injuries. Michele was approachable and had answers to our questions. Talking with her helped to relieve many of our anxieties.
