Many families are forced to rely on nursing homes to provide quality care to a parent or loved one who is elderly or frail. The lawyers at Reed Law Offices PC in Omaha, NE, warn families to be careful when signing and reviewing the nursing home admission paperwork. This is because many admission agreements contain an arbitration clause, which signs away a victim’s right to a jury trial in the event of neglect or abuse. To make matters worse, arbitration clauses are usually buried in mountains of admission paperwork and handed to clients who think they are simply documents to admit their loved one. 

These arbitration clauses undercut the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, which aims to protect seniors and nursing home patients who are susceptible to abuse. They also tend to give greater benefits to the nursing home industry, including their right to:

• Appeals
• Case Delays
• Postponement for Justice to Victims of Abuse
• Protection from Liability
• A Reduction in Staff Overheads

To mitigate this great injustice, organizations like The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have taken note. This organization is urging seniors and their families to use a limited-time opportunity to voice their opinions about arbitration clauses in nursing homes on regulations.gov. It’s a convenient platform for residents to rally around and influence the federal decision-making process.

In the event that you or a loved one has already experienced abuse, neglect, or a wrongful death in a senior care facility, get in touch with Reed Law Offices PC.  To schedule an appointment, call (402) 933-0588 or visit them online for more information regarding their services.