Kentucky at a Glance

The Office of Inspector General licenses and inspects Kentucky long-term care facilities and investigates complaints.

• Licenses and inspects Kentucky long-term care facilities
• Investigates complaints against nursing homes
• Residents’ rights law appears at KRS 216.515

Visit the state agency site →

Families can speak with a Kentucky nursing home lawyer to understand if rights may have been violated.

Kentucky resident rights include:

• Right to be informed of all available services and charges, and to contest unjustified charges
• Right to be transferred or discharged only for medical reasons, welfare, or nonpayment, with reasonable notice
• Right to voice grievances and recommend changes free from restraint, interference, coercion, or reprisal
• Right to be free from mental and physical abuse
• Right to be free from chemical and physical restraints unless justified in writing by a physician
• Right to be treated with consideration, respect, and full recognition of dignity
• Right to privacy and confidential records
• Right to participate in care planning and refuse treatment
• Right to keep and use personal possessions
• Right to enforce these rights in court — some statutory rights claims carry a 5-year deadline

Source: KRS 216.515 (Kentucky nursing home residents’ rights)

Phone: 1-800-372-2991
Website: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dail/Pages/ltcomb.aspx

Learn more about nursing home ombudsmen →

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. To report nursing home abuse or neglect in Kentucky, contact the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Families can:

• File a complaint with the Office of Inspector General online or in writing
• Report adult abuse or neglect to the state hotline at 1-800-752-6200
• Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-800-372-2991
• Report suspected crimes to local law enforcement

Include the facility name, resident name, dates, injuries, witnesses, and photos if available.

Full reporting guide →

Families may be able to sue a Kentucky nursing home when poor care caused injury or death. Kentucky has one of the shortest filing deadlines in the country, so timing is critical.

Common claims include:

• Personal injury: The resident was harmed by neglect or abuse.
• Wrongful death: Poor care contributed to the resident’s death.

Kentucky has strict legal deadlines, so families should speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible. Don’t wait — get started right now.

Free case review →

Nursing home settlements and trial verdicts in Kentucky can vary depending on the situation. Some cases have resulted in payouts of more than $1 million.

See nursing home settlement amounts in Kentucky →