New Hampshire at a Glance

The Health Facilities Administration licenses New Hampshire nursing homes; complaints also route through the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services.

• Licenses and inspects New Hampshire nursing homes
• Health Facility Licensing Unit: 603-271-9039
• Patients’ bill of rights appears at RSA 151:21

Visit the state agency site →

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

New Hampshire resident rights include:

• Right to be treated with consideration, respect, and full recognition of dignity
• Right to be fully informed of their rights and of all services and charges
• Right to choose their provider and be informed of their medical condition
• Right to participate in care planning and refuse treatment
• Right to confidential records and privacy in treatment
• Right to voice grievances without fear of reprisal — retaliation for contacting the ombudsman is illegal
• Right to be free from abuse and from restraints except in documented emergencies
• Right to manage their own financial affairs
• Right to private communication and visits
• Right not to perform services for the facility
• Right to transfer and discharge protections with advance notice

Source: RSA 151:21 (New Hampshire patients’ bill of rights)

Phone: 1-800-442-5640
Website: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/about-dhhs/long-term-care-ombudsman

Learn more about nursing home ombudsmen →

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. To report nursing home abuse or neglect in New Hampshire, contact DHHS.

Families can:

• File a complaint with the Health Facility Licensing Unit at 603-271-9039 or HFA-Licensing@dhhs.nh.gov
• Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-800-442-5640 or OLTCO@dhhs.nh.gov (anonymous OK)
• 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 New Hampshire nursing home when poor care caused injury or death. New Hampshire also has a detailed patients’ bill of rights protecting residents.

Common claims include:

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

New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire can vary depending on the situation. Some cases have resulted in payouts of more than $1 million.

See nursing home settlement amounts in New Hampshire →