North Carolina at a Glance

The Division of Health Service Regulation licenses North Carolina nursing homes and runs the state complaint intake unit.

• Licenses and inspects North Carolina nursing homes
• Runs the complaint hotline: 1-800-624-3004 (anonymous OK)
• Nursing home patients’ bill of rights appears at N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-117

Visit the state agency site →

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

North Carolina resident rights include:

• Right to be treated with respect, consideration, dignity, and full recognition of individuality and privacy
• Right to receive care and services that are adequate, appropriate, and lawful
• Right to a written statement of services and charges at admission and during the stay
• Right to respect and privacy in their medical care, with confidential records
• Right to participate in care planning and refuse treatment
• Right to voice grievances without fear of reprisal
• Right to be free from mental and physical abuse and from improper restraints
• Right to manage their own financial affairs
• Right to private communication and visits
• Right to enforce these rights in court (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-123)

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-117 (Declaration of patient’s rights)

Phone: 919-855-3400
Website: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/aging/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 North Carolina, contact the Division of Health Service Regulation.

Families can:

• Call the DHSR complaint hotline at 1-800-624-3004 or file the online complaint form
• Contact your Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman through the Division of Aging at 919-855-3400
• 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 North Carolina nursing home when poor care caused injury or death. Note that North Carolina’s wrongful death deadline is shorter than its injury deadline.

Common claims include:

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

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

See nursing home settlement amounts in North Carolina →