Indiana Nursing Home License Defense Attorney

Lawyer for License Discipline Issues Affecting Nursing Homes and Health Facility Administrators

Nursing homes provide essential care for many elderly patients and others who need long-term care in a residential facility. However, nursing homes are placed under a great deal of scrutiny due to the possibility that patients may experience neglect or abuse. There are a variety of issues that could affect a nursing home's license to operate, and disciplinary action may be taken against a facility due to complaints, violations, or other issues that may affect the health and safety of residents. Nursing home administrators will also need to maintain professional licenses, and they may face discipline due to alleged violations at a facility or other issues that may affect their ability to properly oversee a nursing home and ensure that residents are provided with the proper care.

When a nursing home is being investigated due to complaints, patient injuries, safety concerns, or other potential violations, its owners and administrators will need to work with an attorney to determine their legal options. At The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, LLC, we have a strong understanding of the laws that apply to nursing homes. We can help a facility respond to investigations by state or federal officials, provide evidence showing that it has met the required standards, and take any remedial action that may be required. We will work to ensure that a nursing home or administrator will be able to avoid discipline whenever possible and ensure that it will be able to continue operating successfully.

Disciplinary Action Against Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities

Nursing homes are regulated by the Indiana Department of Health Division of Long Term Care, which may respond to complaints by nursing home residents or their family members, investigate incidents involving allegations of neglect or abuse, and take disciplinary action against a facility. It may determine that discipline is warranted in cases involving:

• Physical, verbal, or sexual abuse against a patient by a staff member or other parties
• Failure to provide the proper care to patients, resulting in harm to a person's physical health
• Medical errors, including misdiagnoses of health issues, failure to provide treatment prescribed by a doctor, or administering medications incorrectly
• Breaches of patient confidentiality, such as by disclosing medical records without receiving authorization
• Financial mismanagement
• Criminal convictions that affect a nursing home's practices, such as fraud committed against patients

The Indiana Department of Health may impose multiple forms of discipline against a nursing home that is accused of committing a violation. For serious offenses that involve a substantial probability that patients will experience life-threatening conditions, a facility may be fined up to $10,000, and any new patient admissions may be suspended for up to 45 days. In some cases, a facility's license may be revoked, or it may be limited to using a probationary license. For less-serious deficiencies that affect the health, safety, and welfare of patients, other forms of discipline may be taken, including fines of up to $5,000, suspension of new admissions for up to 30 days, and the requirement to comply with plans to correct violations.

Nursing home administrators are licensed by the Indiana State Board of Health Facility Administrators, and depending on the type of facility, they may need to receive a comprehensive care facility administrator license or residential care facility administrator license. A nursing home or other health facility cannot operate unless it is under the supervision of a licensed administrator. Many of the issues that may result in discipline for a nursing home may also lead the Board to take disciplinary action against an administrator, and the suspension or revocation of a person's professional license may affect a facility's ability to remain in operation.

Contact Our Indiana Nursing Home License Discipline Lawyer

Our firm can provide legal help and representation for nursing homes or administrators who need to address licensing issues. We will work with a facility to address complaints or claims that violations have occurred and ensure that it will be able to continue operating and providing services to patients. Contact our firm today at 463-219-2612 to schedule a free consultation.