Delaware at a Glance

The Division of Health Care Quality licenses and regulates Delaware nursing facilities and investigates complaints.

• Licenses and regulates Delaware nursing facilities
• Runs a 24-hour complaint and incident line: 1-877-453-0012
• Residents’ rights law appears at 16 Del. C. § 1121

Visit the state agency site →

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

Delaware resident rights include:

• Right to safe, dignified, considerate, and respectful care
• Right to complete, current information about their diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in plain language
• Right to a monthly written, itemized statement of all charges and expenses
• Right to refuse treatment
• Right to privacy and confidentiality
• Right to be free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and improper restraints
• Right to present complaints to staff, the state, or advocacy groups without fear of reprisal
• Right not to be required to perform services for the facility
• Right to retain and use personal clothing and possessions, with secure storage
• Right to remain in the facility, with transfers or discharges only as the law allows (§ 1127)
• Right to statutory minimum staffing ratios in skilled nursing facilities (16 Del. C. § 1162)

Source: 16 Del. C. § 1121 (Resident’s rights)

Phone: 1-855-773-1002
Website: https://dhss.delaware.gov/office-of-the-secretary/long-term-care-ombudsman-program/

Learn more about nursing home ombudsmen →

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. To report nursing home abuse or neglect in Delaware, contact the Division of Health Care Quality.

Families can:

• Call the 24-hour toll-free complaint and incident line at 1-877-453-0012, or file the online complaint form
• Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-855-773-1002
• 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 Delaware nursing home when poor care caused injury or death.

Common claims include:

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

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

See nursing home settlement amounts in Delaware →