Maine at a Glance

The Division of Licensing and Certification licenses and inspects Maine nursing homes and investigates complaints.

• Licenses and inspects Maine nursing homes and assisted housing
• Runs the complaint line: 1-800-383-2441
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman authority appears at 22 M.R.S. § 5107

Visit the state agency site →

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

Maine resident rights include:

• Right to be treated with dignity and respect
• Right to be fully informed of their rights, condition, and charges
• Right to choose a physician and participate in care planning
• Right to refuse treatment
• Right to privacy and confidential records
• Right to voice grievances without fear of reprisal
• Right to be free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and improper restraints
• Right to advance written notice before services are reduced or terminated, with appeal rights
• Right of access to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
• Right to free legal help for residents 60+ through Legal Services for Maine Elders (1-800-750-5353)

Source: Maine long-term care residents’ rights law (22 M.R.S.) and 42 CFR § 483.10

Phone: 1-800-499-0229
Website: https://www.maineombudsman.org/

Learn more about nursing home ombudsmen →

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. To report nursing home abuse or neglect in Maine, contact the Division of Licensing and Certification.

Families can:

• Call the DLC complaint line at 1-800-383-2441 or file the online complaint form
• Report abuse to 24-hour Adult Protective Services at 1-800-624-8404
• Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-800-499-0229
• 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 Maine nursing home when poor care caused injury or death. Maine has one of the longest general filing windows in the country, but health care claims move much faster.

Common claims include:

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

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

See nursing home settlement amounts in Maine →