Rhode Island at a Glance

RIDOH licenses and inspects Rhode Island nursing homes and investigates facility complaints.

• Licenses and inspects Rhode Island nursing homes
• Receives complaints at 401-222-5960 or via the online complaint form
• Rights of Nursing Home Patients appear at R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 23-17.5

Visit the state agency site →

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

Rhode Island resident rights include:

• Right to adequate and appropriate care
• Right to choose a physician and be informed of their medical condition
• Right to be informed of services and charges
• Right to refuse treatment and experimental research
• Right to voice grievances without retaliation
• Right to be free from abuse and improper restraints
• Right not to perform services for the facility
• Right to participate in activities
• Right to visitors — with at least 4 hours of posted visiting time daily — and private, unopened mail
• Right to privacy and to manage their own financial affairs
• Right for married patients to share a room
• Right to transfer protections and non-discrimination

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 23-17.5 (Rights of Nursing Home Patients)

Phone: 401-785-3340 or 1-888-351-0808
Website: https://oha.ri.gov/resources/fraud-and-abuse/ombudsman-program

Learn more about nursing home ombudsmen →

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. To report nursing home abuse or neglect in Rhode Island, contact the Department of Health.

Families can:

• Call RIDOH at 401-222-5960 or file the online facility complaint form
• Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 401-785-3340 or 1-888-351-0808
• 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 Rhode Island 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.

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

See nursing home settlement amounts in Rhode Island →