Tennessee at a Glance

The Health Facilities Commission licenses Tennessee nursing homes and runs the centralized complaint intake unit.

• Licenses and inspects Tennessee nursing homes
• Runs the complaint hotline: 1-877-287-0010 (or [email protected])
• Nursing home residents’ rights appear at Tenn. Code § 68-11-901 et seq.

Visit the state agency site →

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

Tennessee 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 retaliation — facilities must report abuse to the state by law
• Right to be free from abuse, neglect, and improper restraints
• Right to manage their own financial affairs
• Right to private communication and visits
• Right of access to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Source: Tenn. Code § 68-11-901 et seq. (nursing home residents’ rights)

Phone: 1-877-236-0013
Website: https://www.tn.gov/disability-and-aging/disability-aging-programs/long-term-care-ombudsman.html

Learn more about nursing home ombudsmen →

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. To report nursing home abuse or neglect in Tennessee, contact the Health Facilities Commission.

Families can:

• Call the complaint hotline at 1-877-287-0010 or email [email protected]
• Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-877-236-0013
• 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 Tennessee nursing home when poor care caused injury or death. Tennessee has one of the shortest filing deadlines in the country, and health care claims require advance notice before filing.

Common claims include:

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

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

See nursing home settlement amounts in Tennessee →