Washington, D.C. at a Glance

DC Health’s Health Regulation and Licensing Administration licenses DC nursing facilities and investigates complaints.

• Licenses and inspects District of Columbia nursing facilities
• Investigates complaints against facilities and health professionals
• Resident protections appear in D.C. Code § 44-1003.01 et seq.

Visit the state agency site →

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

District of Columbia resident rights include:

• Right to courteous, dignified care under the Nursing Home Residents’ Protection Act
• Right to be informed of their health status and participate in care planning
• Right to refuse treatment
• Right to privacy and confidential records
• Right to file grievances orally or in writing, with a copy sent to DC Health
• Right to be free from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation — incidents must be reported to DC Health, police, the Ombudsman, and Adult Protective Services
• Right to be free from improper physical or chemical restraints
• Right to transfer and discharge protections, with the Ombudsman able to act as the resident’s legal representative
• Right to a minimum of 4.1 direct care hours per resident per day under DC law

Source: D.C. Code § 44-1003.01 et seq. and DC Municipal Regulations (Nursing Facilities)

Phone: 202-434-2190
Website: https://dhcf.dc.gov/page/office-health-care-and-public-benefits-ombudsman

Learn more about nursing home ombudsmen →

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. To report nursing home abuse or neglect in the District of Columbia, contact DC Health’s Health Regulation and Licensing Administration.

Families can:

• File a complaint with DC Health (HRLA) online or in writing
• Contact the D.C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 202-434-2190
• Report suspected crimes to the Metropolitan Police Department

Include the facility name, resident name, dates, injuries, witnesses, and photos if available.

Full reporting guide →

Families may be able to sue a District of Columbia nursing home when poor care caused injury or death. DC law also supports claims when facilities violate residents’ protected rights.

Common claims include:

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

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

See nursing home settlement amounts in District of Columbia →