Wisconsin at a Glance

The Division of Quality Assurance licenses and regulates Wisconsin nursing homes and investigates quality-of-care complaints.

• Licenses and inspects Wisconsin nursing homes
• Runs the complaint line: 1-800-642-6552 (anonymous OK; details not shared with the facility)
• Residents’ rights appear at Wis. Stat. § 50.09

Visit the state agency site →

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

Wisconsin resident rights include:

• Right to be treated with courtesy, respect, and full recognition of dignity and individuality
• 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 in communications and confidential records
• Right to present grievances without justifiable fear of reprisal
• Right to be free from abuse and improper restraints
• Right to manage their own financial affairs
• Right to keep and use personal property
• Right to private visits and to meet with groups of their choice

Source: Wis. Stat. § 50.09 (rights of residents in certain facilities)

Phone: 1-800-815-0015
Website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aging/ltcombud.htm

Learn more about nursing home ombudsmen →

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

Families can:

• Call the DQA complaint line at 1-800-642-6552 or file the online Complaint Intake Survey
• Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-800-815-0015
• 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 Wisconsin 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.

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

See nursing home settlement amounts in Wisconsin →