How to File a Complaint Against a Nursing Home

Experienced Georgia Lawyer Helping Families Effectively Pursue Nursing Home Complaints

Suthers & Harper has represented families across Georgia and South Carolina for more than 25 years in cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect. If you believe your loved one has suffered harm in a nursing home, you have the right to file a complaint with state or federal agencies. Complaints are not just paperwork; they are formal tools that can lead to investigations, citations, and enforcement actions against at-fault facilities. A Georgia nursing home attorney can help you understand the process and protect your family’s rights.

Filing a Complaint in Georgia

In Georgia, complaints against nursing homes are managed by the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division of the Department of Community Health. Families may file by phone, through an online form, or in writing. After submission, the complaint is reviewed and may lead to an unannounced inspection of the facility.

The state investigates hundreds of complaints each year, many involving problems such as improper wound care or medication overdoses. Families who keep detailed records, as described in our page on how to document abuse and neglect, often achieve stronger results when state investigators review their concerns.

Filing a Complaint in South Carolina

In South Carolina, the Department of Health and Environmental Control manages nursing home complaints. Families can file reports online, by phone, or by submitting written documentation. The agency accepts anonymous complaints, although providing your contact information helps investigators follow up with any questions.

Recent reports show that South Carolina receives thousands of complaints annually, many tied to unsafe practices such as choking and aspiration dangers during meals. By referencing specific incidents and conditions in your complaint, you increase the likelihood that investigators will find systemic violations.

Federal Complaint Channels

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also oversees nursing home quality and requires state agencies to investigate complaints within set timeframes. Families whose loved ones are Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries may also report concerns through CMS. This federal oversight supplements state-level enforcement, which is particularly important when systemic violations, such as overmedication and chemical restraints, are suspected.

What Evidence Should Accompany a Complaint

A complaint is far more effective when it includes detailed, verifiable evidence rather than general concerns. Agencies that investigate nursing homes rely on facts that can be confirmed, and families play a crucial role in providing that information. The more specific and well-documented your complaint is, the greater the likelihood of a thorough investigation.

Families should gather:

Photographs. Take clear pictures of injuries, unsafe rooms, broken equipment, or unsanitary conditions. Each photo should be dated and stored securely so it can be shared later.

Medical records. Collect treatment notes, wound care charts, medication logs, or documentation of missed physician visits. These records often reveal whether the facility followed proper care standards.

Written notes. Keep a journal of your observations and any conversations with staff. Include dates, times, and names so investigators can compare your notes to facility records.

Witness accounts. When possible, gather statements from other residents or visitors. Their accounts can confirm your concerns and show that the issues are not isolated.

Learning how to document abuse and neglect strengthens your case and helps investigators verify the conditions you describe. Evidence that reveals a pattern of neglect, such as repeated infections, untreated wounds, or falsified records, often leads to more decisive enforcement actions. In some cases, thorough documentation also provides the foundation for legal claims, particularly when the complaint involves serious harms like sexual abuse and assault or improper wound care. Such as untreated wounds or falsified records, often lead to more decisive enforcement actions.

What Happens After a Complaint Is Filed

After you file, the agency will review your complaint, determine the severity, and decide whether an unannounced survey is required. Investigations may result in deficiency citations, fines, or corrective action plans. National data shows that roughly one-third of complaints lead to a formal deficiency finding, highlighting how common violations are in nursing homes.

Even when the state substantiates a complaint, families may still wish to pursue civil claims to hold at-fault facilities accountable. Issues like sexual abuse and assault or systemic understaffing are too serious to leave unresolved through regulatory actions alone.

Speak With a Savannah Nursing Home Attorney Today

Filing a complaint is one of the most effective steps you can take to protect your loved one and others in the same facility. Suthers & Harper has decades of experience guiding families through both the regulatory process and civil litigation in Georgia and South Carolina. Our attorneys understand how to collect the proper evidence, present it clearly, and ensure that complaints lead to meaningful outcomes. Call 800.320.2384 today to speak with a Savannah nursing home attorney about your concerns.