Nursing home abuse or neglect in Phoenix: who to call and how families get help
If someone you love may be harmed in a Phoenix nursing home, call Adult Protective Services at 1-877-767-2385. The Maricopa County ombudsman is at (602) 264-4357. Arizona's vulnerable adult law gives families a way to bring a claim, generally within two years after they actually discover the harm.
Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (32)
Who do I call about a Phoenix nursing home right now?
You do not need proof to ask for help. A worry is enough. If your parent seems afraid, has new bruises or sores, or is suddenly losing weight, you can call today and nobody will expect you to have the whole story.
| Who | What they do | How to reach them |
|---|---|---|
| 911 or Phoenix Police | Immediate danger or a crime. Non-emergency line is 602-262-6151 | 911 |
| Adult Protective Services | Reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult | 1-877-767-2385 |
| Ombudsman, Region 1 | Speaks up for residents and helps resolve complaints | (602) 264-4357 |
| 24-hour Senior HELP LINE | Local aging help at any hour | 602-264-4357 |
| Arizona Department of Health Services | Licensing and inspections. Online complaint form for long-term care | 602-364-2536 |
Maricopa County's ombudsman program covers adult foster care, assisted living and skilled nursing. Ombudsmen make routine visits and talk with residents about their rights, so you can ask one to look in on your family member.
What rights does my parent have in a Phoenix nursing home?
- To be free from abuse and neglect.
- The facility must report an abuse allegation within 2 hours when abuse or serious injury is involved.
- The resident or representative can see records within 24 hours, not counting weekends and holidays.
- Arbitration cannot be required to get in or to stay. If one was signed, there is a right to cancel within 30 days of signing.
Those federal rights apply to nursing homes that take Medicare or Medicaid. Assisted living is licensed differently, and those rules can vary, so ask the ombudsman which rules apply to your family member's home.
Can our family bring a claim in Phoenix?
Often, yes. Arizona's Adult Protective Services Act lets a vulnerable adult file in superior court against a person or business employed to provide care. The Arizona Supreme Court lists four parts: a vulnerable adult, an injury, abuse as the cause, and a caregiver.
- Keep a simple dated log of what you see and who you tell.
- Take photos of injuries with your family member's permission.
- Ask for records. Arizona requires nursing homes to keep them six years after discharge.
- Get a medical opinion from someone outside the facility.
- Talk to a lawyer about the two-year rule, which runs from actual discovery.
- If a lawsuit is filed, the attorney general must be notified within 30 days.
A claim stays alive after a person dies. Arizona's constitution also bars caps on these damages. Usually the facility's liability insurer or its parent company is the one paying. A public facility would need a claim within 180 days.
We signed an arbitration paper at a Phoenix nursing home. Is it too late?
Not always. Read the date first, because of the 30-day right to cancel. An Arizona appeals court has also said that family members' wrongful death claims are not bound by the resident's own agreements. Bring the paper to a lawyer rather than deciding alone.
Who makes decisions in Phoenix if my parent no longer can?
A guardian has legal authority to care for someone, and a conservator handles their finances. In Maricopa County, the Probate court appoints them for people who need help with decisions because of a disability. A family often needs this step before a claim can go forward, unless a power of attorney is already in place.
My mother died at a Phoenix nursing home. What now?
We are so sorry. You do not have to work everything out this week. If the death may not be natural, the Medical Examiner may review it. The office can be reached by phone at 602-506-3322, and its Family Advocate is at (602) 506-3176. The report is free for legal next of kin.
When you are ready, a wrongful death claim generally has 2 years from the date of death. A surviving spouse, child or parent may bring it.
Questions
How do I report nursing home abuse in Phoenix?
Call Adult Protective Services at 1-877-767-2385. You can also call the Region 1 ombudsman at (602) 264-4357.
How long does our family have to file a claim in Phoenix?
Generally two years after actual discovery under the vulnerable adult law. A public facility needs a claim in 180 days.
Will my parent get in trouble for complaining?
Residents have the right to complain without punishment. If you see retaliation, tell the ombudsman.
Do we need a lawyer to call the ombudsman?
No. It is a good place to start, and you can call at any stage.
Nursing home abuse or neglect in Phoenix? See if you are owed money.
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See if I’m owed moneySources (32)
- Arizona DES, checked 2026-11-09. “1-877-SOS-ADULT (1-877-767-2385)”
- Arizona DES, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “Maricopa County Region 1 Area Agency on Aging, Region One (602) 264-4357”
- A.R.S. 46-455, checked 2026-11-09. “shall be commenced within two years after actual discovery of the cause of action”
- 42 CFR 483.70, checked 2026-11-09. “must not require any resident or his or her representative to sign an agreement for binding arbitration as a condition of admission to”
- City of Phoenix, Contact the Phoenix Police Department, checked 2026-11-08. “Non-Emergency - 602-262-6151”
- Arizona DES, checked 2026-11-09. “main goal is to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints”
- Area Agency on Aging, Region One, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “24-Hour Senior HELP LINE Local 602-264-HELP (4357)”
- Arizona DHS, Complaint Tracker System, checked 2026-11-09. “Licensing Services Online Complaint Forms - Long Term Care Facilities”
- CMS, checked 2026-11-09. “Phone Number 602-364-2536”
- Area Agency on Aging, Region One, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “including adult foster care, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities”
- Area Agency on Aging, Region One, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “Ombudsmen also make routine visits to facilities to talk with residents about their rights and concerns”
- 42 CFR 483.12, checked 2026-11-09. “The resident has the right to be free from abuse, neglect, misappropriation of resident property, and exploitation”
- 42 CFR 483.12, checked 2026-11-09. “not later than 2 hours after the allegation is made”
- 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays)”
- 42 CFR 483.70, checked 2026-11-09. “the right to rescind the agreement within 30 calendar days of signing it”
- A.R.S. 46-455, checked 2026-11-09. “may file an action in superior court against any person or enterprise that has been employed to provide care”
- Arizona Supreme Court, Delgado v. Manor Care (2017), checked 2026-11-09. “(1) a vulnerable adult, (2) has suffered an injury, (3) caused by abuse, (4) from a caregiver”
- A.R.S. 12-2297, checked 2026-11-09. “shall retain patient records for six years after the date of the patient's discharge”
- A.R.S. 46-455, checked 2026-11-09. “within thirty days after the action is filed with the superior court”
- A.R.S. 46-455, checked 2026-11-09. “shall not be limited or affected by the death of the vulnerable adult”
- Arizona Constitution, art. 2, sec. 31, checked 2026-11-09. “No law shall be enacted in this state limiting the amount of damages to be recovered for causing the death or injury of any person”
- A.R.S. 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-09. “within one hundred eighty days after the cause of action accrues”
- Arizona Court of Appeals, Duenas v. Life Care (2014), checked 2026-11-09. “wrongful-death claims are not subject to the resident”
- Maricopa County Superior Court, Guardianships and Conservatorships, checked 2026-11-09. “A guardian is someone who has the legal authority to care for another, and a conservator is someone who manages another’s financial affairs.”
- Maricopa County Superior Court, Guardianships and Conservatorships, checked 2026-11-09. “The Probate court appoints guardians and conservators for these persons”
- Maricopa County, Office of the Medical Examiner FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “Death occurring in a suspicious, unusual or non-natural manner”
- Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, checked 2026-11-08. “Please contact OME at 602-506-3322 for assistance or to schedule an in-person appointment.”
- Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, Information for Next of Kin, checked 2026-11-08. “Family Advocate: (602) 506-3176”
- Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, Information for Next of Kin, checked 2026-11-08. “There is no fee to obtain a copy of the report if you are legal next of kin or if you request an electronic report.”
- A.R.S. § 12-542(2), checked 2026-11-08. “2. For injuries done to the person of another when death ensues from such injuries, which action shall be considered as accruing at the death of the party injured.”
- A.R.S. § 12-612(A), checked 2026-11-08. “An action for wrongful death shall be brought by and in the name of the surviving husband or wife, child, parent or guardian, or personal representative of the deceased person for and on behalf of the surviving husband or wife, children or parents, or if none of these survive, on behalf of the decedent's estate.”
- 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “without discrimination or reprisal and without fear of discrimination or reprisal”