Nursing home abuse or neglect in Dallas: who to call and what your family can do
If someone you love may be neglected in a Dallas nursing home, call the state complaint line at 800-458-9858. The Dallas County ombudsman can help too, at 214-823-5700, option 4. If there is immediate danger, call 911. A Texas lawsuit is generally due within two years.
Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (34)
Who do I call about a Dallas nursing home right now?
You can call with a worry alone, without proof. It is enough to be worried. Many families here feel the same way. The Senior Source, which runs the county ombudsman program, says about 16,000 people live in Dallas County long-term care facilities.
| Who | What they do | How to reach them |
|---|---|---|
| 911 or Dallas Police | Immediate danger or a crime | 911 |
| Texas HHS complaint line | Investigates care problems in licensed facilities | 800-458-9858 |
| Dallas County ombudsman | A free, confidential advocate for the resident | 214-823-5700, option 4; 3910 Harry Hines Blvd. |
| The Senior Source program director | Questions about Dallas County facilities | 214-525-6114 |
| State ombudsman | If you cannot reach the local office | 800-252-2412 |
| Adult Protective Services | Dallas County Probate Courts point families here for abuse or exploitation | 1-800-252-5400 |
An ombudsman can only act with the consent of the resident or their representative. They often help with everyday problems, such as unanswered call buttons, staffing, food and unsanitary conditions. In Texas, anyone with cause to believe a person is being abused must report it.
What are warning signs at a Dallas nursing home?
Trust what you notice on your visits. A federal rule gives every resident the right to live free from abuse and neglect. When abuse or serious injury is involved, the facility has 2 hours to report an allegation.
- Pressure sores. They should not develop unless clinically unavoidable.
- Repeated falls. Facilities must give supervision and devices to help prevent accidents.
- Sudden weight loss, dehydration or a change in mood that no one can explain.
- Staff who will not let you be alone with your loved one.
Write down what you see, with dates and the names of staff you spoke with. Photos can help, if the resident agrees and the facility's rules allow it. Try to stay kind but firm with the people providing daily care, since your loved one is still there.
How can I get records from a Dallas nursing home?
- Ask in writing. A resident or representative can see records within 24 hours, not counting weekends and holidays.
- Ask for copies. Give 2 working days notice, and the facility must provide them.
- Look up the most recent inspection. Residents can see it, and families can request the full survey or the last complaint report.
- Check star ratings on Medicare's site, which cover inspections, staffing and quality.
- Save your own notes in one place, with a copy for another family member.
A resident can complain without being punished for it. If you see retaliation, tell the ombudsman right away.
When can a Dallas family bring a nursing home claim?
Texas treats these claims like health care claims. That brings the same strict steps as a malpractice case. Written notice is due 60 days before suit. Each defendant's answer starts a 120-day deadline for the expert report. A lawsuit is generally due within two years of the act or the end of treatment.
Texas limits some damages. Pain and suffering is capped at $250,000 per claimant for one institution. In death cases there is a $500,000 base limit, adjusted for inflation. Usually the facility's insurer pays. If Medicare covered care, it must be repaid from a settlement.
Look at the admission papers. A nursing home cannot make arbitration a condition of admission or continued care, and there is a 30-day window to cancel an agreement you signed.
What can we do if our loved one died in a Dallas nursing home?
We are sorry for your loss. There is no rush to decide anything today, though some records do take time, so a few early steps may help.
- If the Dallas County Medical Examiner was involved, it is at 2355 N. Stemmons Freeway, (214) 920-5900. There is no charge to families for its services.
- Autopsy reports are typically done within 60 days and can take up to 90.
- Death certificates for deaths inside Dallas come from the city's Vital Statistics office at 1515 Young Street.
- Texas law sets out which family members may bring a claim.
Questions
How do I report a nursing home in Dallas?
The state's abuse line is 800-458-9858. Call 911 if someone is in danger.
Who is the ombudsman for Dallas County nursing homes?
The state directory lists the Dallas County program at 214-823-5700, option 4.
How long do we have to file a claim in Dallas?
Generally two years, with written notice 60 days before suit.
Do we have to sign an arbitration agreement?
No. A facility cannot require it to admit you or to keep you.
Nursing home abuse or neglect in Dallas? See if you are owed money.
A free case review. $0 upfront. No fee unless you win.
See if I’m owed moneySources (34)
- Texas HHS, checked 2026-11-09. “Call 800-458-9858 to report complaints about the care or treatment of someone served by a Regulatory Services provider”
- State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Find an Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “Contact 214-823-5700 opt. 4 866-823-5700 opt. 4 Fax: 214-602-6141 | Address 3910 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas, TX 75219 | Counties Dallas”
- Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 74.251, checked 2026-11-09. “within two years from the occurrence of the breach or tort”
- Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “Services are free, confidential and available statewide.”
- 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”
- The Senior Source, Nursing Home Resources, checked 2026-11-09. “for the 16,000 residents living in Dallas County facilities”
- The Senior Source, Nursing Home Resources, checked 2026-11-09. “CALL: 214-525-6114”
- Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “Call 800-252-2412 to speak with an LTC ombudsman in your area”
- Dallas County Probate Courts, Report Abuse, checked 2026-11-09. “Contact Adult Protective Services at 1 (800) 252-5400 and call your local police department to report the crime”
- Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “ombudsmen only take action with the consent of the resident or their representative”
- The Senior Source, Nursing Home Resources, checked 2026-11-09. “Identifying and resolving issues, such as unanswered call buttons, roommate difficulties, staffing, food, and unsanitary conditions.”
- Texas Health & Safety Code 260A.002, checked 2026-11-09. “shall report the abuse, neglect, or exploitation in accordance with this chapter”
- 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 483.25, checked 2026-11-09. “does not develop pressure ulcers unless the individual's clinical condition demonstrates that they were unavoidable”
- 42 CFR 483.25, checked 2026-11-09. “Each resident receives adequate supervision and assistance devices to prevent accidents.”
- 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays)”
- 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “upon request and 2 working days advance notice to the facility”
- 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “Examine the results of the most recent survey of the facility conducted by Federal or State surveyors”
- Medicare.gov guide, checked 2026-11-09. “You can also ask for a copy of the full survey or the last complaint investigation report.”
- CMS, checked 2026-11-09. “There is one Overall 5-star rating for each nursing home, and separate ratings for health inspections, staffing and quality measures.”
- 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “without discrimination or reprisal and without fear of discrimination or reprisal”
- Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 74.051, checked 2026-11-09. “at least 60 days before the filing of a suit”
- Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 74.351, checked 2026-11-09. “not later than the 120th day after the date each defendant's original answer is filed”
- Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 74.301, checked 2026-11-09. “where final judgment is rendered against a single health care institution”
- Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 74.303, checked 2026-11-09. “the limit of civil liability for all damages, including exemplary damages, shall be limited to an amount not to exceed $500,000 for each claimant”
- CMS, checked 2026-11-09. “it must be repaid to Medicare when a settlement, judgment, award, or other payment is made”
- 42 CFR 483.70, checked 2026-11-09. “the right to rescind the agreement within 30 calendar days of signing it”
- Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, Contact Us, checked 2026-11-08. “2355 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207 Telephone: (214) 920-5900”
- Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “There are no charges for medical examiner services performed for your loved one.”
- Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “Autopsy reports are typically completed within 60 days from the date of death.”
- City of Dallas Bureau of Vital Statistics, Order Online, checked 2026-11-08. “We can only issue long form birth and death certificates for events that occurred within the city limits of Dallas from April 1983 to present.”
- City of Dallas Bureau of Vital Statistics, Order Online, checked 2026-11-08. “1515 Young Street, 1st Floor Dallas, TX 75201 Phone: (214) 670-3092”
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.004(a)-(b), checked 2026-11-08. “An action to recover damages as provided by this subchapter is for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. (b) The surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased may bring the action or one or more of those individuals may bring the action for the benefit of all.”