Find a nursing home abuse lawyer in San Antonio: what your family can do now

If you fear for someone in a San Antonio nursing home, call the Bexar County ombudsman at 210-362-5236. It is free and confidential. Report abuse to the state at 800-458-9858. Texas generally allows 2 years to sue, and written notice must come at least 60 days first.

Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (39)

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Road map of San Antonio showing Northeast Loop 410, where the Bexar County long-term care ombudsman office is located
Bexar County's free long-term care ombudsman: 210-362-5236. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What should I do if I suspect nursing home neglect in San Antonio?

Trust what you see. You do not need proof before asking for help. Sores that keep growing, sudden weight loss, repeated falls, unexplained bruises and a person who has gone quiet are all reasons to act. Federal rules say residents have the right to be free from abuse and neglect.

  1. If someone is in danger, call 911.
  2. Write down what you saw, with dates and names, and take photos if your loved one is comfortable with that.
  3. Ask to see the chart. A facility must let a resident or representative see records within 24 hours, not counting weekends and holidays. Copies need 2 working days' notice.
  4. Tell the charge nurse or administrator in writing. Allegations of abuse or serious injury must be reported by the facility within 2 hours.
  5. Call one of the numbers below. Anyone with cause to believe abuse is happening must report it in Texas.

Who do I call about a nursing home in Bexar County?

WhoWhat they doHow to reach them
Long-term care ombudsmanFree, confidential advocate for residents210-362-5236 or 800-252-2412, 2700 NE Loop 410, Suite 101
Texas HHS complaint lineTakes complaints about care or treatment800-458-9858
Texas abuse hotlineReports about an elderly or disabled person1-800-252-5400
SAPD or SheriffIf a crime may have happenedSAPD non-emergency: 210-207-7273
District Attorney Victim AssistanceHelps crime victims in Bexar County210-335-2105, with help in Spanish

The ombudsman needs the resident's or a representative's permission before acting. Residents can complain without being punished. If you see a change in care after complaining, write it down and tell the ombudsman.

Before you choose another place, look at the star ratings, which cover inspections, staffing and quality. A resident can also see the most recent inspection report at the facility.

Do I need a guardianship to act for my parent in San Antonio?

Maybe not. A resident who can decide can simply name you as a representative. A power of attorney can also help. If your parent cannot make decisions and no one has legal authority, the Bexar County Probate Courts handle guardianship.

  • The county says you must retain an attorney to establish a guardianship.
  • For an adult, a doctor's certificate must be dated within 120 days of the application.
  • If you cannot file yourself, you can still start a guardianship investigation by writing to the court.
  • Probate Court 1 is at 100 Dolorosa, Room 117. The Probate Department of the County Clerk is at 210-335-2241.

What if my parent signed an arbitration paper at a San Antonio nursing home?

Find that paper. Federal rules say a facility must not require arbitration as a condition of admission or continued care. A resident has 30 calendar days from signing to cancel it. Texas law calls for a boldface attorney warning, but the Texas Supreme Court held that federal arbitration law can override that rule. Bring the paper to any lawyer you meet.

What happens if my loved one died in a San Antonio nursing home?

We are very sorry. You do not need to decide anything today. If the death was sudden or unexpected, the Bexar County Medical Examiner may look into it, and families can call 210-335-4011. The office is at 7337 Louis Pasteur Drive.

When you are ready, copies of a death certificate are available through the City Clerk at 719 S. Santa Rosa, with the first copy at $21. Ask for the full chart, since federal rules require records to be kept five years if state law is silent.

A death claim has a short deadline too, and Texas has a separate limit on damages in these cases, so speak with a lawyer when you feel ready.

Questions

Who can I call about a nursing home in San Antonio?

The Bexar County ombudsman, at 210-362-5236 or 800-252-2412.

Can a San Antonio nursing home refuse to show me records?

A resident or representative must get access within 24 hours, not counting weekends and holidays.

Is a nursing home claim a medical malpractice claim in Texas?

It generally falls under Chapter 74. That includes an expert report.

Does complaining put my parent at risk?

Residents may complain without reprisal. Tell the ombudsman if anything changes.

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Sources (39)

  1. Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Find an Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “Contact 210-362-5236 800-252-2412”
  2. Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “Services are free, confidential and available statewide.”
  3. 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”
  4. Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 74.251, checked 2026-11-09. “within two years from the occurrence of the breach or tort”
  5. Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 74.051, checked 2026-11-09. “at least 60 days before the filing of a suit”
  6. Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “ombudsmen only take action with the consent of the resident or their representative”
  7. 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays)”
  8. 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”
  9. 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”
  10. 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “upon request and 2 working days advance notice to the facility”
  11. 42 CFR 483.12, checked 2026-11-09. “not later than 2 hours after the allegation is made”
  12. Texas Health & Safety Code 260A.002, checked 2026-11-09. “shall report the abuse, neglect, or exploitation in accordance with this chapter”
  13. Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Find an Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “Address 2700 NE Loop 410 Ste. 101 San Antonio, TX 78217 | Counties Bexar”
  14. Bexar County Probate Courts, Establishing Guardianship, checked 2026-11-09. “You can report abuse by phone at 1-800-252-5400”
  15. SAPD, Contact & Connect, checked 2026-11-08. “Non-Emergency: 210-207-SAPD (210-207-7273”
  16. Bexar County District Attorney, Victim Assistance, checked 2026-11-08. “The Victim Assistance Division may be contacted at 210-335-2105.”
  17. 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “without discrimination or reprisal and without fear of discrimination or reprisal”
  18. 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.”
  19. 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”
  20. Bexar County Probate Courts, Establishing Guardianship, checked 2026-11-09. “To establish a guardianship, you must retain an attorney”
  21. Bexar County Probate Courts, Establishing Guardianship, checked 2026-11-09. “it must be dated within 120 days of the filing of the application for guardianship”
  22. Bexar County Probate Courts, Establishing Guardianship, checked 2026-11-09. “you can still initiate a guardianship investigation”
  23. Bexar County Probate Courts, Establishing Guardianship, checked 2026-11-09. “100 Dolorosa Room 117 San Antonio, TX 78205”
  24. Bexar County Clerk, Probate, checked 2026-11-08. “please call 210-335-2241”
  25. Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 74.001, checked 2026-11-09. “(J) a nursing home”
  26. 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”
  27. Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 101.101, checked 2026-11-09. “not later than six months after the day that the incident giving rise to the claim occurred”
  28. Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 74.301, checked 2026-11-09. “where final judgment is rendered against a single health care institution”
  29. CMS, checked 2026-11-09. “it must be repaid to Medicare when a settlement, judgment, award, or other payment is made”
  30. 42 CFR 483.70, checked 2026-11-09. “the right to rescind the agreement within 30 calendar days of signing it”
  31. Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 74.451, checked 2026-11-09. “UNDER TEXAS LAW, THIS AGREEMENT IS INVALID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT UNLESS IT IS ALSO SIGNED BY AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR OWN CHOOSING”
  32. Texas Supreme Court, Fredericksburg Care v. Perez (2015), checked 2026-11-09. “We hold that the MFA does not apply to section 74.451”
  33. Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office, checked 2026-11-08. “investigate the deaths of all individuals in Bexar County who die suddenly, violently, and unexpectedly”
  34. Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office, checked 2026-11-08. “please contact us directly at 210-335-4011”
  35. Bexar County Medical Examiner, Requesting Records, checked 2026-11-08. “7337 Louis Pasteur Drive”
  36. City of San Antonio, Office of the City Clerk, Death Certificate, checked 2026-11-08. “The first copy of a death certificate costs $21.”
  37. City of San Antonio, Office of the City Clerk, Death Certificate, checked 2026-11-08. “719 S. Santa Rosa”
  38. 42 CFR 483.70, checked 2026-11-09. “Five years from the date of discharge when there is no requirement in State law”
  39. 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”

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