Surveyors haven’t dropped the hammer on new nursing home arbitration rules, but threats persist
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 08, 2024
Two years after surveyors began enforcing new arbitration rules, they have not pursued skilled nursing operators with the vigor some expected.
Arbitration order ruled invalid in COVID wrongful death case. That could be trouble for nursing homes:...
By
Josh Henreckson
Feb 06, 2024
An appellate court judge has ruled that a plaintiff who filed a wrongful death case on behalf of her mother was not bound by an arbitration agreement she had signed in her role as power of attorney.
Nursing home wins right to arbitrate, but case reveals common agreement weakness
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 28, 2023
An Illinois nursing home can avoid a court battle over a personal injury claim, thanks to an appellate court’s finding that its contract “clearly” gave its arbitrator the right to decide which cases...
Ban on arbitration of sexual assault, harassment disputes will hit LTC
By
Norris Cunningham
Barb Killian
Feb 28, 2022
Congress passed H.R. 4445 on February 7, 2022. The bill, titled “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021,” is important to long-term care facilities that enter...
The coming crackdown: COVID-19 and beyond
By
Karen Christian
Matthew Hittle
Apr 21, 2021
For more than a year, America’s nursing homes have been besieged by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has tragically claimed the lives of more than 130,000 residents and 1,600 staff. While America’s nursing...
Healthcare surrogates can’t agree to arbitration on behalf of their charges, court rules
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 01, 2019
Standing as a health surrogate doesn’t allow appointees to enter into nursing home arbitration agreements or other business agreements with providers, a Florida appeals court has ruled.
Ruling on nursing home arbitration shows the fine print counts
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 14, 2018
Signing on the dotted line counts in arbitration cases, even if the text explaining that arbitration is voluntary isn’t in bold print.
Ask the legal expert … about arbitration agreements
By
John Durso
Apr 01, 2013
It seems like every time I see a news item about arbitration agreements being signed by a resident/patient’s surrogate or relative, some judges rules it invalid or unenforceable. Are they ever valid?...
Long-term care providers: plenty of reasons to look over the shoulder
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 18, 2012
As if sobering news weren’t in deep enough supply for long-term care providers, we’ve been reminded again why the threat of getting sued usually lingers in the back of the mind.
Health lawyers to tackle arbitration, HITECH and health reform at annual meeting
Jun 25, 2010
The American Health Lawyers Association will hold its annual meeting next week in Seattle. Education session topics will include the arbitration process, an overview of HITECH (Health Information Technology...