When Looking for a Nebraska Nursing Home, Read the Fine Print

With so many tasks on your to-do list, you might not read the fine print in the admissions paperwork - a mistake you may not realize until it's too late.

Nursing homes nationwide have "binding arbitration" clauses to their contract paperwork. Usually, the binding arbitration clause states that the resident agrees to give up the right to a jury trial if he or she suffers a serious injury due to nursing home abuse or neglect. In recent years, many nursing homes have changed their binding arbitration clauses to agree that both parties will take their dispute to an arbitrator, who will make a final decision in a closed hearing without a jury - and, in some cases, with no opportunity for appeal.

Experienced Omaha nursing home injury lawyers have become increasingly concerned at how these clauses are used. A nursing home resident or family member is not required to agree to arbitration in order for the resident to receive care. But many people accidentally do so because they do not see the arbitration clause buried in the fine print, or because no one explains to them how the clause affects their rights in an injury claim. Contact the attorneys at Cullan & Cullan to discuss your questions and concerns today.