Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 3721
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17 (2026)

Grievance procedure

✓ current as of May 2026
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Effective:
July 4, 2023
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly
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(A) Any resident who believes that the resident's rights under sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code have been violated may file a grievance under procedures adopted pursuant to division (A)(2) of section 3721.12 of the Revised Code.

When the grievance committee determines a violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code has occurred, it shall notify the administrator of the home. If the violation cannot be corrected within ten days, or if ten days have elapsed without correction of the violation, the grievance committee shall refer the matter to the department of health.

(B) Any person who believes that a resident's rights under sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code have been violated may report or cause reports to be made of the information directly to the department of health. No person who files a report is liable for civil damages resulting from the report.

(C)(1) The department of health shall investigate any complaint referred to it by a home's grievance committee and any complaint from any source that alleges that the home provided substantially less than adequate care or treatment, or substantially unsafe conditions, or refer it to the attorney general.

(2) The department of health may investigate any alleged violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, or of rules, policies, or procedures adopted pursuant to those sections, not covered by division (C)(1) of this section, or it may refer the complaint to the grievance committee at the home where the alleged violation occurred, or to the attorney general.

(D) If, after an investigation, the department of health finds probable cause to believe that a violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, or of rules, policies, or procedures adopted pursuant to those sections, has occurred, it shall cite one or more findings or deficiencies, and, if necessary, take action under section 3721.99 of the Revised Code.

(E) No home or employee of a home shall retaliate against any person who:

(1) Exercises any right set forth in sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, including, but not limited to, filing a complaint with the home's grievance committee or reporting an alleged violation to the department of health;

(2) Appears as a witness in any hearing conducted under section 3721.162 of the Revised Code;

(3) Files a civil action alleging a violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, or notifies a county prosecuting attorney or the attorney general of a possible violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code.

If, under the procedures outlined in this section, a home or its employee is found to have retaliated, the department of health may take action under section 3721.99 of the Revised Code.

(F) When legal action is indicated, any evidence of criminal activity found in an investigation under division (C) of this section shall be given to the prosecuting attorney in the county in which the home is located for investigation.

(G)(1)(a) Any resident whose rights under sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code are violated has a cause of action against any person or home committing the violation.

(b) An action under division (G)(1)(a) of this section may be commenced by the resident or by the resident's legal guardian or other legally authorized representative on behalf of the resident or the resident's estate. If the resident or the resident's legal guardian or other legally authorized representative is unable to commence an action under that division on behalf of the resident, the following persons in the following order of priority have the right to and may commence an action under that division on behalf of the resident or the resident's estate:

(i) The resident's spouse;

(ii) The resident's parent or adult child;

(iii) The resident's guardian if the resident is a minor child;

(iv) The resident's brother or sister;

(v) The resident's niece, nephew, aunt, or uncle.

(c) Notwithstanding any law as to priority of persons entitled to commence an action, if more than one eligible person within the same level of priority seeks to commence an action on behalf of a resident or the resident's estate, the court shall determine, in the best interest of the resident or the resident's estate, the individual to commence the action. A court's determination under this division as to the person to commence an action on behalf of a resident or the resident's estate shall bar another person from commencing the action on behalf of the resident or the resident's estate.

(d) The result of an action commenced pursuant to division (G)(1)(a) of this section by a person authorized under division (G)(1)(b) of this section shall bind the resident or the resident's estate that is the subject of the action.

(e) A cause of action under division (G)(1)(a) of this section shall accrue, and the statute of limitations applicable to that cause of action shall begin to run, based upon the violation of a resident's rights under sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, regardless of the party commencing the action on behalf of the resident or the resident's estate as authorized under divisions (G)(1)(b) and (c) of this section.

(2)(a) The plaintiff in an action filed under division (G)(1) of this section may obtain injunctive relief against the violation of the resident's rights. The plaintiff also may recover compensatory damages based upon a showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the violation of the resident's rights resulted from a negligent act or omission of the person or home and that the violation was the proximate cause of the resident's injury, death, or loss to person or property.

(b) If compensatory damages are awarded for a violation of the resident's rights, section 2315.21 of the Revised Code shall apply to an award of punitive or exemplary damages for the violation.

(c) The court, in a case in which only injunctive relief is granted, may award to the prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees limited to the work reasonably performed.

(3) Division (G)(2)(b) of this section shall be considered to be purely remedial in operation and shall be applied in a remedial manner in any civil action in which this section is relevant, whether the action is pending in court or commenced on or after July 9, 1998.

(4) Within thirty days after the filing of a complaint in an action for damages brought against a home under division (G)(1)(a) of this section by or on behalf of a resident or former resident of the home, the plaintiff or plaintiff's counsel shall send written notice of the filing of the complaint to the department of medicaid if the department has a right of recovery under section 5160.37 of the Revised Code against the liability of the home for the cost of medicaid services arising out of injury, disease, or disability of the resident or former resident.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 4:17 PM

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 46 cases (13 in the last 5 years), 1984–2025 · leading case: Cramer v. Auglaize Acres, 865 N.E.2d 9 (Ohio 2007).
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Cramer v. Auglaize Acres, 865 N.E.2d 9 (Ohio 2007). · cites it 21× “Although punitive damages may not be awarded against a political subdivision, we hold that R.C. 3721.17 expressly imposes liability on county-operated nursing homes for violations of R.”
Hayes v. Oakridge Home, 2009 Ohio 2054 (Ohio 2009). · cites it 10× “{¶ 55} R.C. 3721.17 contains the enforcement provision of the Ohio Nursing Home Patients’ Bill of Rights.”
Cunning v. Windsor House, Inc., 2023 Ohio 352 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 9× “” The trial court determined that the NHRBR explicitly provides for recovery of compensatory damages under R.C. 3721.17 and that “there is no language in the statute that prohibits an additional recovery under the common law.”
O'Toole v. Denihan, 889 N.E.2d 505 (Ohio 2008). · cites it 2× “We agreed with the court of appeals that the term “person” in R.C. 3721.17(I)(1) was too general to expressly impose liability on an employee of a political subdivision.”
Lerner v. Broadview NH, L.L.C., 2017 Ohio 8001 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 5× “113(E)(3)(c) because it arises from the medical care of Irene and was brought under R.C. 3721.17. 3 {¶ 16} Construing Lerner's amended complaint broadly, we determine that he set forth ten theories of liability for negligence and violations of R.”
Heartland of Urbana OH, L.L.C. v. McHugh Fuller Law Grp., P.L.L.C., 2016 Ohio 6959 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 4× “t is conducted under this section, including any statement of deficiencies and all findings and deficiencies cited in the statement on the basis of the inspection or investigation, shall -13- be used solely to determine the home's compliance with this chapter or another chapter…”
Bartley v. Hearth & Care of Greenfield, L.L.C., 2013 Ohio 279 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 4× “” “Medical claims” also include “[c]laims that arise out of the medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of any person and that are brought under section 3721.17 of the Revised Code.” R.C.”
Chalmers v. HCR Manorcare, Inc., 2017 Ohio 5678 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “(c) Claims that arise out of the plan of care, medical diagnosis, or treatment of any person and that are brought under section 3721.17 of the Revised Code ; (d) Claims that arise out of skilled nursing care or personal care services provided in a home pursuant to the plan of…”
Whitley v. River's Bend Health Care, 916 N.E.2d 515 (Ohio Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 5× “{¶ 24} The flaw in appellants’ argument, however, is that the cited cases involve language in R.C. 3721.17 that has since been repealed.”
Large v. Heartland-Lansing of Bridgeport Ohio, L.L.C., 2013 Ohio 2877 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 3× “The statute excludes grievance or complaint -10- proceedings under R.C. 3721.17 from “any action or proceeding,” and then specifies that an inspection report “shall not be used in any court or in any action or proceeding that is pending in any court and are not admissible in…”
Elder v. Fischer, 717 N.E.2d 730 (Ohio Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 3× “” 35 R.C. 3721.17 provides an aggrieved resident three distinct remedies: a grievance procedure, an administrative procedure, or a civil suit.”
Fletcher v. Univ. Hospitals of Cleveland, 873 N.E.2d 365 (Ohio Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 2× “(c) Claims that arise out of the medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of any person and that are brought under section 3721.17 of the Revised Code. {¶ 8} The wrongful-death claim asserted by appellant was a medical claim as defined by R.”
Show all 46 citing cases →
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(1): 7 cases
Corinthian v. Hartford Fire Ins. Co., 758 N.E.2d 218 (Ohio Ct. App. 2001).
Belinky v. Drake Ctr., Inc., 690 N.E.2d 1302 (Ohio Ct. App. 1996).
Elder v. Fischer, 717 N.E.2d 730 (Ohio Ct. App. 1998). “” 35 R.C. 3721.17 provides an aggrieved resident three distinct remedies: a grievance procedure, an administrative procedure, or a civil suit.”
Sprosty v. Pearlview, Inc., 666 N.E.2d 1180 (Ohio Ct. App. 1995).
Rothstein v. Montefiore Home, 689 N.E.2d 108 (Ohio Ct. App. 1996).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(1)(1): 1 case
Cramer v. Auglaize Acres, 865 N.E.2d 9 (Ohio 2007). “Although punitive damages may not be awarded against a political subdivision, we hold that R.C. 3721.17 expressly imposes liability on county-operated nursing homes for violations of R.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(A): 3 cases
Cramer v. Auglaize Acres, 865 N.E.2d 9 (Ohio 2007). “Although punitive damages may not be awarded against a political subdivision, we hold that R.C. 3721.17 expressly imposes liability on county-operated nursing homes for violations of R.”
Cunning v. Windsor House, Inc., 2023 Ohio 352 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023). “” The trial court determined that the NHRBR explicitly provides for recovery of compensatory damages under R.C. 3721.17 and that “there is no language in the statute that prohibits an additional recovery under the common law.”
Brooks v. Montgomery Care Ctr., 2014 Ohio 4644 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(B): 1 case
Sliwinski v. St. Edwards, 2014 Ohio 4655 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(C)(1): 1 case
Sliwinski v. St. Edwards, 2014 Ohio 4655 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(D): 2 cases
Sliwinski v. St. Edwards, 2014 Ohio 4655 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
Welch v. Brown's Nursing Home, 484 N.E.2d 178 (Ohio Ct. App. 1984).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(G): 3 cases
Dolan v. St. Mary's Mem'l Home, 794 N.E.2d 716 (Ohio Ct. App. 2003).
Welch v. Brown's Nursing Home, 484 N.E.2d 178 (Ohio Ct. App. 1984).
Sprosty v. Pearlview, Inc., 666 N.E.2d 1180 (Ohio Ct. App. 1995).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(G)(1): 1 case
Manter v. CPF Senior Living – Northgate Park L.L.C., 2024 Ohio 1385 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(G)(1)(a): 1 case
Gamble v. Valley Oaks Care Ctr., 2025 Ohio 570 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(G)(1)(e): 1 case
Gamble v. Valley Oaks Care Ctr., 2025 Ohio 570 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(G)(2)(a): 2 cases
Manter v. CPF Senior Living – Northgate Park L.L.C., 2024 Ohio 1385 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
Tussing v. Trilogy Healthcare of Huron, LLC (N.D. Ohio 2024).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(I): 5 cases
Lerner v. Broadview NH, L.L.C., 2017 Ohio 8001 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017). “113(E)(3)(c) because it arises from the medical care of Irene and was brought under R.C. 3721.17. 3 {¶ 16} Construing Lerner's amended complaint broadly, we determine that he set forth ten theories of liability for negligence and violations of R.”
Lawson v. Mahoning Cty. Mental Health Bd., 2010 Ohio 6389 (Ohio Ct. App. 2010).
Koch v. Keystone Pointe Health & Rehab., 2012 Ohio 5817 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
Vactor v. Franklin Blvd. Nursing Home, Inc., 2021 Ohio 945 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
Lawson v. Mahoning Cty. Mental Health Bd., 2010 Ohio 6388 (Ohio Ct. App. 2010).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(I)(1): 10 cases
Cramer v. Auglaize Acres, 865 N.E.2d 9 (Ohio 2007). “Although punitive damages may not be awarded against a political subdivision, we hold that R.C. 3721.17 expressly imposes liability on county-operated nursing homes for violations of R.”
O'Toole v. Denihan, 889 N.E.2d 505 (Ohio 2008). “We agreed with the court of appeals that the term “person” in R.C. 3721.17(I)(1) was too general to expressly impose liability on an employee of a political subdivision.”
Cunning v. Windsor House, Inc., 2023 Ohio 352 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023). “” The trial court determined that the NHRBR explicitly provides for recovery of compensatory damages under R.C. 3721.17 and that “there is no language in the statute that prohibits an additional recovery under the common law.”
Est. of Fleenor v. Ottawa Cty., 2021 Ohio 2251 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
Toros v. Cuyahoga Cty. Bd. of Dev. Disabilities, 2013 Ohio 4601 (Ohio Ct. App. 2013).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(I)(1)(a): 4 cases
Hayes v. Oakridge Home, 2009 Ohio 2054 (Ohio 2009). “{¶ 55} R.C. 3721.17 contains the enforcement provision of the Ohio Nursing Home Patients’ Bill of Rights.”
Dennis Freudeman v. Landing of Canton, 702 F.3d 318 (6th Cir. 2012).
W.H. v. Akron City Sch. Dist. Bd. of Edn., 2025 Ohio 531 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
Gamble v. Valley Oaks Care Ctr., 2025 Ohio 570 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(I)(2): 1 case
Brooks v. Montgomery Care Ctr., 2014 Ohio 4644 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(I)(2)(a): 2 cases
Cramer v. Auglaize Acres, 865 N.E.2d 9 (Ohio 2007). “Although punitive damages may not be awarded against a political subdivision, we hold that R.C. 3721.17 expressly imposes liability on county-operated nursing homes for violations of R.”
Cunning v. Windsor House, Inc., 2023 Ohio 352 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023). “” The trial court determined that the NHRBR explicitly provides for recovery of compensatory damages under R.C. 3721.17 and that “there is no language in the statute that prohibits an additional recovery under the common law.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(I)(2)(b): 3 cases
Hayes v. Oakridge Home, 2009 Ohio 2054 (Ohio 2009). “{¶ 55} R.C. 3721.17 contains the enforcement provision of the Ohio Nursing Home Patients’ Bill of Rights.”
Cramer v. Auglaize Acres, 865 N.E.2d 9 (Ohio 2007). “Although punitive damages may not be awarded against a political subdivision, we hold that R.C. 3721.17 expressly imposes liability on county-operated nursing homes for violations of R.”
Cunning v. Windsor House, Inc., 2023 Ohio 352 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023). “” The trial court determined that the NHRBR explicitly provides for recovery of compensatory damages under R.C. 3721.17 and that “there is no language in the statute that prohibits an additional recovery under the common law.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(I)(2)(c): 1 case
Hayes v. Oakridge Home, 2009 Ohio 2054 (Ohio 2009). “{¶ 55} R.C. 3721.17 contains the enforcement provision of the Ohio Nursing Home Patients’ Bill of Rights.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(I)(l)(a): 3 cases
Hayes v. Oakridge Home, 2009 Ohio 2054 (Ohio 2009). “{¶ 55} R.C. 3721.17 contains the enforcement provision of the Ohio Nursing Home Patients’ Bill of Rights.”
O'Toole v. Denihan, 889 N.E.2d 505 (Ohio 2008). “We agreed with the court of appeals that the term “person” in R.C. 3721.17(I)(1) was too general to expressly impose liability on an employee of a political subdivision.”
Whitley v. River's Bend Health Care, 916 N.E.2d 515 (Ohio Ct. App. 2009). “{¶ 24} The flaw in appellants’ argument, however, is that the cited cases involve language in R.C. 3721.17 that has since been repealed.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 3721.17(I)(l)(b)(ii): 1 case
Whitley v. River's Bend Health Care, 916 N.E.2d 515 (Ohio Ct. App. 2009). “{¶ 24} The flaw in appellants’ argument, however, is that the cited cases involve language in R.C. 3721.17 that has since been repealed.”
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