Often times, corporations slip arbitration clauses into the admission papers and process—at a time when the family is justifiably thinking about the loved one’s health, wellbeing, and quality of life. They are not thinking about their preferred method for resolving a hypothetical legal dispute that may or may not occur in the future.

Now, numerous lawmakers have echoed our sentiment by stating that corporations that use predispute arbitration clauses at nursing homes make it more difficult for negligence and abuse victims to seek redress. On September 23, 2015, U.S. Senator Al Franken led a 34-Senator coalition in calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to outlaw predispute arbitration clauses in contracts with long-term care facilities like nursing homes. (Read the letter here)

The letter explains that the “decision to admit yourself or a loved one to a long-term care facility can be difficult. Unfortunately, families often have limited choices due to cost and location constraints. Yet, long-term care facilities sometimes force and often encourage potential residents and their families to waive their legal rights before any harm has occurred and to agree to a dispute resolution forum that may be biased in favor of the facility.”

And, because families are rightly focused on their loved one’s wellbeing during the admission process, the letter explains that “only an arbitration agreement that is entered into after an incident has occurred and after a resident has considered all their legal rights can ensure that resident and their families are not deprived of their rights.”

No family wants to believe that a nursing home or an assisted living facility would hurt their loved one, but it happens all too often. If you or someone you know has been involved in a nursing-home negligence or abuse incident, consult with an attorney immediately to discuss your rights.