How Long Do You Have to Report Abuse in a Nursing Home?

Guide on how long to report abuse in a nursing home and protect loved ones’ rights.

Aug 25, 2025 | By Dempsey Kingsland Osteen | Read Time: 4 minutes | Nursing Home Abuse

Families don’t expect to question the care inside a nursing home. But when a loved one shows signs of distress, unexplained injuries, or changes in condition, families need to know what steps they can take—and how long they have to take them. In Kansas City, where cases may fall under Missouri or Kansas law, timelines vary. Understanding how long you have to report abuse in a nursing home isn’t always straightforward, but delays can prevent families from seeking justice. Knowing the rules ahead of time can help protect the person at risk and preserve the option to act. This post outlines how the reporting process works and why time matters. Do you suspect abuse in your loved ones’ nursing home? Don’t be left in the dark. Call us at (816) 421-6868 or contact us online today to get answers from a qualified nursing home abuse attorney at no charge.

Contents hide

1 What Is Nursing Home Abuse?

2 How Can You Report Nursing Home Abuse?

3 How Long Do You Have to Sue a Nursing Home?

3.1 Missouri: Five-Year Deadline, Ten-Year Maximum

3.2 Kansas: Two-Year Limit, Four-Year Cap in Medical Cases

4 When You’re Ready, We’re Here

What Is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse refers to actions (or failures to act) that cause physical harm, emotional distress, sexual violation, or financial loss to a resident. It includes direct violence, harassment, neglect, and deceptive behavior by staff or caregivers There are various types of nursing home abuse. Abuse may come from a single employee, or it may involve multiple people across different shifts and roles. When leadership fails to supervise staff, communicate concerns, or address warning signs, abusive conduct can go unchecked. Examples include:

Striking, slapping, or pushing a resident;
Using restraints to punish rather than protect;
Speaking to a resident with threats, insults, or intimidation;
Touching a resident sexually or exposing them without consent;
Withholding basic needs such as food, water, hygiene, or medication; or
Pressuring a resident to sign papers, give gifts, or provide access to bank accounts.

Residents who experience abuse may become withdrawn, confused, frightened, or physically unstable. Many do not (or cannot) describe what has happened. Families often recognize signs of abuse before anyone else: bruises, sudden weight loss, unusual fear around staff, or calls unanswered for long periods. Concern by itself is enough to act. If you have questions about the care your loved one received inside a long-term care facility, you have the right to raise them.

How Can You Report Nursing Home Abuse?

Many families begin by reporting to the state agency overseeing long-term care facilities. These reports are confidential, and anyone can file, whether you’re a family member, friend, visitor, or caregiver. Because Kansas City spans two states, the correct agency depends on the facility’s location—some fall under Missouri oversight, others under Kansas.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS): 1-800-392-0210, open 24/7; or
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS): 1-800-922-5330, open 24/7.

These reports may lead to inspections, caregiver interviews, medical record reviews, and a formal inquiry into how the facility operates. There is no deadline to report nursing home abuse to the state. But waiting too long can make it harder to investigate what happened. Reports are strongest when submitted soon after concerns arise. Under state law, certain professionals, such as nurses, aides, administrators, and healthcare workers, are mandated reporters. If they suspect abuse or neglect, they are legally required to report it. Reporting nursing home abuse is separate from filing a civil case:

A state investigation addresses care standards and regulatory violations; and
A lawsuit focuses on harm done to the resident and holding the facility accountable.

Both steps may be appropriate. If you’re unsure about how to report or whether what you’ve seen qualifies as abuse, speak to an attorney with experience in nursing home abuse litigation.

How Long Do You Have to Sue a Nursing Home?

You must file civil lawsuits within the legal time limits set by each state. These rules differ by state, and the right to bring a claim is often lost once the deadline passes. In both Missouri and Kansas, the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse relies on when the abuse took place or when it reasonably should have been discovered. Reviewing the facts early makes it easier to preserve records and to confirm if those deadlines still allow for action.

Missouri: Five-Year Deadline, Ten-Year Maximum

In Missouri, you typically have five years to file a nursing home abuse case. That timeline usually begins:

On the date the abuse occurred, or
When the abuse was discovered (or reasonably should have been).

If the mistreatment happened over time, such as repeated neglect, the final incident often starts the five-year countdown. But certain circumstances can change the timeline. Claims involving medical negligence, such as medication errors or misdiagnoses, may fall under a shorter two-year deadline. The filing window may be extended if the resident lacks both mental capacity and a legal guardian. Missouri also sets a ten-year statute of repose. After that point, how long you have to sue a nursing home no longer matters—the case cannot proceed, even if new information emerges.

Kansas: Two-Year Limit, Four-Year Cap in Medical Cases

In Kansas, families typically have two years to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit. That period begins:

On the date the abuse or injury took place, or
When it was reasonably discovered.

However, if the abuse involves medical negligence, such as mistreatment by licensed healthcare staff, Kansas law imposes a strict four-year deadline, regardless of when you discovered the abuse. These cases often involve:

Dangerous medication errors,
Untreated infections or worsening pressure sores, and
Ignored symptoms or medical conditions that staff should have addressed.

Even in severe or life-threatening cases, you lose the right to sue if more than four years have passed since the negligent act.

When You’re Ready, We’re Here

For over 40 years, Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen has stood beside families in Kansas City when the safety of a loved one is at stake. We know what it takes to pursue answers, and we treat each case with the focus and care it deserves. If you’re unsure how long you have to report abuse in a nursing home or whether your concerns rise to the level of abuse, start by speaking with someone who knows the process. We offer free consultations during the week, in the evening, or on weekends. We’re available to meet with clients in the setting that’s most comfortable for them, whether that’s at home, in a care facility, or in another private location. Call us at (816) 421-6868 or contact us online today to speak directly with a nursing home abuse attorney.

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