When drug rehab patients suffer harm in a facility that agreed to protect them, the patient is not at fault.
Families can take action to hold a facility financially liable for the consequences of an overdose or a tragic suicide.
Families can also report facilities that break the law and cause harm to the State of California to spark an investigation.
For help in holding a negligent facility fully liable, contact a skilled attorney for a free case consultation.
Reporting a Licensed California Drug Treatment Center
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the only state entity that can license drug treatment centers. They inspect and monitor businesses that provide licensable services. This can include incidental medical services, professional counseling, and treatment planning.
Facilities must keep their licensing current. The DHCS wants to know if a licensed facility is negligent in its duty to patients and to follow state ordinances. They can also open full investigations into businesses and individual counselors.
Victims and their family members can fill out a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services – Complaint Form to get the ball rolling.
Here they can provide:
- Contact information
- A short description of the issue or incident
- Information about a specific staff member (e.g., security team member, counselor, nurse)
Victims can also call the Licensing and Certification Division:
Public Number
(916) 322-2911
Toll Free Number
(877) 685-8333
A California rehab facility wrongful death lawyer can also help families report violations. These investigations and any wrongdoing uncovered can always serve as strong evidence for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Reporting a Sober Living Home
Sober Living Homes in California usually aren’t licensed by the DHCS. These are homes that usually provide living quarters in residential homes for residents usually coming out of detox. They would provide peer support and accountability, but usually no medical monitoring that would require licensing.
The DHCS wouldn’t usually investigate problems at a recovery home. This could also be the case when dealing with faith-based rehab homes. However, inspectors would be interested if a sober living home suddenly began providing services it wasn’t licensed for. These unregulated services could definitely contribute to harm for a resident.
To report a Sober Living Home, you can complete an online Complaint Form, FAX or mail your concern to:
Department of Health Care Services
Licensing and Certification Division
P.O. Box 997413
MS# 2601
Sacramento, CA 95899-7413
Public Number
(916) 322-2911
Fax form to
(916) 440-5094
Sober living businesses are also subject to city and county ordinances and can be reported to local authorities in some cases.
When You’ve Been The Victim of Rehab Fraud
Fraud is another risk when dealing with rehab networks that are seeking profit over recovery.
It’s usually a financial crime, such as charging your insurer for detox services that weren’t provided. However, some shady tactics can put vulnerable patients at further risk.
Facilities can engage in “Patient Brokering.” This is an illegal method of recruiting patients. It often means paying agents or staff at other facilities across the nation to send potential patients the facility’s way.
Another type of fraud involves something known as a “patient mill.” It’s an intentional cycle that keeps patients rotating between levels of care to squeeze the maximum out of insurance companies.
Families who suspect these strategies are in use can contact the agencies below:
California Department of Insurance (CDI)
1-800-927-4357
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
(This is also the place to contact regarding false advertising on the part of a drug rehab company)
Reporting Rehab Criminal Behavior
Rehabs can also fail to keep patients safe from violent offenders or those with a history of sexual assault. They may even hire someone with a criminal past.
If your loved one has been physically or sexually assaulted, you need to make sure it’s been reported to the local authorities. That can include the police or sheriff’s department, and the County’s District Attorney’s Office.
This might also include reporting a staff member who is also a drug dealer.
See: Can I hold a rehab facility responsible if I’m in another state?
Contact Us if a Rehab Facility Allowed Your Loved One to Get Hurt.
Attorney Martin Gasparian offers a free, confidential consultation to victims and their families. Families may need a lawyer’s help after a loved one is hurt or allowed to die (e.g., allowed to overdose) due to the negligence of a California rehab facility.
Call us today or fill out a free case review form. There’s no obligation for this free case consultation. However, if you need a lawyer’s help, your family doesn’t have to worry about having the money to hire representation. Mr. Gasparian doesn’t charge anything unless the family’s case is won. Then his fee comes out of the settlement that a negligent rehab owner’s insurer must pay.