AARP Foundation Legal Advocacy for Older Adults

On the Docket

Current Litigation Cases

Follow cases in which attorneys with AARP Foundation represent a party. The cases listed in this docket are in reverse chronological order of the filing or decision dates.

Recent Amicus Cases

The amicus cases in this docket appear in reverse chronoloical order of the filing or decision dates.

Recent Cases

St. Clare's broken pension promise image

Hospital Workers' Suit Over Pension Can Proceed

Court decides that retired hospital workers in Schenectady, NY, can proceed with their lawsuit over the reduction or elimination of promised pension benefits. Read Court's Decision on Motion to Dismiss (PDF), Press Release on Motion, Decision on Appeal (PDF), Press Release on Appeal

Defending the Right to Live Independently

A class-action suit on behalf of nursing facility residents in D.C. who are being denied the right to supportive care in their home communities goes to trial. Read Announcement (PDF), Opening Brief (PDF), Appellant's Reply Brief (PDF), Opinion (PDF), Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (PDF) filed March 9, 2022

N.H. Case Highlights Dangers of Institutional Care

Older adults and people with disabilities in New Hampshire may now proceed with a lawsuit over their right to avoid potentially dangerous nursing facility care and instead receive care in their own homes. Read Complaint (PDF), Press Release, Article, Decision on Motion to Dismiss (PDF), Press Release on Motion to Dismiss, Article on Motion

senior man in wheelchair thinking and looking out window

Lawsuit Settled Against Adult Care Facilities

The settlement requires the facilities to end discrimination against individuals with mobility impairments and to admit them on the same basis as other applicants. Read Complaint (PDF), Press Release filing, Opposition Brief (PDF), Settlement Agreement (PDF), Press Release settlement

Critical Dental Care Protected

A district court in California granted AARP Foundation’s request to nullify (or “vacate”) a decision by CMS that effectively eliminated access to critical dental care for Medicaid beneficiaries in California nursing facilities. Read Complaint (PDF), Press Release, Motion for Judgment (PDF), Decision (PDF), LinkedIn Op-Ed, Marsh Ryerson

Senior Man in Wheelchair looking out of a window in a hospital corridor.

Stricter Penalties for Nursing Facilities

After AARP Foundation filed suit, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reversed course and restored stricter per-day penalties for nursing facility violations that risked the health and well-being of residents. Read Complaint (PDF), Opening Press Release, Article, Press Release (7/28/2021, CMS reversal on penalties)

A Joint Campaign Between AARP Foundation Attorneys and The National Consumer Voice Vigorously Fights Elder Abuse in Nursing Facilities

Bruised Hands of Elderly Woman in Emergency Room

Talevski v. Health & Hospital Corp. of Marion Cty. Consistent with our brief the Seventh Circuit found that the federal Nursing Home Reform Act creates a private right of action under section 1983 to enforce a violation of resident’s right to be free of chemical restraints and illegal discharges. Decision (PDF) (7/27/2021)

Summary Judgment Against Nursing Facility for Patient Dumping, Read Decision Ruling (4/15/2021), Complaint (PDF), MSA Order (4/19/2022) "Her Son Says She Was a Victim of Nursing Home Dumping," by Jessica Ravitz, the case story about Gloria Single. Read more

"Finding Real Solutions for Behavioral Health Needs in Persons with Dementia," with Kelly Bagby, VP AARP Foundation Litigation; Sue Renz, Program Director/Senior Lecturer UPenn School of Nursing; Lori Smetanka, moderator, The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.

"Avoiding Drugs as Chemical Restraints," a discussion between AARP Foundation Litigation Attorney, Kelly Bagby with partnering organization The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care's Lori Smetanka, July 8, 2020.