The legislature intends that long-term care facility or nursing home residents, their family members or guardians, the long-term care ombuds, protection and advocacy personnel identified in RCW 70.129.110(5) (e) and (f), and others who may seek to assist long-term care facility or nursing home residents, use the least formal means available to satisfactorily resolve disputes that may arise regarding the rights conferred by the provisions of this chapter and RCW 18.20.180, 18.51.009, 72.36.037, and 70.128.125. Wherever feasible, direct discussion with facility personnel or administrators should be employed. Failing that, and where feasible, recourse may be sought through state or federal long-term care or nursing home licensing or other regulatory authorities. However, the procedures suggested in this section are cumulative and shall not restrict an agency or person from seeking a remedy provided by law or from obtaining additional relief based on the same facts, including any remedy available to an individual at common law. Chapter 214, Laws of 1994 is not intended to, and shall not be construed to, create any right of action on the part of any individual beyond those in existence under any common law or statutory doctrine. Chapter 214, Laws of 1994 is not intended to, and shall not be construed to, operate in derogation of any right of action on the part of any individual in existence on June 9, 1994.

Terms Used In Washington Code 70.129.170

  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
  • Recourse: An arrangement in which a bank retains, in form or in substance, any credit risk directly or indirectly associated with an asset it has sold (in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) that exceeds a pro rata share of the bank's claim on the asset. If a bank has no claim on an asset it has sold, then the retention of any credit risk is recourse. Source: FDIC