The New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division recently upheld a ruling against Care One at Wellington, a nursing home, for negligence in the care of 83-year-old Renee Sahar. The court's decision, issued on August 24, 2026, awarded nearly $1 million to Sahar's estate after she suffered a broken hip due to a fall at the facility. This case highlights the responsibilities of nursing homes to provide adequate care and the rights of residents under state law.
Renee Sahar was admitted to Care One on March 3, 2016, following a stroke and subsequent rehabilitation. At the time of her admission, she was partially paralyzed, required assistance with daily activities, and suffered from dementia. Her family anticipated that she would eventually return home after completing her rehabilitation. However, on April 6, 2016, she fell at the facility, resulting in a broken hip that required surgery.
After her fall, Renee returned to a rehabilitation center and later lived with her son, Jack Sahar. In January 2018, she filed a complaint against Care One and its parent company, Care One, LLC, alleging nursing negligence and violations of the Nursing Home Responsibilities and Rights of Residents Act (NHA). The case moved through the court system, and after Renee's death from unrelated causes in March 2018, her estate continued the legal action.
The dispute centered on whether Care One was considered a nursing home under the NHA, which would hold it liable for violations of resident rights. Care One argued that it was not a nursing home because Renee was admitted for short-term rehabilitation rather than long-term care. However, the trial judge found that Care One met the definition of a nursing home, as it was licensed as such and provided extended care to residents.
The court ruled that Renee was indeed a resident under the NHA, stating, "Renee received 'extended' care at the facility, qualifying her as a 'resident' under N.J.S.A. 30:13-2(e) with all rights enumerated in N.J.S.A. 30:13-5." The jury ultimately found that Care One had violated the NHA, awarding $525,000 in damages to Renee's estate, along with additional costs and fees, bringing the total recovery to $986,855.68.
In its appeal, Care One raised several arguments, including that the NHA claim did not apply, that the trial judge improperly redacted evidence, and that the jury's verdict was against the weight of the evidence. However, the appellate court found no basis to disturb the trial court's decisions, affirming the jury's verdict and the award.
This ruling is significant as it reinforces the responsibilities of nursing homes to provide adequate care and uphold the rights of residents. It also clarifies that facilities providing rehabilitation services can still be classified as nursing homes under New Jersey law, thereby ensuring that residents are protected under the NHA.
Going forward, this case sets a precedent for similar claims against nursing homes in New Jersey, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe environment and providing appropriate care to residents. It highlights the legal protections available to residents and the potential for significant financial liability for facilities that fail to meet these standards.
Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether Care One plans to appeal this ruling or if there are related cases pending. However, the outcome of this case may influence future litigation involving nursing home negligence and resident rights in New Jersey.