A USAToday study of the ratings of 15,000 nursing homes in the U.S. shows that 35 percent of nursing homes received 1-star ratings over the past three years. A 5-star rating system for nursing homes was put in place in 2008 by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

In the studied 3-year time period, nursing homes were given 7 ratings. 564, or about 1 in every 25, homes received 1-star ratings every time. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, 1-star ratings are given to nursing homes in which the care is significantly below the average level of care in a state.

In New Jersey, 11 homes consistently received 1-star. Some of the reasons homes received 1-star ratings were abuse, neglect, unlicensed employees, and uncleanliness.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of abuse in a nursing home, contact the New Jersey nursing home abuse attorneys of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. at 800-346-5529 to learn more about how we can help you.