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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Hello Neli,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Here’s the applicable statute. It does not say the resident must die
<i>in the facility</i>. That’s one interpretation, but another is <i>outside </i>
the facility. What if, for example, the resident had gone home for the weekend to visit family and died?
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The prior two sentences in this statute may also give you a hook. They require full disclosure of the conditions and acknowledgment in writing. Look at the admission contract
for that. The contract must be consistent with the law, per subsection (2).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">There is not a direct private right of action for violation of RCW 70.129, the residents rights statute. RCW 70.129.170. But I think your client’s instinct that it’s unconscionable
is on the right track. Depending on the facts and the contract wording, it may rise to a Consumer Protection Act violation as a deceptive or unfair business practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I also would question the appropriateness of the admission decision. Assisted living facilities aren’t supposed to admit people who are very sick. What was his condition
at admission? What did the ALF say it could do? If he suddenly got sick at the ALF, was there neglect?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.75pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:""",serif;color:black">RCW <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70.129.150">
<span style="color:#7DAB8A">70.129.150</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:3.75pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in">
<b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:""",serif;color:black">Disclosure of fees and notice requirements</span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">—</span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:""",serif;color:black">Deposits.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:""",serif;color:black">(1) Prior to admission, all long-term care facilities or nursing facilities licensed under chapter
<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.51"><b><span style="color:#2B674D">18.51</span></b></a> RCW that require payment of an admissions fee, deposit, or a minimum stay fee, by or on behalf of a person seeking admission to the long-term care
facility or nursing facility, shall provide the resident, or his or her representative, full disclosure in writing in a language the resident or his or her representative understands, a statement of the amount of any admissions fees, deposits, prepaid charges,
or minimum stay fees. The facility shall also disclose to the person, or his or her representative, the facility's advance notice or transfer requirements, prior to admission. In addition, the long-term care facility or nursing facility shall also
<i>fully disclose</i> in writing prior to admission what portion of the deposits, admissions fees, prepaid charges, or minimum stay fees will be refunded to the resident or his or her representative if the resident leaves the long-term care facility or nursing
facility. Receipt of the disclosures required under this subsection must be <i>acknowledged in writing</i>. If the facility does not provide these disclosures, the deposits, admissions fees, prepaid charges, or minimum stay fees may not be kept by the facility.
<b><u>If a resident dies or is hospitalized or</u> is transferred to another facility for more appropriate care and does not return to the original facility, the facility shall refund any deposit or charges already paid less the facility's per diem rate for
the days the resident actually resided or reserved or retained a bed in the facility notwithstanding any minimum stay policy or discharge notice requirements, except that the facility may retain an additional amount to cover its reasonable, actual expenses
incurred as a result of a private-pay resident's move, not to exceed five days' per diem charges</b>, unless the resident has given advance notice in compliance with the admission agreement. All long-term care facilities or nursing facilities covered under
this section are required to refund any and all refunds due the resident or his or her representative within thirty days from the resident's date of discharge from the facility. Nothing in this section applies to provisions in contracts negotiated between
a nursing facility or long-term care facility and a certified health plan, health or disability insurer, health maintenance organization, managed care organization, or similar entities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:""",serif;color:black">(2) Where a long-term care facility or nursing facility requires the execution of an admission contract by or on behalf of an individual seeking
admission to the facility, the terms of the contract shall be consistent with the requirements of this section, and the terms of an admission contract by a long-term care facility shall be consistent with the requirements of this chapter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:""",serif;color:black">[
<a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/1997-98/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/House/1850-S2.SL.pdf?cite=1997%20c%20392%20§%20206;">
<b><span style="color:#2B674D">1997 c 392 § 206;</span></b></a> <a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/1993-94/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/House/2154-S2.SL.pdf?cite=1994%20c%20214%20§%2016.">
<b><span style="color:#2B674D">1994 c 214 § 16.</span></b></a>]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Hope that helps.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">FYI, I drafted the above statute for the LTC Ombudsman years ago. Sorry it’s so convoluted!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Jeff<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Jeff B. Crollard<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Crollard Law Office, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Northgate Executive Center II<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">9725 3<sup>rd</sup> Ave NE, Suite 600<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Seattle, WA 98115-2061<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Phone: 206-623-3333<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Fax: 206-623-3838<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:jbc@crollardlaw.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">jbc@crollardlaw.com</span></a>
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This email is confidential and may contain information that is protected by attorney-client, work product or other privileges. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination,
use or reliance upon its contents is prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify me and then delete the email.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Neli Espe, J.D. - Olympic Legal<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 9, 2019 12:12 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com; author.nameemail <solo-and-small-practice-section@list.wsba.org><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Assisted Living - Private Pay Agreement<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listmates, <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">PNC placed spouse in assisted living and signed a contract which states that 30-day notice is required for person to move out. Client was required and paid for the full month a substantial amount of money. Spouse was very sick and after
only a couple of days requested to go home to essentially pass away in peace. Spouse in fact away in a day or so.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The facility refuses to consider issuing a refund as its agreement states that the 30-day notice requirement is subject to two exceptions only: <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">either person passes away in the facility or <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">has to move to the hospital.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">PNC is quite upset and feels this is potentially unconscionable. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Would anyone practicing in this area be available to help? Are such clauses common practice in the assisted living industry?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Neli Espe<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#5BD2E6">________________________________</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Eurostile",serif;color:#1B40AF">Neli Espe, J.D. | Olympic Legal </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Eurostile",serif;color:#133FE9"> T: 360.630.3635</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Eurostile",serif;color:#133FE9"> W; <a href="http://olympiclegal.com">olympiclegal.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Eurostile",serif;color:#133FE9">2114 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, WA</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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