Illinois nursing home operator’s problems continue; poor care and safety hazards alleged by federal inspectors

A Lake County nursing home as been cited as one of the worst performing skilled nursing homes in the country, the Post Tribune reported.

The facility is owned by Illinois nursing home operator Eric Rothner and a family of companies owned or controlled by his family. They also own Northlake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Merrillville, which was closed earlier this month. He and his family own shares in nearly two dozen nursing homes in four states, including South Shore Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Chicago, which also has been cited for poor performance.

Chicago nursing home neglect cases have continued to make news in the wake of a series of raids and investigative media reports that have outlined a host of issues. As we reported on our Illinois Nursing home Abuse Lawyer Blog, state lawmakers recently passed an overhaul of the state system, which awaits the governor’s signature.

Sebo’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hobart has been added to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services list of poorly performing nursing homes. The Special Focus Facilities list includes homes that have demonstrated a pattern of severe quality and patient safety problems over a period of years.

A spokesman for Evanston, Illinois-based Extended Care Clinical, the parent company, said there was nobody available to comment.

The problems at the Sebo’s home date back to at least 1999. The home received 16 substantiated complaints from state inspectors between 2007 and 2009. Substandard quality of care designations were made in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009.

If you are concerned about the conditions of a Chicago nursing home or are dealing with a suspected case of Chicago nursing home neglect or abuse, contact Abels & Annes today for a free and confidential appointmentto discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS.