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The Terrace Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Violations, Ratings & Legal Action
Waukegan, Illinois, is a historic city located approximately 36 miles north of downtown Chicago, along the western shore of Lake Michigan. Waukegan is experiencing a significant rise in its senior demographic, influencing local services such as healthcare, housing, and skilled nursing facilities.
The Terrace Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a skilled nursing facility emphasizing community and dignity for its guests. However, The Terrace struggles with staffing issues, which can compromise patient safety. The total number of nurse hours per patient per day is almost an hour less than the Illinois state average.
You did everything you could to ensure your loved one would be safe in an IL facility. You gathered information, watched videos, and may have even taken a tour of different facilities. You’ve done your due diligence and taken the time to learn as much as possible to ensure the care and safety of your family member, but what happens when you learn that the facility you chose has violated your trust?
If you have a loved one who has suffered from abuse or neglect in a nursing home, you need the support of anexperienced nursing home abuse lawyer. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers understand what is required to help families recover. Contact them for a free consultation about the best approach to protect your loved one’s rights and pursue full compensation for the harm they’ve endured.
Settlements Recovered by Our Experienced Attorneys
Our experienced attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have a proven track record of securing significant settlements for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. Below are examples of the compensation we’ve recovered for people who trusted us to advocate for their loved ones.
- $2,150,000 – Wrongful death settlement for a patient who developed bed sores and sepsis while in a care facility.
- $1,700,000 – Nursing home fall claim involving a subdural hematoma and hip fracture.
- $1,500,000 – Recovery for the family of a dementia patient who ingested poison from an unlocked chemical storage closet.
Facility Profile: The Terrace
Address: 1615 Sunset Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60087
CMS Overall Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
CMS Health Inspection Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
CMS Staffing Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
CMS Quality Measures Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Federal Fines (Last 3 Years): $108,887
Payment Denials: 0
Ownership Type: A for-profit corporation with the legal business name of Laureate Terrace Operations LLC
Total Bed Capacity: 115
Consumer Alert: No
Services Provided at The Terrace
The Terrace emphasizes individualized care plans and provides amenities designed to create a home-like environment where guests and residents can enjoy time together. The services offered include:
- Short-term rehab with physical, occupational, and speech therapies to help residents regain their independence and learn information about regaining the strength to return to work or home.
- Dementia care with onsite security.
- Long-term care with numerous treatment options, including wound management, pain management, and cardiac care
- Palliative and hospice care are designed to bring comfort and a sense of peace to guests and patients.
Ongoing activity programs offer guests and residents a sense of community, and there are optional activities, such as religious services and special events for patients to enjoy.
The Terraces’ CMS Ratings
The Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Waukegan, Illinois, has received a 1-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), indicating a “much below average” performance.
The overall rating is determined by information collected during inspection and reporting. These include:
- Health Inspections – Reflects the results of the facility’s three most recent state health inspections and any complaint investigations.
- Staffing – Evaluate the average number of nursing care hours provided to each resident daily.
- Quality Measures (QMs) – Measures how well the facility delivers clinical and physical care to short and long-term patients.
The Terraces’ ratings range from 1-star (much below-average) for staffing to 2-stars (below-average) for quality measures and health inspections. Low ratings often reflect substandard care for a facility’s residents.
Recent Violations and Citations
The Terrace Nursing & Rehabilitation has been cited numerous times in recent years for health and safety violations that raise concerns about the quality of care provided. Over its last three standard health inspections, the facility was cited for 46 deficiencies, including several related to infection control.
The most notable citations from the most recent inspection on January 10, 2025, include:
- Improper Food Handling: The facility failed to procure food from approved sources and did not follow proper standards in food storage, preparation, and service, which are practices essential to resident health and safety.
- Resident Environment: Inspectors cited the facility for not maintaining a safe, clean, and comfortable living environment for its residents.
- Pharmacy Oversight: The facility was also found to be noncompliant with requirements for pharmaceutical services, including not having adequate oversight by a licensed pharmacist.
In addition to these violations, The Terrace was cited for lax security measures regarding guests who were banned from the facility, but were allowed access due to an oversight.
The Impact of Neglect & Abuse Over Nursing Home Residents
Nursing homes exist to help care for vulnerable members of society and provide them with a team of professional staff to ensure their needs are met. When they fail to meet standards of care, the consequences can be dire.
Abuse and neglect in nursing homes can have devastating physical, emotional, and psychological consequences for patients. The effects can range from painful injuries to long-term trauma, and in some cases, wrongful death.
Here are some of the most significant ways elder abuse and neglect impact nursing home residents:
- Physical Health Deterioration: Bedsores, falls, malnutrition, dehydration, and untreated medical conditions are common outcomes of neglect. These issues not only cause pain and discomfort but can also lead to serious complications like infections or sepsis.
- Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Victims of abuse often experience anxiety, depression, and fear. They may become withdrawn, stop participating in activities, or exhibit sudden changes in behavior, especially if they’re unable to communicate what’s happening to them.
- Loss of Dignity and Independence: Being mistreated or ignored in a place where they should feel safe strips residents of their autonomy and self-worth. This can make it harder for them to recover physically or emotionally.
- Increased Risk of Death: In severe cases, neglect and abuse contribute directly to premature death, especially when signs of illness or injury go unnoticed or unaddressed for too long.
Because the impacts are so serious, it’s crucial that nursing home residents, families, and staff know how to recognize the signs of abuse and take legal action when harm occurs. Holding facilities accountable provides justice for victims and helps protect others from future harm.
Nursing Home Residents’ Legal Rights
Several vital laws work together to protect nursing home residents in IL and ensure they receive proper care:
- Illinois Nursing Home Care Act – This state law establishes clear requirements for staffing levels, staff training, and the overall quality of care. It holds facilities accountable for promoting every resident’s health, safety, and well-being.
- Federal Nursing Home Reform Act – This federal law safeguards patients’ rights, including the right to be treated with dignity, to participate in their own care planning, and to live free from abuse, neglect, or unnecessary restraints.
Together, these laws are designed to protect residents and give families legal grounds to take action if a loved one suffers from neglect or abuse in a facility.
What to Do If You Suspect Abuse at The Terrace
If you learn or suspect that a patient is suffering from abuse or neglect, it is imperative that you take action.
Photos, videos, and accurate date and time records play a crucial role in documenting a facility’s care and living conditions. If you have concerns, start by speaking with the facility director. If you are unable to reach them by phone or email, it’s time to elevate the complaint.
If the danger is immediate, remove your loved one from the facility if it’s necessary and feasible to keep them safe. You can report abuse and neglect to the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-252-4343 or contact IL Adult Protective Services at 1-866-800-1409.
Secure Expert Legal Counsel!
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our experienced lawyers are committed to helping families find safe, trustworthy care and holding negligent facilities accountable across Illinois.
Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today for a free, confidential consultation. Our experienced personal injury team in Chicago is here to work for your family’s rights and help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve. Call now or fill out our online form to get started.
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.