The owners of Somerset Place, a Chicago nursing home, have paid fines amounting to over $20,000 and agreed to surrender the facility’s license.

Until last month, when the facility was closed by the city, it housed over 300 mentally ill patients. The nursing home had been repeatedly cited by authorities for verbal abuse, lack of supervision, and fights. The federal government had already terminated their funding before the nursing home was forced to shut down.

The settlement with the state has allowed the owners to avoid a license-revocation hearing. This means that the group of investors who owned Somerset Place could potentially renew the home’s license.

The owners have refused to admit any wrongdoing.

This is a bitter victory for advocates against nursing home abuse. While the home was shut down, the irresponsible and unrepentant owners could potentially open a new nursing home. If you or someone you love has been the victim of nursing home abuse and neglect, contact the New Jersey nursing home abuse attorneys of Levinson Axelrod at 800-346-5529 as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.