Ex-owner of Lake Zurich assisted living center cited by OSHA

The former owner of a Lake Zurich assisted-living center faces federal safety and health violations after a nurse practitioner was stuck by a needle, authorities said.

The employee was injured in November at what was then called Paradise Park Assisted Living Center, 555 America Court, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The facility changed hands last month and now is called Silverado Senior Living-Lake Zurich, a Silverado administrator said.

Paradise Park still operates facilities in Fox Lake and New Lenox. In a prepared statement released to the Daily Herald, owner James Boris said the company will contest all of the federal allegations.

Silverado is not named in the case.

“While this employee injury does not in any way pertain to Silverado, we would like to note that we are dedicated to the highest quality of care and workplace environment,” Silverado spokeswoman Audrey Knoth said in an email.

Paradise Park faces 17 violations and fines totaling $72,000.

The unidentified nurse practitioner did not require emergency medical treatment after being injured, Labor Department spokeswoman Rhonda Burke said. The violations were uncovered after OSHA investigated the matter, Burke said.

Twelve serious health violations were discovered, including failure to immediately test the blood of someone involved in a needle-stick incident, according to the agency. The company also failed to ensure blood tests results were given to the employee, OSHA said.

Five lesser health and safety violations were cited, all of which concerned record-keeping and training, OSHA said.

The Silverado Senior Living center has room for 100 residents. It specializes in dementia care.