New Allegations Join String of Legal Actions Against UHS Mental Health Facilities
A lawsuit filed December 12, 2024, alleges systematic sexual abuse of minors at Chicago’s Hartgrove Hospital, with attorneys claiming more than 100 former patients have stepped forward with similar accusations. The plaintiff, who was approximately 11 years old during the alleged incidents, describes repeated sexual abuse by male employees and forced sexual acts between minor patients. The allegations surface as Hartgrove Hospital announces a $20 million expansion while its parent company, United Health Services (UHS), faces multiple legal challenges over patient abuse at other facilities.
5 Key Points
- More than 100 former minor patients have come forward with abuse allegations against Hartgrove Hospital and other UHS facilities.
- The lawsuit details the sexual abuse of an 11-year-old patient by male employees.
- Hartgrove Hospital plans a $20 million expansion to accommodate over 200 patients.
- UHS faces $895 million in recent legal judgments from other abuse cases.
- Thirteen UHS-owned juvenile mental health facilities have closed following abuse allegations.
Child Abuse Allegations Detail Systemic Misconduct
The lawsuit filed in Chicago details allegations of systemic sexual abuse at Hartgrove Hospital, where male employees allegedly assaulted minor patients and forced children to perform sexual acts on other patients. Attorney Martin Gould of Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley revealed that staff members told children these acts were “part of therapy.” The plaintiff, who was approximately 11 years old during the alleged incidents, describes repeated sexual abuse and rape by male employees. More than 100 former minor patients have come forward with similar allegations against Hartgrove Hospital and other UHS facilities in Illinois, suggesting a broader pattern of misconduct.
Hospital Expansion Plans Raise Safety Concerns
Hartgrove Hospital’s announcement of a $20 million expansion plan has drawn criticism from plaintiff attorneys, who question the facility’s commitment to patient safety. The expansion would increase the hospital’s capacity to more than 200 patients. UHS responded by stating it “rejects the narrative that has been alleged in this lawsuit and intends to aggressively defend against these claims through the litigation process.” The expansion plans proceed despite mounting legal challenges and allegations of systematic abuse at UHS facilities nationwide.
Legal Consequences Mount for UHS Facilities
United Health Services faces substantial legal and financial penalties from abuse allegations across its network. A Virginia jury awarded $360 million in damages for abuse allegations at Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents. UHS’s Pavilion Behavioral Health System received a $535 million judgment this spring. The company previously paid $122 million to settle improper patient care allegations with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2020. A July 2022 Senate Finance Committee report titled “Warehouses of Neglect” documented systematic abuse in UHS youth residential treatment facilities. At least thirteen UHS-owned juvenile mental health facilities have closed following abuse and neglect allegations, demonstrating a concerning pattern across the company’s operations.
FAQ
Q: What can I do if my child has been a victim of sexual abuse or exploitation?
A: If your child has experienced sexual abuse or exploitation, legal options may be available. Contact our legal experts to learn about your family’s rights and start a free, confidential case review.
Q: What specific abuse allegations does the new lawsuit contain?
A: The lawsuit alleges male employees at Hartgrove Hospital sexually abused and raped an 11-year-old patient and forced minor patients to perform sexual acts on other children under the guise of “therapy.”
Q: How many victims have come forward at Hartgrove Hospital?
A: More than 100 former minor patients of Hartgrove Hospital and other UHS facilities in Illinois have stepped forward with abuse allegations.
Q: What is UHS’s response to these allegations?
A: UHS stated it “rejects the narrative that has been alleged in this lawsuit and intends to aggressively defend against these claims through the litigation process.”
Q: How much has UHS paid in recent abuse-related settlements and judgments?
A: UHS faces $895 million in recent judgments ($360 million for Cumberland Hospital, $535 million for Pavilion) and paid $122 million to the Department of Justice in 2020 for improper patient care.
Q: How many UHS mental health facilities have closed due to abuse allegations?
A: At least thirteen UHS-owned juvenile mental health facilities have closed following abuse and neglect allegations.
Q: What changes is Hartgrove Hospital planning?
A: Hartgrove Hospital announced a $20 million expansion to increase its capacity to more than 200 patients despite safety concerns raised by plaintiff attorneys.
Q: What government oversight has investigated UHS facilities?
A: The Senate Finance Committee released a report titled “Warehouses of Neglect” in July 2022, detailing systematic abuse in UHS youth residential treatment facilities.
Citations
Christine Flores (December 12, 2024). Lawsuit adds to prior claims of sexual abuse at Hartgrove Hospital, other UHS facilities. AOL News. https://www.aol.com/lawsuit-adds-prior-claims-sexual-182659979.html
