Hartgrove Behavioral Health System in Chicago, operated by UHS of Hartgrove, Inc., a subsidiary of Universal Health Services (UHS), has been the subject of lawsuits and investigations alleging that children and adolescents in psychiatric care were exposed to sexual abuse, violence, and unsafe conditions. Lawsuit Information Center+1
Recent lawsuits claim that Hartgrove and related UHS entities failed to implement basic protections, ignored warnings, and prioritized profits over patient safety. Work with a UHS of Hartgrove Hospital Sex Abuse & Institutional Negligence Lawyer to discover your legal options.
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The Facility and Its Patient Population
Hartgrove provides inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment to:
- Adults with psychiatric disorders
Children admitted for care are often in crisis and highly vulnerable, making robust supervision, staffing, and safeguarding measures essential.
Recent Lawsuits and Allegations
In 2025, a federal lawsuit Jane Doe T.G. v. UHS of Hartgrove, Inc., et al. was filed in the Northern District of Illinois. According to the complaint and public summaries: Sauder Schelkopf+1
- A teenage patient alleges she experienced repeated sexual and emotional abuse during three hospitalizations between 2010 and 2011.
- The complaint claims abuse occurred in both clinical and educational settings and included coerced sexual contact between patients, harassment by staff, and retaliation when she resisted advances.
- The lawsuit alleges violations of Title IX, negligent supervision and hiring, and institutional “betrayal” within a facility that had already faced state and federal scrutiny.
Additional public reporting describes:
- Allegations that Hartgrove failed to properly report suspected child abuse as required by Illinois law
- Reports of victims being dismissed or retaliated against after reporting abuse
Work with a UHS of Hartgrove Hospital Sex Abuse & Institutional Negligence Attorney from our firm today.
History of Regulatory Concerns
Over the past decade, multiple investigations and reviews have raised red flags about conditions at Hartgrove:
- State and federal reviews have cited the facility for patient-monitoring failures, safety deficiencies, and poor quality of care. Lawsuit Information Center
- Illinois regulators and child-welfare agencies have issued citations related to protection of minors and incident reporting. Lawsuit Information Center+1
A quality-of-care review referenced in recent litigation described patients as being exposed to “unacceptable risks of harm” and criticized clinical and management practices. Sauder Schelkopf+1
Common Issues Alleged in Hartgrove-Related Cases
Public complaints and reports often describe:
- Sexual abuse or exploitation by staff or other patients
- Inadequate supervision in high-risk areas (e.g., “quiet rooms,” units for youth)
- Failure to promptly report suspected abuse to child-protective authorities or law enforcement
- Understaffing that made proper monitoring impossible
These allegations, if proven, can form the basis for individual lawsuits or broader institutional claims.
Who Might Have a Claim?
You may have potential legal options if:
- You or your child were a patient at Hartgrove Behavioral Health System and suffered sexual abuse, physical abuse, or severe neglect
- You reported abuse or safety concerns and felt ignored, blamed, or retaliated against
- You later learned that staff or management knew about prior incidents but failed to protect you or your child
Even incidents from years past may still be actionable depending on state law, the age of the victim, and when the abuse was discovered.
How Phillips Law Group Helps Survivors and Families
Phillips Law Group can:
- Provide a confidential review of what happened during your or your child’s time at Hartgrove
- Help you obtain medical records and incident reports where possible
- Work alongside co-counsel experienced in psychiatric-facility litigation when appropriate
- Pursue compensation for long-term therapy, medical care, lost opportunities, and emotional harm
- Seek systemic reforms that improve safety for current and future patients
Our goal is not only to seek justice for individual survivors, but also to help drive change in institutions entrusted with mental-health care.
FAQs
Can psychiatric facilities be held liable for patient-on-patient abuse?
Yes. Facilities can be liable if they fail to provide adequate supervision, ignore known risks, or do not take reasonable steps to protect vulnerable patients.
What if my child’s abuse happened years ago while at Hartgrove?
Illinois and other states have specific rules for child sexual abuse cases that may extend time limits. An attorney can analyze your specific timeline.
Will a lawsuit reveal my mental-health records?
Some records may be relevant in litigation, but there are strong privacy protections. Attorneys can work to limit disclosure to what is necessary for your case.
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Contact a UHS of Hartgrove Hospital Sex Abuse & Institutional Negligence Attorney
If you or your child suffered abuse or serious neglect while under the care of UHS of Hartgrove Hospital or another behavioral-health facility, you can speak with a UHS of Hartgrove Hospital Sex Abuse & Institutional Negligence Lawyer confidentially.
Call or reach out through our online form for a free consultation.
Disclaimer: Allegations described here are drawn from public court filings and investigative reports. Defendants are entitled to contest these allegations, and no liability is assumed unless established through settlement, verdict, or official findings.