Children with emotional or behavioral challenges are extremely vulnerable. Their conditions can be difficult to treat in an outpatient setting, so they may be removed from their home to receive treatment in a residential facility. Tragically, there is a long history of patients at these facilities suffering sexual abuse.
The Fairmount Behavioral Health sexual abuse lawsuits seek justice for survivors. If you were sexually abused as a child or adolescent at the facility and are ready to hold the perpetrators accountable, contact an attorney. Phillips Law Group offers compassionate and effective legal representation for survivors of institutional sexual abuse.
Fairmount Behavioral Health Systems offers residential treatment for children and adolescents suffering from psychiatric disorders. It is owned and operated by Universal Health Systems (UHS), one of four companies that the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance investigated for two years. The investigation produced a 2024 report that found systemic physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in residential treatment facilities for children and adolescents.
Allegations of abuse at the Fairmount facility include sexual abuse of patients by staff members. They also include failure to protect patients from other patients perpetrating sexual crimes.
Scores of former patients have filed lawsuits against Fairmount Behavioral Health and its parent company UHS. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group are interested in speaking with people who suffered sexual abuse at the Fairmount Behavioral Health facility about pursuing legal action.
Survivors who experienced sexual abuse prior to November 26, 2019 and were 18 or older at the time have only two years from the date of the abuse, or the date they recalled the abuse, to file a lawsuit. A survivor who was under 18 when the abuse occurred has until their 30th birthday to file a lawsuit. If the survivor was under 29 years old in 2022, they may be able to file a claim under federal law.
The state extended the statute of limitations for some sexual abuse claims in 2019 by enacting 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5533(b)(2). A survivor who was under 18 when they were abused has until their 55th birthday to file a claim, and someone who suffered sexual abuse between the ages of 18 and 24 must file a claim by their 30th birthday. Unfortunately, these time limits only apply when the abuse occurred on or after November 26, 2019.
Some states have passed laws that provide an opportunity for people who suffered institutional sexual abuse to bring a lawsuit, regardless of when the abuse occurred. Pennsylvania has considered such a law, but unfortunately it has not passed. Efforts are ongoing, however, and any survivor who is time-barred from pursuing a sexual abuse lawsuit against Fairmount Behavioral Health should discuss their claim with a Phillips Law Group attorney who can help them explore other possible legal options.
A survivor’s civil claim against Fairmount and its parent company could lead to financial compensation. A survivor’s compensation, or damages, could include:
A survivor may also ask for punitive damages, which is an additional sum the defendants must pay as punishment for their actions.
Claims against Fairmont and its parent company can proceed even if the perpetrator is dead or cannot be located, and regardless of whether a survivor complained at the time. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group can provide a detailed assessment of how a sexual abuse lawsuit against Fairmount Behavioral Health might proceed, based on the survivor’s memories of the abuse, the evidence available, and the timeframe.
If you were ever a patient at Fairmount Behavioral Health and experienced sexual abuse by staff or other patients, you can hold the facility accountable.
Survivors are filing Fairmount Behavioral Health sexual abuse lawsuits seeking compensation for the harm they suffered. If you feel ready to join them, contact Philips Law Group for a free consultation.
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