Fairmount Behavioral Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Fairmount Behavioral Health System in Philadelphia has faced repeated allegations of sexual abuse, neglect, and institutional failures that have left vulnerable patients—many of them minors—exposed to serious harm. As a psychiatric treatment facility owned and operated by Universal Health Services (UHS), one of the largest behavioral health providers in the country, Fairmount has a long history of failing to protect the very individuals it is meant to serve.

Families turn to facilities like Fairmount in times of crisis, trusting that their loved ones will receive the care and supervision they need. But for far too many patients, the reality has been the opposite. Investigations, lawsuits, and media reports have exposed patterns of abuse, including sexual assaults by staff members, attacks by other residents due to a lack of supervision, and a corporate culture that prioritizes profit over patient safety. Instead of receiving treatment in a secure and compassionate environment, residents at Fairmount have been subjected to traumatic experiences that can have lifelong consequences.

If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse at Fairmount Behavioral Health System, you are not alone. Survivors have the right to seek justice, hold responsible parties accountable, and demand changes to prevent future abuse. Our Pennsylvania sex abuse lawyers are here to help. Call us at 800-553-8082 to discuss your case in a free, confidential consultation.

A History of Sexual Abuse at Fairmount Behavioral Health System

For years, Fairmount has been at the center of lawsuits and investigations involving sexual and physical abuse of its patients. The facility, which treats children, adolescents, and adults with mental health and behavioral challenges, has repeatedly failed to implement proper safeguards to protect its residents.

One former patient reported that she was raped by a Fairmount technician while staying at the facility. She had been placed in a mixed-gender unit rather than the women’s trauma wing, and the attack occurred when the staff member followed her into a private area. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Fairmount initially dismissed her claims. The staff member later pleaded guilty to institutional sexual assault, confirming that the victim’s report had been truthful all along.

Sexual violence between residents has also been a major issue at Fairmount. In another lawsuit, a woman alleged that she was sexually assaulted by another patient—who was a registered sex offender with a previous conviction for rape. Despite this individual’s known history, Fairmount failed to implement protections that would have prevented him from encountering vulnerable female residents.

These cases are not isolated incidents. From 2015 to 2019, Philadelphia police responded to nearly 100 calls at Fairmount for reports of sexual assault, physical abuse, and other violent crimes. One hundred calls.  Can you imagine? The facility’s consistent failure to address these issues has created an environment where abuse is allowed to continue unchecked.

How Fairmount and Universal Health Services Have Failed Their Patients

The pattern of abuse at Fairmount is not just the result of a few bad actors. It reflects widespread negligence at the institutional level. Time and again, Fairmount has failed to implement the necessary policies and safeguards to protect its patients, leading to repeated incidents of sexual violence.

Some of the most common failures seen in lawsuits against Fairmount and Universal Health Services include:

• Hiring and retaining staff members without proper background checks, allowing predators to work closely with vulnerable patients.
• Ignoring complaints of sexual misconduct, allowing abusers to continue working at the facility even after multiple allegations.
• Failing to supervise residents appropriately, leaving patients exposed to assaults from other individuals who should have been more closely monitored.
• Understaffing the facility, making it easier for abuse to go unnoticed and more difficult for victims to get help.
• Prioritizing corporate profits over patient safety, cutting costs in ways that make the facility less secure and less capable of preventing harm.

When institutions fail in these ways, the consequences are devastating. Patients who enter Fairmount in need of mental health treatment often leave with even greater trauma, carrying the emotional and psychological scars of sexual abuse.

Legal Rights for Survivors of Sexual Abuse at Fairmount Behavioral Health System

Survivors of sexual abuse at Fairmount Behavioral Health System have the right to pursue legal action against the facility, Universal Health Services, and any other responsible parties. Holding these institutions accountable can help prevent further abuse, ensure that survivors receive the support they need, and force systemic changes in how these facilities operate.

Lawsuits against Fairmount and UHS often include claims for:

• Negligence in failing to prevent sexual abuse.
• Negligent hiring, training, and supervision of staff members.
• Failure to properly investigate and report abuse.
• Breach of the facility’s duty to provide a safe environment for patients.

Survivors who pursue legal action may be eligible for financial compensation to help cover medical and mental health expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages. In cases where Fairmount and UHS have acted with extreme negligence, courts may also award punitive damages to further hold these institutions accountable.

Why Legal Action Against Fairmount Matters

Filing a lawsuit is not just about financial compensation. It is a way to expose the systemic failures that have allowed abuse to occur and to push for changes that protect future patients. When survivors come forward and take legal action, they help shine a light on the widespread problems within Fairmount and other UHS facilities.

Fairmount has failed its patients for far too long. The lawsuits and investigations have made it clear that this is not an isolated problem. It is a deeply ingrained issue within the facility’s operations. If those responsible are not held accountable, more vulnerable individuals will continue to suffer.

If you or a loved one has been sexually abused at Fairmount Behavioral Health System, we can help. Our legal team has extensive experience handling cases against psychiatric and behavioral health facilities, and we are committed to fighting for justice for survivors.

Call 800-553-8082 today for a free, confidential consultation, or fill out our online contact form to have a member of our team reach out to you. You do not have to go through this alone.