FAQ: Acadia Healthcare Patient Rights Violations
If you or a loved one were mistreated at an Acadia Healthcare facility, it’s crucial to understand your legal options. Attorneys at Cohen & Malad, LLP are actively investigating claims and helping former patients who were harmed at Acadia facilities. Contact Cohen & Malad, LLP today or call 317.636-6481 for a free, confidential discussion of your rights.
Below are some frequently asked questions to help you learn more about how patient rights may have been violated and what steps to take.
1. What is Acadia Healthcare, and why are they being investigated?
Acadia Healthcare is one of the largest behavioral healthcare chains in the U.S., with 258 locations in 38 states. These facilities offer services for mental health, behavioral disorders, and substance use, with various levels of care like detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient programs and medication-assisted treatment. In 2023, the mental healthcare giant generated about $2.92 billion in revenue.
Now, Acadia facilities across the country are under intense scrutiny after former patients reported troubling and potentially illegal practices. Though some investigations into these claims were already in progress, it was a New York Times article published in early September 2024 that drew national attention to this case. Allegations in the article including detaining patients against their will without medical necessity, and holding patients for longer stays to maximize profits, despite evidence the patients did not pose an imminent threat to themselves or others, as required by law.
The recent Times article also follows many other concerning reports, including physical and sexual abuse of adults and children in Acadia staff care.
2. What are some examples of patient rights being violated at Acadia facilities?
- Involuntary Detainment: Patients seeking routine mental health care were detained against their will, even when they did not meet the legal criteria for involuntary holds. For example, a social worker was held for six days after seeking medication adjustment.
- False Justifications: Acadia facilities exaggerated symptoms or used minor issues, like not finishing a meal, to justify longer stays. A woman in Indiana was held for seven days after seeking therapy, despite not posing a danger to herself or others.
- Poor Conditions: Numerous health inspections have uncovered serious issues at Acadia hospitals, including patients not receiving therapy, being unsupervised, and being denied necessary medications. In some cases, patients experienced assaults or unsafe conditions during their stays.
3. How did Acadia benefit from holding patients longer than necessary?
Acadia hospitals are alleged to have often extended patients’ stays to maximize insurance payments. Employees reported pressure to manipulate medical records, use misleading language like “combative,” and avoid describing patients as “calm” or “compliant,” which would have indicated readiness for discharge. Patients were routinely kept at Acadia facilities until their insurance benefits were exhausted, regardless of the person’s actual medical needs.
4. Can I sue Acadia Healthcare if I was wrongfully detained?
Yes. Patients who were held against their will or whose rights were violated may have legal claims against Acadia Healthcare. Detaining patients without medical necessity or under false pretenses can result in significant harm, including emotional distress, financial losses and long-term trauma.
In some cases, victims of wrongful detainment or neglect at psychiatric hospitals may be eligible for compensation for:
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Medical expenses for ongoing treatment
- Loss of income
- Punitive damages to hold the hospital accountable
- Other individual case-specific harm
5. What should I do if I suspect my rights were violated at an Acadia facility?
Cohen & Malad, LLP is leading an active investigation into claims of malpractice and human rights violations by former patients. We can help you, too.
If you or a loved one were held against your will, subjected to unsafe conditions, or suffered harm at an Acadia facility, it’s important to seek legal counsel. Experienced attorneys at Cohen & Malad, LLP have a track record of holding healthcare providers accountable for misconduct. We can help you understand your legal rights, investigate your case, and seek justice for any harm caused by Acadia Healthcare’s practices.
If you or a loved one were mistreated at an Acadia Healthcare facility, contact Cohen & Malad, LLP today or call 317.636-6481. You deserve to have your voice heard and to hold those responsible for your mistreatment accountable. Case evaluations are free and confidential.
