A Chicago behavioral health facility has come under scrutiny following multiple allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct involving vulnerable patients, including children. UHS Hartgrove Hospital is one of more than 300 inpatient psychiatric care facilities for children, teens, and adults run by Universal Health Services (UHS). At least 13 UHS-owned juvenile mental health facilities have been closed following recent abuse and neglect allegations.
If you or someone you love has suffered abuse while under care at UHS Hartgrove, know that you are not alone, and help is available. At Helping Survivors, we recognize the pain and betrayal that come when institutions fail to protect patients, especially in mental health facilities, where individuals are often at their most vulnerable. We’re committed to helping survivors understand their rights, explore legal options, and begin a path toward justice and healing.
Sexual Abuse Allegation at UHS Hartgrove Hospital
Recent investigative reports and legal actions have highlighted a pattern of alleged sexual abuse involving staff and patients at UHS Hartgrove Hospital, including minors. These reports have raised serious concerns about the hospital’s safety protocols and lack of oversight. Abuse at mental health institutions is particularly disturbing, since it involves individuals who are already in extremely vulnerable states.
In July 2022, a Senate Finance Committee report detailed systematic abuse in UHS youth residential treatment facilities across the country. This report and the following lawsuits prompted UHS to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for abuse and improper patient care. The most recent suit against UHS and Hartgrove Hospital involves more than 100 former minor patients who allege systemic abuse and sexual assault dating back decades. The patients, who ranged from eight years old to teenagers while in the hospital’s care, assert that they experienced near-daily sexual abuse by staff.
Despite the numerous other lawsuit settlements and verdicts that UHS has already paid out, Hartgrove Hospital denied all allegations made in the 100-patient suit, which was filed in December 2024.
Developments in UHS Hartgrove Hospital Sexual Abuse Claims
Hartgrove Hospital is a Chicago behavioral health institution operated by Universal Health Services (UHS). The facility has faced multiple investigations and legal actions in recent years regarding claims of sexual abuse within the facility. These lawsuits and investigative reports allege:
- Sexual assault and abuse by staff members
- Patients punished or ignored for reporting the abuse
- Failure to protect children and adults receiving psychiatric treatment
- Inadequate investigations and response by the hospital administration following complaints
- Reports of systemic issues across multiple UHS-owned facilities nationwide
- Cover-ups, deliberate inaction, and institutional negligence that led to repeated abuse of patients
- Negligent hiring and supervision of staff
More than 100 survivors and their families have already filed a lawsuit against UHS and Hartgrove Hospital for endangering them as children and enabling sexual abuse to occur to extremely vulnerable populations. If you or a loved one was harmed at UHS Hartgrove, you may be eligible to join an existing lawsuit or pursue a separate claim against the perpetrators of the abuse and the institution itself.
Legal Options for Survivors of Abuse at UHS Hartgrove
Hospitals and behavioral health centers have a legal and moral obligation to protect their patients. When these institutions fail, they can—and should—be held legally accountable. Survivors of abuse at UHS Hartgrove Hospital may have the right to:
- File civil lawsuits for monetary damages
- Report the abuse so prosecutors may pursue criminal charges
- Access trauma-informed counseling and survivor resources
- Demand institutional change to protect future patients
At Helping Survivors, we collaborate with trauma-informed legal professionals, advocates, and mental health experts who specialize in supporting survivors of institutional abuse.
What is the Time Limit to File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Illinois?
Thanks to recent legislative reforms, many states, including Illinois, have extended or removed statutes of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. In 2019, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker removed the criminal statute of limitations for prosecuting sex crimes.
However, Illinois does still have a statute of limitations for civil child sexual abuse lawsuits, though it was extended in 2019. Civil sexual abuse lawsuits must be commenced within 20 years of the victim’s 18th birthday or within 20 years of their discovery of the harm the abuse caused, whichever is later. This means that even if the abuse occurred years or even decades ago, you may still have the legal right to file a lawsuit. If you aren’t sure whether the statute of limitations for your case has expired, Helping Survivors can connect you with resources to determine your eligibility.
Every law firm Helping Survivors works with provides free consultations and only takes these cases on contingency, meaning there are no upfront costs to pursuing a claim.
Reporting Resources for UHS Hartgrove Sexual Abuse Survivors
If you or someone you know was abused as a patient of UHS Hartgrove Hospital, you are not alone. Reporting the abuse to law enforcement and the appropriate state or federal agencies is the first step toward justice. Depending on the circumstances of the abuse, you may report to one or more of the following:
- Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
You can file a formal complaint against a health care facility through the IDPH - Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
If the abuse involved a minor, you can report the abuse through the DCFS Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873) - Local Law Enforcement
You may also contact the Chicago Police Department’s Special Victims Unit or your local precinct to initiate a criminal investigation. - Federal Reporting
If you believe your rights were violated under federal health and safety standards, complaints can be filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and reported to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal civil rights violations.
Before reporting to any of these agencies, we highly recommend speaking to an experienced law firm to ensure your rights are preserved and protected throughout the reporting process.
How Helping Survivors Can Support Hartgrove Hospital Abuse Survivors
As a national resource dedicated to informing and empowering survivors of sexual abuse, Helping Survivors aims to ensure no survivor has to navigate their healing journey alone. You are not alone–we believe you, stand with you, and are ready to help by providing:
- Free, confidential case evaluations
- Educational resources on your rights and the legal process
- Connections to legal and therapeutic professionals
- A supportive, judgment-free environment for healing
Get Help Today
Coming forward after experiencing sexual abuse, especially as a child, is never an easy task, but it can be very powerful for your family and for other survivors worldwide. If you or someone you love experienced sexual abuse at UHS Hartgrove Hospital, you are not alone, and you deserve to be heard. Whether you’re ready to pursue legal action or just want to talk through your experience confidentially, Helping Survivors is here to listen, support, and help you explore your options in a safe environment. Contact us today for a free, private consultation to take the first step toward justice and healing.
