Happening at Four Winds Hospitals You Need to Know

Psychiatric hospitals should be places of healing and care, but the four winds hospitals in New York have faced far too many allegations in recent years, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse. With campuses in Katona and Saratoga Springs, Four Wind serves children as young as five through adults in psychiatric treatment programs.

In 2017, lawsuits and criminal charges brought to light multiple cases of alleged sexual abuse at the Katona facility. One mother sued after her 13-year-old daughter was reportedly assaulted repeatedly by another resident. Just a day later, a Four Winds staff member, Dominic Sbordone, was arrested for alleged sexual contact with a 19-year-old patient. Survivors and advocates say the abuse could have been prevented with better oversight, hiring practices, and supervision. But according to multiple lawsuits, the hospitals failed to protect their patients.

If you or someone you loved was sexually abused at a Four Winds hospital, you have legal rights and options. In New York, survivors of child sexual abuse now have until their 55th birthday to file a civil lawsuit. This extended timeline is a part of the state’s child victims act and applies to privately operated psychiatric facilities like Four Winds. For adult survivors, the law generally allows 3 years from the dates of the assault to take civil action, but there are exceptions, so don’t assume it’s too late.

A civil lawsuit may allow survivors to recover damages for things like pain and suffering, therapy, medical bills, and emotional distress. They also help expose institutional negligence and can help prevent future abuse from happening to others. You don’t have to report the abuse to law enforcement to file a civil lawsuit, but doing so creates documentation that could support your case. You can report the harm to local law enforcement, the New York State Office of Mental Health, or the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. But before filing an official report, we recommend speaking to an experienced law firm who can help you understand your legal rights and options and protect them throughout the reporting processes.

Here at Helping Survivors, we can connect you with an experienced lawyer who handles these types of cases. Every consultation is free and confidential, and there are no upfront costs to pursuing a claim. If you or someone you know experienced harm at a Four Winds facility, please reach out to us today for more information.