Fairmount Behavioral Health Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Financial Compensation for Victims of Institutional Sexual Abuse

Residential treatment facilities and juvenile detention centers in Pennsylvania have recently been implicated in lawsuits involving sexual abuse. These institutions, including Fairmount Behavioral Health System, are responsible for providing care, ensuring patient safety, and offering other services to underage residents. Still, many have failed to prevent or adequately respond to sexual assault and abuse. If you suffered sexual abuse in this facility, you could seek justice with a Fairmount Behavioral Health sexual abuse lawsuit.

Expert legal representation can make all the difference in your pursuit of fair compensation. Injury Lawyer Team is prepared to guide you through the claims process and hold the at-fault parties accountable if you suffered institutional sexual assault or abuse. 

Allegations of Childhood Sexual Abuse Against Fairmount Behavioral Health System

Multiple allegations have led to mental health hospital sexual abuse lawsuits against Fairmount Behavioral Health. Let’s examine some of the most prominent claims involving this Pennsylvania youth residential treatment center and victims who experienced sexual abuse. 

Former Staff Member Charged with Raping a Mental Health Patient

A female patient was involuntarily admitted to Fairmount Behavioral Health System in 2019 after a suicide attempt. She reported that a staff member, Michael McIntosh, had entered her room and raped her. 

Due to the timing of the report, her case against the defendant was delayed during the pandemic. Eventually, McIntosh was charged with third-degree institutional sexual abuse. 

Dispatch Records Indicate A High Number of Calls to Police for Sexual Offenses at the Facility

ABC Action News investigated sexual violence at Fairmount Behavioral Health in 2020. As part of the investigation, the team obtained dispatch records that showed over 100 calls made to the police between 2015 and 2019 for alleged assaults, rapes, and other sexual offenses. 

The owner of the clinic, Universal Health Services, claims that all allegations of sex abuse are investigated thoroughly, but the incident involving Michael McIntosh was never substantiated, and he was fired for other reasons. 

Female Patient Sexually Assaulted By Another Resident Who Was a Registered Sex Offender

In 2017, a female patient at Fairmount Behavioral Health reported that she had been assaulted by another patient named Montez Hewlett. Hewlett apparently had a history of violent sexual assaults against others, and he was a registered sex offender at the time. 

In the woman’s lawsuit, she claimed that Fairmount Behavioral Health should have known of his status and taken steps to secure him. However, Hewlett was allowed unrestricted access to the victim and continued to sexually assault her. 

What Damages Can Victims Recover in Sexual Abuse Lawsuits?

When survivors pursue sexual abuse lawsuits involving residential treatment facilities, there is a chance that they can secure financial compensation for legal damages. Here are some of the most common types of compensation you may be eligible for with a successful sexual abuse claim:

Economic Damages

• Lost wages – If injuries force you to miss time at work, resulting in lost income
• Medical expenses – Costs associated with your treatment can be covered, including emergency room visits, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and therapy
• Diminished earning capacity – If the result of the abuse prevents you from finding meaningful employment
• Future medical bills – For expenses you will incur for ongoing treatment

Non-Economic Damages

• Emotional distress – Emotional suffering can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, depression, suicide ideation, and self-harm
• Pain and suffering – Violent sexual misconduct could cause injuries that lead to lasting physical pain
• Loss of enjoyment of life – After the abuse occurred, you may have struggled to experience joy in the same way

Punitive Damages

Legal action involving gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups may result in punitive damages for the victim, which is additional compensation that further penalizes the defendant. 

How Long Do Victims of Child Sexual Abuse Have to Pursue Legal Action in Pennsylvania?

If you were sexually abused at Fairmount Behavioral Health, it is important to consider a lawsuit quickly to avoid the statute of limitations. Here are some state laws to understand regarding the timeline of your claim:

• 42 Pa.C.S. §5533(b)(2)(i) – For civil claims, child sex abuse survivors have until their 55th birthdays to seek justice.
• 42 Pa.C.S. §5533(b)(2)(ii) – There is a two-year revival window for claims that may have expired under the statute of limitations, which ends in November 2025. 
• 42 Pa.C.S. §5524(7) – Adults who are sexually abused have two years from the date of their abuse or the date of discovery of their injuries to pursue sexual abuse lawsuits in Pennsylvania.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help Survivors File Claims

Children in mental health treatment facilities deserve to feel safe and cared for. When institutions fail to meet these basic standards, they must be held accountable for their actions. At Injury Lawyer Team, we provide a compassionate and safe space for survivors to tell their stories. 

Our legal services include:

• Investigating facilities like Fairmount Behavioral Health
• Assessing the full scope of legal damages after you were sexually abused
• Gathering evidence of negligent hiring, security problems, ignored complaints, and other systemic failures
• Protecting your legal rights
• Holding entities like Universal Health Services accountable
• Negotiating with insurance companies for full compensation
• Litigating your civil lawsuit in court if necessary

Book a Free Consultation

Sexual abuse lawsuits against Fairmount Behavioral Health and other similar institutions can be overwhelming for the victims. At Injury Lawyer Team, we want to make the process as simple as possible so your sexual abuse claim has a strong chance of leading to a settlement. 

Our legal team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we secure a favorable outcome. Whether the abuse occurred recently or decades ago, you can ask questions about pursuing legal action during a free, confidential consultation.

If you have suffered sexual abuse in a treatment center for children with behavioral challenges, contact us today at 866-757-6452 to schedule your free consultation. We have extensive experience in such cases and can help you understand your legal options.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.