Cedar Creek Hospital Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Residential treatment centers are healthcare facilities that care for vulnerable populations. They often provide services for individuals struggling with mental health issues, addiction, or behavioral challenges. Patient safety should be a top priority in these facilities, but Cedar Creek Hospital sexual abuse lawsuits prove that doesn’t always happen. 

When these standards are not met, the facility places its staff members and patients in harm’s way. As a result, people may suffer from negligence, abuse, or malpractice, which can include sexual abuse.

One way to ensure these standards are enforced in residential treatment centers is by holding them accountable when they fail. Injury Lawyer Team can help victims of abuse or neglect pursue legal action when they feel overwhelmed by their suffering.

Our Michigan residential treatment center abuse attorney team is committed to seeking compensation for legal damages if you or a family member have suffered in a facility like Cedar Creek Hospital.

About Cedar Creek Hospital

Overview

One residential treatment center located in Saint Johns, Michigan, is Cedar Creek Hospital. It has a capacity of 54 staffed beds, making it one of the smaller health clinics for kids, adolescents, and adults struggling with mental health issues or behavioral challenges. Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan is located at 101 West Townsend Rd, Saint Johns, MI 48879.

Cedar Creek Hospital specializes in several care areas for local families and individuals, including military families. Veterans may be eligible for free services for suicide thanks to the Compact Act. Those facing depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, addiction, or trauma can access medical care and psychiatric support at Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan.

Their services also include evidence-based treatment, crisis stabilization, inpatient programs, behavioral therapy, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs.

Who Owns Cedar Creek Hospital?

Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan is the facility’s legal name and a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc. This parent company oversees over 400 healthcare centers across the country, with hundreds of them serving individuals with mental health issues, including adolescents and adults.

In addition to Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan, Universal Health Services manages several other residential treatment centers in the Midwest, including:

• Forest View Hospital
• Havenwyck Hospital
• Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System
• Riveredge Hospital

Have There Been Lawsuits Filed Against Cedar Creek Hospital?

Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan has not been immune to legal issues or complaints against its staff. Although children, adolescents, and adults generally receive high-quality care at this Michigan facility, some allegations and violations warrant attention.

Here are a few legal issues involving Cedar Creek Hospital or its parent company, Universal Health Services, Inc.

Massive Settlement by Universal Health Services for False Claims Act

UHS, including Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan, oversees several institutions in Michigan. In 2020, UHS paid a $117 million settlement for violating the False Claims Act. $2.4 million was connected to facilities in Michigan, including Cedar Creek Hospital.

Numerous violations were cited as part of this case, including:

• Admission of Medicaid patients who were ineligible for inpatient or residential treatment
• Keeping beneficiaries at UHS facilities for longer than was necessary
• Billing for services not rendered to adults or adolescents for years
• Failure to provide adequate staffing and staff training
• Failure to supervise staff sufficiently for patient safety
• Failure to provide care per state and federal regulations
• Improper use of physical and chemical restraints and seclusion

These failures violate the federal False Claims Act and the Michigan Medicaid False Claims Act. This settlement was reached following 18 whistleblower lawsuits filed against UHS across the United States.

Michigan State Analysis Discovers Alarming Number of Abuse and Neglect Allegations at Cedar Creek Hospital

The Local Public Health branch of the Michigan state government conducts analyses of abuse and neglect allegations at healthcare facilities. During fiscal year 2020, between October 1st and March 30, statistics regarding these allegations were collected for numerous facilities, including Cedar Creek Hospital.

The results reveal a frighteningly high rate of abuse or neglect allegations against Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan. During this period, 1,509 admissions occurred at this facility. There were 67 allegations made about abuse or neglect.

A total of 58 investigations were conducted into these allegations. The investigation substantiated fifteen of the allegations, resulting in nine interventions. However, only five of these interventions were substantiated.

This trend represents a troubling history of abuse and neglect accusations at Cedar Creek Hospital. The issues cited in these allegations were either abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse.

What Do Inspection and Deficiency Reports at Cedar Creek Hospital Say?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services evaluates and inspects most healthcare facilities across the United States. These inspections are sometimes conducted regularly over the years, but may also be triggered by complaints. The CMS findings indicate that Cedar Creek Hospital has numerous deficiencies, particularly relative to state and national averages.

Here are some weaknesses found at Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan in recent years.

• Only 7.0% of healthcare workers were up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, compared with the national average of 13.7%.
• Only 44% of patients with alcohol abuse problems received or refused an intervention during their stay, compared to the national average of 60%.
• Only 33% of patients with alcohol abuse problems received a brief intervention during their stay, compared to the national average of 77%.
• Only 3% of patients who screened positive for an alcohol or drug use disorder during their stay received either a medication to treat their disorder or a referral for addiction treatment upon their discharge, compared to the national average of 61%.
• Only 1% of patients who use tobacco received a referral for outpatient counseling and a prescription to help them quit upon discharge, compared to the national average of 16%.
• 20.4% of patients were readmitted to a hospital after discharge from the treatment facility, compared to 19.6% nationally.

What Laws Govern Cedar Creek Hospital Sexual Abuse Lawsuits?

Laws that govern Cedar Creek Hospital’s sexual abuse suits arising from improper conduct include defining rights, reporting duties, and timelines for filing civil suits.

Patient Rights Under the Mental Health Code

Michigan’s Mental Health Code requires facilities licensed to provide psychiatric and behavioral health services to protect the safety of individuals in their care. Under MCL 330.1722, a recipient of mental health services shall not be subjected to improper treatment or harmful conduct and has the right to pursue civil remedies if those rights are violated. 

Child Protection Law for Minors

When the matter involves someone under 18, Michigan’s Child Protection Law sets definitions and reporting duties for professionals and facility personnel who learn of suspected harmful conduct. The law defines prohibited acts toward minors and includes who is considered responsible for a child’s welfare. Key sections include:

Statutes of Limitations

Civil claims regarding improper conduct at Cedar Creek Hospital must be filed within deadlines set by Michigan’s Revised Judicature Act. MCL 600.5805 establishes general limitations for personal injury cases, including those arising from prohibited contact. MCL 600.5851b provides special timing for incidents occurring during minority, allowing extended filing periods based on age and discovery of harm.

For childhood sex crimes Michigan law has historically allowed lawsuits to be filed until a survivor’s 28th birthday, or within a specified time after discovering the injury and its connection to the incident, though proposed legislative changes aim to extend these deadlines further; recent bills passed by the Michigan Senate would extend the window and add a one-year revival period, though these provisions must still become law.

Together, these Michigan statutes establish standards for facility conduct, duties of care, reporting requirements, and deadlines for bringing civil claims involving allegations of misconduct at Cedar Creek Hospital.

What Rights Do Abuse and Neglect Victims Have?

If you are a patient at Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan or know a close family member who is receiving care there, the state and federal governments grant certain rights to residents of treatment facilities.

You have the right to access quality care, live in a safe environment, and maintain personal dignity. If the staff at Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan violates these rights, they open themselves to potential lawsuits.

Injury Lawyer Team can help victims and families of abuse or neglect recover compensation for legal damages. These damages may include lost income, medical bills, future medical expenses, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. In wrongful death cases, additional damages may include funeral costs and loss of consortium.

Hiring lawyers with experience in a particular type of case is crucial. For example, if you suffered sexual abuse at Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan, you should work with a legal team experienced in this subject. Our team has worked with victims of many types of abuse and neglect in residential treatment centers.

Secure Expert Legal Representation!

Experienced legal representation can make all the difference in your case against Cedar Creek Hospital or Universal Health Services. With Injury Lawyer Team, you will have sound legal guidance and a commitment to success.

It starts with a free consultation with a qualified attorney. During this consultation, you can ask questions about your Michigan abuse lawsuit, whether it involves children, adolescents, or adults. You can also learn more about the legal process for filing claims against facilities like Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan.

We’ll help you with every aspect of your case, from completing the paperwork necessary to take legal action to standing beside you in court if things go to trial. 

Another benefit of working with our team is the contingency fee agreement. Many victims are hesitant to pursue legal action due to upfront costs. Our residential treatment center abuse lawyers only receive payment if they successfully recover a settlement on your behalf, reducing the financial burden you must bear for your case against Cedar Creek Hospital.

Call us today at 866-757-6452 or complete the online form to request a free case evaluation.

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.