Havenwyck Hospital Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Residential treatment centers, such as Havenwyck Hospital in Auburn Hills, play an essential role in the healthcare system and in addressing mental health needs. Residential treatment centers are geared toward mental health and creating individualized treatment for vulnerable populations. Unfortunately, this has also resulted in multiple Havenwyck Hospital sexual abuse lawsuits. 

Facilities such as Havenwyck Hospital must provide quality care to all individuals while prioritizing their safety. The staff are also required to adhere to professional standards of care. Meeting these requirements lowers the risk of people from abuse, neglect, malpractice, or sexual abuse.

If you or a family member is at a residential treatment center, you have certain legal rights, including access to quality care, maintenance of dignity, and protection of your rights.

When the staff or other patients violate these rights and subject you to abuse, negligence, or harm, a Michigan residential treatment center abuse lawyer from Injury Lawyer Team can help you hold the at-fault party accountable and pursue compensation.

About Havenwyck Hospital

Overview

Havenwyck Hospital is a residential treatment center located in Auburn Hills, Michigan. This facility has 182 licensed inpatient beds and is located at 1525 University Drive, Auburn Hills, MI 48326. Havenwyck Hospital provides mental health care, therapeutic services, personalized treatment, behavioral support, telehealth, and a partial hospitalization program.

The facility understands that mental illnesses are often on a continuum. That is why they specialize in treatment options across the continuum, including inpatient and outpatient care. Every patient will work with professionals who specialize in mental health to create a long-term treatment plan.

Most services at Havenwyck Hospital are available to individuals of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults. The partial-day hospital program in Auburn Hills serves children, teens, and adults.

Who Owns Havenwyck Hospital?

Havenwyck Hospital in Auburn Hills is owned and operated by Universal Health Services, Inc., a large parent company. The legal business name is Havenwyck Hospital, Inc. Universal Health Services serves more than 400 healthcare locations across the United States, hundreds of which focus on mental health concerns and individualized treatment.

In addition to Havenwyck Hospital, UHS oversees several other Midwest residential treatment centers, including:

• Forest View Hospital
• Cedar Creek Hospital
• Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System
• Riveredge Hospital

Have There Been Lawsuits Against Havenwyck Hospital?

Havenwyck Hospital, sometimes referred to as Havenwyck Center, has not consistently met its standard of providing quality care to children, adolescents, and adults. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against the Auburn Hills facility for various violations.

Here are some notable legal actions involving this facility in the past.

False CPS Reports

A patient’s mother was at Havenwyck Hospital at the time of this lawsuit, which concluded in November 2012. She claimed that a social worker employed by the hospital called Child Protective Services and falsely reported that Thomas had threatened to strangle her son.

However, the United States District Court hearing the Auburn Hills case dismissed her claim as frivolous and failed to state a claim for which relief may be granted.

Estate of Shooting Death Victim Sues Havenwyck Hospital For Failing to Warn

In 2006, a case was concluded and dismissed against Havenwyck Hospital in Auburn Hills after the shooting death of Latimer.

Latimer’s 16-year-old son had been admitted to Havenwyck Hospital after displaying violent and aggressive behavior while also threatening Latimer. After being discharged, Latimer took his son on vacation and was fatally shot during the trip.

Tina Latimer, Steven’s estate, filed a lawsuit against the facility and a specific doctor whom she claimed had failed to warn Latimer of the danger his son presented.

The court dismissed the lawsuit because treatment records from Havenwyck Hospital indicated that the patient made no threats of violence during his stay. This relieved the facility of the obligation to warn the father of potential dangers to the patient’s discharge.

Hospital’s Parent Company Pays $117 Million Settlement for False Claims Act Violations

While this Auburn Hills hospital has successfully served many children, adolescents, and adults, some of its practices have been questioned due to concerns about the parent company, Universal Health Services.

In 2020, the company paid a $117 million settlement for billing fraud and violations of the False Claims Act. Michigan-based residential treatment centers, including Havenwyck Hospital, accounted for $2.4 million in revenue.

Among the violations were billing for services not rendered, retaining patients, including adolescents, in centers longer than necessary to increase Medicaid and Medicare billing, and failing to provide adequate care to all patients. These violations resulted in fraud, and many children, adolescents, and adults did not receive the necessary care from UHS-affiliated centers.

Inspection and Deficiency Reports at Havenwyck Hospital

Havenwyck Hospital is responsible for patients of all ages, including adolescents. The state licenses the Havenwyck team to provide quality care, comfortable environments, and mental health support to children, adolescents, and adults in need.

Unfortunately, inspections by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have revealed numerous deficiencies in recent years.

Here are some weaknesses found at Havenwyck Hospital that compare unfavorably to state and national averages.

• Only 2.0% of healthcare workers at Havenwyck were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, compared to the national average of 13.7%.
• Only 50% of patients were assessed and vaccinated against influenza, compared with the national average of 77%.
• Only 26% of patients with alcohol abuse disorders received or refused a brief intervention during their stay, compared to the national average of 60%.
• Only 6% of Havenwyck patients who screened positive for drug or alcohol use disorders during inpatient stays either received a prescription for addiction treatment or received a referral for addiction recovery upon discharge, compared to the national average of 61%.
• 0% of Havenwyck patients who use tobacco received a referral for outpatient counseling and a prescription for medications to help them quit upon discharge, compared to the national average of 16%.
• Only 54.4% of patients admitted to the facility with a principal diagnosis of mental illness or substance use disorders participated in an outpatient visit for treatment within 30 days of discharge, compared to the national average of 60%.

What Laws Govern Havenwyck Hospital Misconduct Cases

Legal acts arising from improper conduct at Havenwyck Hospital are governed by state statutes that establish standards for patient safety, reporting duties involving minors, and deadlines for initiating civil suits.

Patient Protections Under the MentalMichigan’sde

Michigan’s Mental Health Code requires centers that provide psychiatric and behavioral health services to maintain safe environments for individuals receiving care. Under MCL330.1722, a “recipient of mental health services shall not be subjected to harmful treatment” or conditions and is entitled to pursue remedies when those standards are violated. 

This statute often serves as a basis for alleging that a facility failed to maintain appropriate patient protections.

Child Protection Law for Individuals Under 18

When the situation involves someone under Michigan’s Child Protection Law (Act 238 of 1975), Michigan’s Child Protection Law (Act 238 of 1975) defines prohibited conduct toward minors and establishes mandatory reporting duties for professionals and facility staff who have reason to believe an incident has occurred. Key statutory sections include:

• MCL 722.622 — Definitions related to prohibited contact and responsibility for the care of minors.
• MCL 722.623 — Requirements for certain professionals and caregivers to report suspected incidents to the Department of Health and Human Services.

These provisions are frequently cited in state legal proceedings in which prohibited contact with a minor is alleged, as failure to report may reflect broader failures in institutional protection protocols.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Civil Sexual Abuse Lawsuits?

Civil remedies arising from harmful conduct at a state healthcare facility must be initiated within the deadlines set forth in Michigan’s civil procedural laws. Relevant sections of the Revised Judicature Act include:

• MCL 600.5805 — General limitation periods for personal injury and related actions.
• MCL 600.5851b — Extended filing periods for harmful conduct occurring when the individual was a minor, based on age and discovery of the connection between harm and the event.

These statutes determine the timeframe within which legal actions must be initiated following an incident at a medical facility.

These statutory definitions can help frame the nature of prohibited conduct in civil litigation.

What Rights Do Victims Have?

Patients in a residential treatment program in this state have certain rights under state and federal laws. Among those rights are the rights to quality care, personal dignity, and protection from harm. The Injury Lawyer Team can help you build a strong case against Havenwyck Hospital if your rights have been violated, resulting in abuse or neglect.

Individuals and families harmed by licensed residential treatment centers can sue for compensation for legal damages. Potential damages may include lost income, medical bills, future medical costs, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Those interested in pursuing legal action against Havenwyck Hospital must do so before the statute of limitations runs out. In Michigan, you have two years to file medical malpractice claims and three years for general personal injury. This could include negligence or abuse in a residential treatment center.

Hiring an experienced attorney is essential when pursuing legal action against Havenwyck Center. For a sexual abuse case, you need a lawyer with experience who understands what it takes to make a great case. The same applies to surgical errors, medication mistakes, or medical neglect. The Injury Lawyer Team can help you seek compensation for various types of abuse and neglect.

Secure Expert Legal Representation!

You need experienced legal support to succeed with your case and claim compensation. Our residential treatment facility abuse lawyers are ready to create a strong case on your behalf by gathering evidence, assessing damages, and negotiating for fair compensation.

First, you can contact Injury Lawyer Team for a free consultation about your case. Whether the case involves children, adolescents, or adults, a qualified attorney can answer your questions, giving you the space to make an informed decision.

Another advantage we offer is a contingency-fee agreement. Instead of paying upfront legal fees and increasing your burden, our team only receives payment if we successfully recover your settlement. With numerous incredible referral sources, you can discover how our track record of success speaks for itself.

If you are interested in requesting a free case evaluation, call our team today at 866-757-6452 or complete the online form. We will ensure that licensed centers, such as Havenwyck Hospital, are held accountable for wrongdoing and that you are compensated for your suffering.

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.