Some Psychiatric Hospitals Detain Patients

Acadia Healthcare, one of the largest psychiatric hospital chains in the United States, has faced increasing scrutiny due to allegations of unethical practices. A New York Times investigation revealed that the company has unlawfully detained patients, often without medical necessity, for financial gain. This report has brought to light disturbing stories of individuals held against their will, even when their mental health did not justify such actions. If you or a loved one has been subjected to this kind of mistreatment, fill out the form above to set up a free consultation.  The medical malpractice lawyers at Schlesinger Law Offices are committed to helping you pursue justice and secure the compensation you deserve.

Allegations Against Acadia Healthcare

In at least 12 of the 19 states where Acadia operates, patients, employees, and law enforcement officials have reported that the company detains individuals in violation of the law. The detentions frequently occur under the guise of mental health stabilization, yet many of these patients do not meet the legal standards for involuntary holds.

Examples include:

• A social worker in Florida was held for six days against her will at an Acadia facility while simply trying to adjust her medications.
• A woman seeking therapy at an Acadia facility in Indiana was held for seven days without justification.
• In Georgia, a police raid revealed that 16 patients had been detained at an Acadia inpatient facilty  with no valid reason.

These patients were detained under laws meant for those who pose an imminent threat to themselves or others. However, records show that none of the patients met those criteria. Acadia’s decisions to hold these patients appeared to be financially motivated, rather than medically necessary.

Financial Motivations

Acadia Healthcare’s business model centers around maximizing revenue, sometimes at the expense of patients’ rights. The company charges as much as $2,200 per day for some patients and employs various strategies to extend stays, such as:

• Exaggerating symptoms in medical charts.
• Manipulating medication dosages to justify longer hospitalization.
• Pressuring assessors and medical staff to ensure patients stay longer than needed.

These practices often result in patients being held until their insurance benefits are exhausted, leaving families financially and emotionally drained. Employees of Acadia have reported being pressured to use terms like “combative” in medical charts, even when patients showed no such behavior, to manipulate insurance coverage for extended stays.

Dangerous Conditions and Lack of Care

In addition to questionable detentions, conditions found at Acadia hospitals have been alarming. Numerous inspection reports have revealed:

• Lack of therapy or treatment for patients.
• Inadequate supervision and medical care.
• Incidents of sexual assault, physical assault, and filthy conditions at multiple facilities.

Patients, especially those detained against their will, face substandard care in environments that can be emotionally and physically dangerous and damaging.

The Role of Acadia’s Assessors

Acadia often sends its own assessors to overwhelmed emergency rooms to determine whether patients should be admitted to their psychiatric hospitals. However, many of these assessors have reported pressure from the company to admit patients to Acadia facilities, even when it was not the best option for the patients. In several states, assessors faced reprimands or harassment from Acadia for suggesting alternative treatment options or for recommending discharge.

In some cases, patients voluntarily admitted themselves to Acadia hospitals, only to find themselves detained when they wished to leave. These incidents occurred even when patients were no longer a danger to themselves or others, violating their civil rights.

Legal Actions and Consequences

Acadia Healthcare has faced lawsuits from patients and families affected by their practices. Some of these cases have resulted in confidential settlements, but the systemic issues remain. Federal and state authorities have also cracked down on Acadia and its competitor, Universal Health Services (UHS), for similar practices.

• In 2020, UHS paid $122 million to settle a Justice Department investigation related to unnecessary inpatient stays.
• Acadia is also facing a pending settlement with the Justice Department regarding allegations that many of their patient stays were not medically justified.

The Consequences for Patients

The involuntary detention practices at Acadia hospitals have had lasting consequences for many individuals. Patients like Kathryn MacKenzie, who was held at Acadia’s North Tampa Behavioral Health Hospital, suffered extreme emotional distress during their stay. Ms. MacKenzie, who was held against her will despite not being a danger to herself or others, was eventually released after a court hearing. However, her mother has reported that the experience left her daughter deeply traumatized, making her fearful of seeking mental health treatment in the future.

Another patient in Michigan lost their job while being unlawfully detained. In other cases, patients have developed a deep fear of psychiatric care after experiencing involuntary confinement in substandard conditions.

How Schlesinger Law Offices Can Help

For those who have experienced mistreatment at an Acadia Healthcare facility or any other psychiatric hospital, the personal injury attorneys at Schlesinger Law Offices are prepared to fight for justice. Our team understands the  physical, emotional, financial, and psychological toll that these experiences can take on individuals and their families. We are here to help you pursue the compensation and justice you deserve.

Schlesinger Law Offices can assist with:

• Filing lawsuits on behalf of patients who have been wrongfully detained or denied adequate care.
• Recovering compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering caused by unlawful detentions.
• Investigating claims of medical negligence and misconduct to hold psychiatric facilities accountable for their actions.

If you or a loved one has been detained against your will at an Acadia facility, or if you’ve suffered from inadequate or negligent care, Schlesinger Law Offices is ready to help. Our legal team has extensive experience holding large healthcare corporations accountable for their actions, and we are committed to securing fair compensation for those who have been wronged.

Fill out the form at the top of this page to schedule a Free Consultation

It’s important to act quickly if you believe you’ve been mistreated by a psychiatric hospital. Contact Schlesinger Law Offices today to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys will review your case, explain your legal options, and help you determine the best course of action. You don’t have to fight alone — we’re here to help you every step of the way.