One element of the healthcare system is essential for the well-being of society as a whole: residential treatment centers. These facilities typically offer inpatient treatment and outpatient programs for vulnerable populations, such as individuals struggling with mental health issues, addiction, or behavioral challenges.
Forest View Hospital boasts more than three decades of experience. They offer online scheduling, making treatment convenient, even during a busy time such as when the holiday season approaches. The days grow shorter, and many people suffer from depression as they find it challenging to embrace the holiday season. Forest View offers various treatment options.
Many patients may reach out to residential treatment centers, but find that the center isn’t as amazing as the incredible referral sources say it is. Some have repeated cases of sexual abuse and neglect.
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Patients at these facilities and their family members have certain legal rights. The treatment center can be held accountable if these rights are violated and the patient suffers. A Michigan residential treatment center abuse attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you seek compensation for legal damages in such cases.
About Forest View Hospital
Overview
Forest View Hospital is a mental treatment center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The facility contains 108 staffed beds and is located at 1055 Medical Park Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
Having served the community for more than three decades, Forest View Hospital specializes in multiple care services, including a partial hospitalization program, skilled nurses, trauma treatment, eating disorder care, substance abuse recovery, mental illness support, inpatient psychiatric treatment, and outpatient programs.
The administrators also offer online scheduling options.
Ownership and Affiliations
Forest View Psychiatric Hospital Inc. is the legal business name for this facility, a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc. This parent company oversees over 400 facilities across the United States and has almost 100,000 employees. Because of its scope, this company has significantly impacted the national healthcare industry.
In addition to Forest View Hospital, Universal Health Services also manages these facilities:
Notable Legal Actions Against Forest View Hospital
Forest View Hospital has provided care services for decades, but some missteps have occurred. The administrators, skilled nurses, and other medical professionals have not always upheld a professional standard of care, placing patients in harm’s way.
Here are some legal cases and complaints against Forest View Hospital.
Whistleblower Reveals Billing Inconsistencies at Forest View Hospital
In late 2018, a social worker who Forest View Hospital had hired filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the facility for improper billing practices. Heidi Parent-Leonard had discovered numerous issues with how Forest View Hospital billed Medicare and Medicaid.
In one instance, she learned that patients were lined up in a hallway and spoken to one after the other for just several minutes each. These “meetings” were billed as costly therapy sessions to Medicare and Medicaid.
Parent-Leonard also claimed that the hospital was admitting undermedicated and ineligible patients to lengthen their stays and acquire more reimbursements.
By the time she filed her lawsuit, fifteen other whistleblower lawsuits had been filed against Universal Health Services locations nationwide. Eventually, these lawsuits led to a $117 million settlement by UHS [1].
Patient Injured While Being Treated at Forest View Hospital
In August of 2007, George York was allegedly harmed during his stay at Forest View Hospital and filed a lawsuit against the facility shortly after. In the lawsuit, York claimed that he was disabled and had bipolar disorder. He also stated that he was injured due to improper medication being administered to him.
Allegedly, the staff at Forest View Hospital failed to provide the treatment York requested. Lastly, the plaintiff claimed that he was denied proper care because he is African American. The hospital attempted to claim York’s allegations were too vague to be considered for a valid lawsuit.
Still, the United States district court hearing the case denied the facility’s request, allowing the lawsuit to proceed [2].
Sexual Assault Complaint Goes Unreported
Regulators within the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) investigated numerous UHS facilities in the state, including Forest View Hospital. During this investigation, LARA responded to allegations that the facility had violated its policies in not reporting a sexual assault claim.
In the complaint, a 52-year-old female patient claimed two employees had sexually assaulted her. LARA’s investigation revealed that the patient’s sister reported the incident to law enforcement, but no records were found.
The matter was supposedly investigated internally by Forest View Hospital. The facility concluded that the patient’s claims could not be substantiated and stated that she had bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and auditory and visual hallucinations [3].
Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting Two Women at Forest View Hospital
Kosygin McNeely was charged with two cases of sexual assault, both of which took place at Forest View Hospital. He allegedly assaulted a woman in a locked bathroom stall and then groped another woman in a public area of the facility.
Before being admitted to Forest View Hospital, McNeely had been charged with kidnapping in the city of Kalamazoo. McNeely has a lengthy history of criminal conduct and drug use [4]. Residential treatment center sexual abuse attorneys claim it was the facility’s responsibility to protect other patients from sexual abuse to ensure treatment has a meaningful impact.
Inspection and Deficiency Reports at Forest View Hospital
In general, Forest View Hospital has a positive reputation in the community. With a network of incredible referral sources and public reviews of the facility having a meaningful impact, it is easy to see the good work that has been done at Forest View Hospital. However, the facility has a mediocre record of providing compassionate care and upholding professional standards.
Here are some concerns surrounding Forest View Hospital’s treatment compared to national averages.
- Only 3.7% of healthcare personnel were up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, compared to the national average of 13.7%.
- Only 5% of patients who used tobacco received a referral for outpatient counseling and had the opportunity to receive medication for recovery, compared to the national average of 16%. The state average for this category is 21%.
- 70% of patients who had a drug or alcohol use problem either received/refused medication for treatment or received/refused a referral for addiction treatment upon discharge, compared to 72% nationally. [5]
Understanding Your Rights
Individuals struggling with abuse or neglect in a residential treatment center may feel sad, trapped, or hurt. Patients have rights at these facilities, including quality treatment, safety, and dignity. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you recover compensation for legal damages like lost income, medical bills, future medical costs, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Working with lawyers who specialize in certain areas is important when you file a claim against Forest View Hospital. For example, if you have suffered from sexual abuse, you should hire an attorney who has experience with fellow victims. Medical malpractice, negligence, and emotional abuse are other forms of mistreatment that may ruin a life from just one moment.
Our legal team is dedicated to upholding client rights and will serve you with sound legal advice and a commitment to winning. Filing a claim as soon as possible will help you avoid the statute of limitations in Michigan: two years for medical malpractice and three years for personal injuries.
Secure Expert Legal Representation!
We understand how sad and hurt a victim may feel after experiencing abuse or neglect at a residential treatment center. These facilities are supposed to be safe spaces dedicated to high-quality care measures. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are committed to advocating for your rights and pursuing maximum compensation for legal damages.
We offer a free consultation if you have questions about the legal process and want to express them first. During this case evaluation, we can discuss your circumstances and how to proceed with legal action.
Additionally, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Rather than forcing you to pay upfront legal fees, we only receive payment if we successfully recover a settlement on your behalf. This ensures your lawyer will serve you well, providing compassionate and helpful legal advice.
Call us today at 888-424-5757 or complete the online form for your free consultation.
Resources: [1] Bracker & Marcus LLC, [2] Casetext, [3] Detroit Free Press, [4] Detroit Free Press, [5] CMS
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.
