UHS (Universal Health Services) Abuse Lawsuits in Illinois

On March 28, 2024, a Champaign County jury found Pavilion Behavioral Health System, a UHS subsidiary, negligent for failing to prevent the 2020 rape of a 13-year-old patient by a 16-year-old patient, and awarded $60 million in compensatory and $475 million in punitive damages.^1,2 In October 2024 the trial court reduced the punitive award to $120 million (total $180 million). Both sides appealed. Per UHS's SEC filings, the parties reached a settlement approved by the court in the second quarter of 2025, the judgment has been vacated, and the settlement terms are confidential.^3,4

HHS OIG records show several UHS Illinois facilities resolved allegations of employing Medicaid-excluded individuals: Hartgrove ($735,671.64, 2023), Streamwood ($180,001.71, 2023), and Garfield Park ($85,044.78, 2023). Each party contested the allegations and denied liability; no finding of liability was made.^5,6,7 These are billing/exclusion compliance matters, not evidence of abuse.