20 Former Patients File Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Against NY Psychiatric Hospital Chain

Four Winds Facilities in Katonah and Saratoga Springs Accused of Longstanding Abuse and Negligence

A growing scandal is unfolding in New York as 20 former patients have filed sexual abuse lawsuits against Four Winds Hospital, its affiliated psychiatric services, and behavioral healthcare system. The lawsuits, filed this week in New York State Supreme Court in White Plains, allege that staff members at Four Winds sexually abused children under their care over a span of years—with some incidents occurring as recently as 2022.

The Four Winds facilities in Katonah (Lewisboro) and Saratoga Springs—psychiatric hospitals that provide inpatient mental health care for both children and adults—are at the center of the claims.

Claims of Systemic Abuse and Years of Negligence

According to the lawsuits, hospital staff groomed, coerced, and sexually assaulted minors using tactics ranging from favors and threats to direct physical violence. Several plaintiffs report that staff were often aware of abuse by their coworkers or other patients but failed to intervene or protect the children.

The plaintiffs claim that Four Winds fostered an unsafe environment with poor oversight, lax hiring practices, and inadequate security, contributing to repeated abuse spanning from 2008 through 2023.

One recent case alleges a minor was raped three times by a patient care technician, contracting a sexually transmitted disease as a result.

Prior Warnings Ignored by the Facility

The lawsuits highlight a pattern of inaction, citing that safety concerns have surrounded the Four Winds system for years. In 2017, a mother sued after her daughter was sexually abused by a male resident, claiming the girl was improperly housed in the boys’ unit—with no locks on the bedroom doors. That same year, a 31-year-old Four Winds employee, Dominic Sbordone, was arrested for having sex with a 19-year-old patient. He later pled guilty and served six months in jail with 10 years of probation.

Despite these events and repeated warnings from staff, media, and families, the lawsuits allege that Four Winds continued to market itself as a safe, therapeutic environment—a claim plaintiffs say amounts to false advertising and deceptive business practices.

Breakdown of Lawsuit Allegations

• 15 victims were abused at the Katonah location

• 5 victims were abused at Saratoga Springs

• Allegations include:

  • Sexual assault by staff

  • Negligent hiring and supervision

  • Failure to protect minors

  • Violation of NY state human rights laws

  • Willful misconduct and unsafe business practices

Plaintiffs are seeking unspecified monetary damages, not just for physical harm but for the lifelong trauma and suffering resulting from the alleged abuse.

A Broader Legal Context: States Removing Time Barriers for Victims

The Four Winds lawsuits come amid a national wave of reform to child sex abuse laws, as states recognize the historic barriers survivors face when coming forward. New York was one of the first to pass legislation that temporarily lifted statutes of limitations, allowing survivors to pursue justice regardless of when the abuse occurred.

This legal reform has opened the door for hundreds of previously time-barred cases to proceed in court, giving survivors a long-overdue opportunity to hold institutions accountable.

Legal Help for Victims of Psychiatric Hospital Abuse in New York

Psychiatric hospitals are entrusted with caring for some of the most vulnerable members of our community—especially children. When those institutions violate that trust, the consequences are devastating.

At Survivors of Abuse NY, we stand with survivors who were harmed while seeking mental health treatment. Thomas Giuffra, Esq. – The Abuse Lawyer NY, has built a strong reputation for representing clients in complex institutional abuse cases. He is currently accepting inquiries from individuals who were harmed at Four Winds or any other psychiatric or residential care facility.

We help survivors:

• Understand their legal rights

• Pursue claims for compensation

• Hold both abusers and negligent institutions accountable

Contact The Abuse Lawyer NY Today

If you or a loved one suffered sexual abuse at a psychiatric hospital or treatment center, contact Thomas Giuffra, Esq. – The Abuse Lawyer NY at Survivors of Abuse NY. We offer confidential consultations and are prepared to help you navigate the legal system with strength and compassion.

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