Park Royal Hospital Lawsuit & Abuse Investigations

Park Royal Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Fort Myers, Florida, has faced repeated allegations of sexual abuse involving staff and vulnerable patients. The most prominent case involved Benjamin Bland, a former mental-health technician accused in 2013 of sexually assaulting multiple female patients during their stays. Incidents included coerced sexual contact in closets and bathrooms. Under Florida law, any sexual activity between hospital staff and psychiatric patients is a felony.

Despite early complaints, Bland remained employed for weeks, during which time additional allegations emerged. Investigations revealed that Bland lied on his résumé and even admitted to past violent behavior. Hospital staff later admitted giving misleading information to law enforcement and failing to conduct proper reference checks.

Subsequent lawsuits showed that Bland was not the only alleged abuser. In 2015, another former patient filed a lawsuit against a different staffer. In 2018, a patient reported discovering a used condom inside her body after being discharged, strongly suggesting sexual assault occurred during hospitalization. These incidents indicate systemic failures in background checks, training, supervision, and abuse prevention at Park Royal. At Kayla’s Survivors, our legal team is actively pursuing cases against Park Royal Hospital regarding abuse. If you or a loved one experienced mistreatment while under their care, we’re here to listen and support you every step of the way. Start your claim by calling (800) 509-9747 or tell us what happened online.

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Park Royal Lawsuit Timeline

July 2013: Three patients reported sexual abuse by technician Benjamin Bland to hospital staff and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Bland remained employed as authorities investigated.
Source: Naples Daily News. (2015, November 7). Red flags missed before hospital sex assaults. https://archive.naplesnews.com/news/health/how-a-fort-myers-mental-hospital-missed-warning-signs-about-employee-who-sexually-assaulted-patients-342586572.html

September 19, 2013: Two additional women came forward. Bland was arrested and charged with five counts of sexual misconduct with patients, with bail set at $125,000.
Source: CCHR International. (2013, October 1). Florida psychiatric technician charged with molesting patients. https://archive.naplesnews.com/news/crime/mental-health-hospital-employee-accused-of-sexual-misconduct-with-patients-ep-313919067-341706641.html

April 2014: Bland pleads guilty to sexual battery charges and is sentenced to five years in state prison. Later reports indicate he victimized up to 11 patients.

2014–2015: Civil suits are filed against Park Royal and its owner, Acadia Healthcare, alleging negligent hiring and supervision allowed Bland’s abuses. Depositions reveal HR and investigators misled authorities and ignored red flags. Source: Naples Daily News. (2015, November 7). How a Fort Myers mental hospital missed warnings. https://archive.naplesnews.com/news/health/how-a-fort-myers-mental-hospital-missed-warning-signs-about-employee-who-sexually-assaulted-patients-342586572.html

Late 2015: A global civil settlement is reached, reportedly paying over $3 million to victims. Source: City of Chula Vista Public Comment (citing Naples Daily News). https://cvapps.chulavistaca.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=241508&repo=CityClerk

December 30, 2015: A new lawsuit is filed by a former patient alleging abuse by another staff member in 2013. The employee was not charged.

June 2016: Settlement of Bland-related lawsuits is disclosed publicly. The hospital introduces policy changes including stricter hiring, staff retraining, and increased surveillance.

January 2018: A discharged patient reports discovering a used condom inside her body, prompting a new criminal investigation and triggering a federal CMS inspection. Hospital leadership is replaced.

2019–Present: Park Royal remains under scrutiny, with over 100 state or federal citations since 2014. Its record is cited in community opposition to other Acadia facilities. Source: Business Observer. (2024, September 26). Pasco, Lee hospitals named in $20M federal settlement. https://www.businessobserverfl.com/news/2024/sep/26/hospitals-federal-settlement/

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Settled & Ongoing Cases Against Park Royal Hospital

State of Florida vs. Benjamin Bland (2013–2014)

Bland pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison. The criminal case is closed.

Civil Lawsuits by Bland’s Victims (2014–2016)

Eleven women sued Park Royal and Acadia Healthcare. The suits accused the hospital of negligence in hiring and oversight. A confidential settlement paid out more than $3 million in late 2015. The case is now closed.

“Jane Doe” Lawsuit (2015–Unresolved)

A woman alleged sexual abuse by another Park Royal staffer in 2013. The case was ongoing as of the last public update in 2017; its final status remains unclear.

2018 Sexual Assault Investigation

A discharged patient reported suspected rape. Authorities and regulators opened investigations, but as of early 2025 no arrests or lawsuits have been publicly linked to this case.

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Get Help Recovering Compensation From The Legal Team at Kayla’s Survivors

It’s important to understand that there are strict deadlines to file a claim in Florida (under the Florida Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse), which limit how long you have to pursue a lawsuit against Park Royal Hospital. Acting quickly can make a critical difference in your case.

At Kayla’s Survivors, we recognize the strength it takes to come forward, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you choose to share your story privately or publicly, your voice matters. Together, we can hold Park Royal Hospital accountable and pursue the justice and healing you deserve. Get started with your claim by calling (800) 509-9747 or tell us what happened online. Our legal team is here to listen and provide support, and our sexual abuse attorneys have helped recover over $1 billion for our clients.