Acadia Healthcare Settles $179 Million Securities Class Action Lawsuit

Acadia Healthcare recently settled a $179 million securities class action lawsuit, offering investors who purchased the company’s stock between April 30, 2014, and Nov. 15, 2018, the opportunity to claim a cash payment from the settlement. The lawsuit alleged that Acadia Healthcare and individual defendants had violated federal securities laws by providing false or misleading information about the quality of care, staffing levels, and regulatory compliance at their facilities, as well as the expected financial performance of their operations in the United Kingdom.

Individuals and entities who acquired Acadia Healthcare common stock during the specified period are eligible to file a claim as part of the settlement. Each legal entity must submit a separate claim, and all joint purchasers or acquirers must sign the claim form. Executors, administrators, guardians, conservators, and trustees may submit claims on behalf of others with appropriate documentation.

The total settlement fund is $179,000,000, with the amount each class member receives depending on several factors, including the number of valid claims, shares purchased or acquired, and the timing of transactions. Payments will be distributed on a pro rata basis according to a court-approved plan of allocation, with an estimated average distribution of $2.03 per allegedly damaged share before deductions.

Recognized loss amounts for individual transactions will be calculated based on purchase and sale timing, with different formulas applied depending on the circumstances. The settlement administrator will match purchases and sales on a first-in, first-out basis, and class members must have a net overall loss on transactions during the class period to be eligible for a payment. If total recognized losses exceed the settlement fund, payments may be reduced on a pro rata basis.

To file a claim, class members can do so online or by downloading and completing a PDF claim form, which must be submitted by April 30, 2026, to the settlement administrator. Documentation including purchase, acquisition, and sale information, along with proof of transactions, such as broker confirmation slips or account statements, is required to support claims.

The $179 million settlement fund includes costs related to settlement administration, attorneys’ fees and expenses, service awards to class representatives, and payments to eligible class members. Following a fairness hearing scheduled for April 29, 2026, payments will be issued to eligible class members once the court has resolved any appeals and granted final approval of the settlement.

Although Acadia Healthcare and the individual defendants denied any wrongdoing, they agreed to settle the class action lawsuit to avoid the costs, risks, and delays associated with continued litigation. The plaintiffs alleged that false statements made by the company had led to inflated stock prices, causing financial losses for investors during the class period.