Trinity Health Systems in Fort Dodge, Iowa, has agreed to pay $218,000 over an alleged violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide interpretation services for a deaf patient, according to a DOJ news release.
The Justice Department's lawsuit, which was filed along with the settlement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, alleged that Trinity Health Systems violated the ADA by failing to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services. This failure resulted in the patient being unable to understand medical instructions among other issues, according to the complaint.
Of the settlement, $198,000 will be paid to the aggrieved patients and $20,000 will be paid as a civil penalty. Trinity has also agreed to provide training to hospital staff on the ADA and adopt specific policies and procedures to ensure that auxiliary aids and services are promptly provided to patients or companions who are deaf or hard of hearing, according to the release.
The Justice Department's lawsuit, which was filed along with the settlement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, alleged that Trinity Health Systems violated the ADA by failing to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services. This failure resulted in the patient being unable to understand medical instructions among other issues, according to the complaint.
Of the settlement, $198,000 will be paid to the aggrieved patients and $20,000 will be paid as a civil penalty. Trinity has also agreed to provide training to hospital staff on the ADA and adopt specific policies and procedures to ensure that auxiliary aids and services are promptly provided to patients or companions who are deaf or hard of hearing, according to the release.