Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada has reached an agreement with Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, LLC, to improve accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing patients and their companions. The agreement mandates that Sunrise Hospital, along with its 190 affiliated healthcare facilities nationwide, provide qualified in-person or video remote interpreting services as needed.
The settlement comes after a complaint was filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by a deaf father who accompanied his eight-year-old daughter during an emergency room visit at Sunrise Hospital. The hospital did not provide an American Sign Language interpreter, forcing the father to use ineffective communication methods. This resulted in misunderstandings about his daughter's medical condition and treatment plan, causing unnecessary stress for both.
Acting United States Attorney Sigal Chattah stated: “Every individual deserves the right to communicate effectively with their medical team, especially when assisting their child in an emergency room. This settlement reflects the United States Attorney’s Office’s commitment to the civil rights of disabled individuals, specifically those who are deaf or hard of hearing to ensure they may participate meaningfully in their own health care without obstacles.”
As part of the agreement, Sunrise Hospital will train all patient-facing staff on ADA requirements and submit regular compliance reports. The hospital will also update its policies to align with ADA standards. In addition, Sunrise Hospital will pay $30,000 in damages to the affected father and $5,000 in civil penalties to the United States.
Assistant United States Attorney Ednin D. Martinez handled the case.
Individuals wishing to report possible violations of federal civil rights laws can do so at www.civilrights.justice.gov. Information on ADA rights is available through the Department of Justice’s toll-free line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or online at www.ada.gov.
