Grady Memorial Hospital, ADA Violation, Georgia 2024

Grady Memorial Hospital, the largest hospital in Georgia, has agreed to resolve allegations of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to ensure effective communication with individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia initiated an investigation after receiving a complaint from a deaf patient who was treated in the Emergency Care Center at Grady after falling from a ladder. The patient alleged that he was not provided a sign language interpreter or other auxiliary aid or service, resulting in a six-hour stay in the Emergency Care Center without understanding most of what was being communicated due to his pain.

“When a deaf patient or caregiver is unable to understand what is happening during a medical visit or procedure, it can be a terrifying experience and adversely affect the quality of care,” said U.S. Attorney John Horn. “I am encouraged that Grady has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to ensure that people who are deaf or hard of hearing have equal access to quality medical care.”

Under the settlement agreement, Grady has agreed to ensure effective communication to patients who are deaf and hard of hearing. This includes providing mandatory in-service training to all Emergency Care Center personnel and providing reports to the U.S. Attorney’s Office regarding its compliance with the settlement agreement. The training will address the needs of deaf and hard of hearing patients and companions.

Grady also agreed to pay $5,000 to the complainant. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by health care professionals, and health care providers are required to provide effective communication to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. When complex, lengthy communication is involved, the ADA generally requires health care professionals to provide qualified sign language interpreters for the person who is deaf or hard of hearing.

This agreement is part of the Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative, a partnership between the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the nation. The initiative includes the participation of more than 40 U.S. Attorneys’ offices, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

Assistant United States Attorneys Aileen Bell Hughes and Neeli Ben-David are representing the United States in this matter. For further information, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the home page for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

Grady Memorial Hospital’s failure to ensure effective communication with deaf patients is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is committed to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and ensuring that they have equal access to quality medical care.

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