Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, ADA Violation, Nevada 2024

Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, a 190-facility healthcare chain in the United States, has agreed to settle a complaint under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in Nevada. The settlement comes after a deaf father filed a complaint alleging that the hospital denied him an American Sign Language interpreter during a 2019 emergency room visit, forcing him to rely on an unreliable means of communication.

According to the complaint, the father’s eight-year-old daughter required medical attention, and he was by her side in the emergency room. However, the hospital refused to provide an interpreter, leaving the father unable to understand the extent of his daughter’s condition, medication being administered, vital details about the discharge process, and treatment plan. As a result, the father and his daughter suffered unnecessary stress, fear, and confusion.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center will provide patients and companions who are deaf with appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified in-person or video remote interpreting services. The hospital will also train all patient-facing staff and employees on current ADA requirements, submit periodic reports regarding its compliance, and modify all policies and practices consistent with the ADA.

The agreement also includes a monetary settlement, with Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center paying $30,000 in damages to the father and $5,000 in civil penalties to the United States. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ednin D. Martinez.

Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center’s agreement to settle the ADA complaint is a significant step towards ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to healthcare services. The settlement serves as a reminder of the importance of providing auxiliary aids and services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, particularly in emergency situations.

For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at http://www.ada.gov/complaint.

If you or someone you know has experienced possible violations of federal civil rights laws, please make a report at www.civilrights.justice.gov.

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