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The Justice Department filed a lawsuit along with a settlement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa. DOJ alleged that Trinity Health Systems violated the American’s with Disabilities Act when they did not provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services (including sign language interpreter services) to deaf patients at Trinity Medical Center. As a result of this failure, deaf patients were unable to understand medical instructions and medical procedures, and had to wait long periods of time without being able to communicate with medical staff.
The settlement requires Trinity to pay $198,000 to aggrieved individuals and a $20,000 civil penalty; provide training to hospital staff on the requirements of 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. The parties will ask the court to retain jurisdiction over the case to enforce the terms of the settlement.