JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Seven hearing-impaired emergency room patients are suing Baptist Health Systems for allegedly failing to provide qualified sign language interpreters.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Jacksonville, claims the health care provider violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. One patient said she was given a stuffed monkey instead of a sign language interpreter. Another couldn't hear when her name was called by emergency workers.
A Baptist spokeswoman told The Florida Times Union the hospital couldn't comment on the lawsuit because it had not been served a copy. She added that they are committed to effective patient communication.
An attorney with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, which filed the suit, said deaf patients were denied full access to care.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Hearing impaired ER patients sue Florida hospital over lack of sign language interpreters
From The Associated Press:
