Is Your Practice Prepared?

A Section 1557 lawsuit is now pending in an Arizona federal court.  Twelve (12) hearing-impaired individuals have brought suit alleging their healthcare provider discriminated against them by not providing sign language interpreters or electronic video interpretation.  Instead of providing such accommodations, the lawsuit alleges, the healthcare staff relied on notes and lip reading in an attempt to communicate with the patients.  The individuals assert that the provider should have trained the staff to recognize when interpretation is necessary, provided a functioning electronic video interpretation system, and instructed the staff on how to use electronic video interpretation.