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Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 22, 2023, the United States had settled a claim that Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Milwaukee Inc. (“CSM”) failed to provide sign language interpretative services to a patient who is deaf, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). CSM, located on North Lake Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a short-term acute care facility with approximately 400 staffed beds.
Title III of the ADA requires public accommodations to take those steps necessary to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated, or otherwise treated differently because of the absence of appropriate auxiliary aids or services, unless the entity can demonstrate that taking such steps would fundamentally alter the nature of the services being offered or result in an undue burden. A public accommodation must also furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities and with companions of patients who are individuals with disabilities.
As set forth in the Agreement, the Government’s investigation determined the following:
Based on these findings, the United States determined that CSM denied CG appropriate auxiliary aids and services necessary for effective communication during significant facets of her treatment at CSM in December 2017 and January 2018.
Under the settlement agreement, CSM will pay $35,000 to the patient. In addition, CSM has reviewed and revised, as appropriate, its existing policies. CSM has conducted and will conduct additional training on the ADA, and CSM has agreed to report any future complaints of possible ADA violations to federal authorities.
This matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Larsen. For more information on the ADA, visit www.ada.gov/aids. Those interested in finding out more about the obligations of healthcare providers under the ADA may call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY), or access its ADA website at www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed with the Department of Justice at File a Complaint | ADA.gov.
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For further information contact:
Public Information Officer
(414) 297-1700