Davis Hospital, Layton, Utah

“Enforcing the ADA – Update” Jan-Mar 2001

A copy of a Press Release can be found on the DOJ website http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

The Davis Hospital and Medical Center in Layton, Utah, reached an agreement with the DOJ to resolve a complaint by a husband and wife, both of whom are deaf, when the hospital failed to provide a sign language interpreter.  The complainants alleged that because of the lack of interpreter, the couple received inadequate information about the husband’s treatment and care options and that the lack effective communication regarding the terminal nature of the husband’s condition denied him the opportunity to talk to family members and friends before he died.  In addition to paying $130,000 in damages to the patient’s wife, the hospital agreed to establish a comprehensive program to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, including patients, their family members and companions.  The hospital also agreed to provide annual training to hospital personnel and affiliated physicians.