Two deaf women have filed a federal lawsuit against St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, Md., alleging that the hospital refused to provide or pay for a sign language interpreter when one of the women experienced a medical emergency, according to a Baltimore Sun report.
Jennifer Simmons of Frederick, Md., filed the suit with her mother, Susanna Paulay. The suit claims the hospital discriminated against Ms. Simmons, who had the medical emergency, based on her disability. It claims Ms. Simmons had requested but was denied an interpreter and was unable to effectively communicate with medical personnel.
The suit seeks unspecified damages. In a statement, SJMC said it has appropriate policies to address patients’ need for interpreters. The hospital said it could not address the specifics since it had not yet been served with the suit.
Read the Baltimore Sun report on St. Joseph Medical Center.
Read about other lawsuits involving hospitals:
– 10 Recent Hospital Lawsuits & Settlements
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