West Virginia medical firm settles sign language complaint

[Harold Schiffman]

W.Va. medical firm settles sign language complaint

by The Associated Press
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- A West Virginia medical office has agreed to
settle a federal complaint filed by a patient who alleged his request
for a sign language interpreter was denied. The U.S. Department of
Justice says the settlement with Medbrook Medical Associates Inc.
requires the Bridgeport business to pay a total of $8,000 in
compensatory damages and $1,000 in civil penalties.

Monday's announcement stems from a complaint filed by a man who said
Medbrook denied his request for an interpreter, and required his ill
wife to act as his interpreter even though she didn't feel qualified.
The settlement requires Medbrook to establish a policy and training
program to improve communicate with its patients. A call to Medbrook
for comment was not immediately returned.


-- http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/200812090091
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