TYLER - A hearing-impaired woman has filed a lawsuit against a Longview hospital claiming it failed to provide an interpreter.
Christine Webb filed suit against Good Shepherd Medical Center on July 25 in the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division.
According to the lawsuit, Webb has been to the Longview hospital numerous times since 2005 and the hospital has been unable to accommodate her disability.
During several visits Webb attempted to use the Deaf Talk Video Remote Interpreter System but discovered the system was not functioning and the hospital could not repair it. The hospital is also accused of being unable to find a replacement interpreter.
"Defendant denied Ms. Webb full and equal enjoyment of its facilities and services by its staff's refusal to effectively accommodate her disability, in violation of Title III of the ADA, by failing and refusing to provide an interpreter," the lawsuit states.
The defendant is accused of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and Texas law.
The plaintiff is asking the court to issue an injunction to prevent further violations and for an award of statutory damages, attorney's fees and court costs.
Webb is represented by Wayne Krause and James C. Harrington of Texas Civil Rights Project in Austin.
U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider is assigned to the case.
Case No. 6:12-cv-00475